Lampshades are not only used to attenuate the glare of a light bulb: they are much more. If you are a creative decorator, a lampshade can be considered the canvas on which to express your personal style. Below you can find out how to make a difference in a room by creating a cover for your lamp yourself.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Method number one: the Drum Shade
Step 1. Recycle the metal rings from an old lamp
You know that old, ugly lamp in the corner of your desk? Don't let it go to waste! Believe it or not, underneath those old-fashioned fabrics there is a structure in excellent condition that you can reuse. br>
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The structure of some lamps is made up of a single piece, while others have a structure formed by two rings: usually, there is a solid metal ring at the top and a wire circle at the bottom. However, if you are not satisfied, you can find new lampshade rings at home improvement stores.
These instructions are for building a drum lampshade - a nice name for a circular lampshade - which typically consists of two separate rings
Step 2. Assemble the material
If the materials you have are resistant and of excellent quality, it will not be difficult to build a drum lampshade. Make sure you have everything you need before starting. No last-minute trips to the shop!
- Fabric
- Styrene
- Metal rings
- Paperweight pliers
- Fabric glue
- Cotton tape
- Scissors
- Brushes
Step 3. Take your measurements
You probably already have all the material you need, but are the measurements right? First of all, measure the rings, because they are the most difficult pieces to replace.
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The fabric should be at least 2.5cm wider and longer than the width and circumference of the lampshade. You can measure the circumference with either a tape measure or using the old trick of multiplying the diameter by 3.14.
For example, if the diameter of your lampshade is 35 cm, perform the following calculation: 3.14 x 35 = 109.9, which is the circumference of the lampshade. Therefore, you should have at your disposal some fabric that is at least 115 cm long
- To determine the width, you can choose how far apart the two rings are. The standard size is around 31 cm.
Step 4. Cut the fabric and styrene to the correct measurements and shapes
Once you have measured the fabric, you can determine how much styrene you will need to use.
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Styrene should be 2.5cm narrower and 1.25cm shorter than fabric.
Styrene is not easy to glue to synthetic fibers - use linen, cotton or silk
Step 5. Wrap the metal rings with the cotton tape
This procedure is used to customize the lamp, cover any rusty points of the cable, and finally coordinate the interior of the lamp with the rest of the room. Be sure to wrap all the rings and spokes of the structure.
- You can find cotton tapes in different colors and patterns.
- Use quick-drying fabric glue and be sure to apply it directly to the rings, not the cotton tape. When you finish wrapping the tape, cut off the excess and make the fabric adhere well.
Step 6. Remove the protective layer from the styrene a little at a time
As you do this, apply the styrene on the fabric, making sure that no air bubbles form and that it is straight.
Leave 1.25 cm of extra material on three sides - two of the long sides and one short side. Make sure there is no styrene on the fourth side
Step 7. Glue the short sides together
Put a little glue on about 1 cm of still free fabric and fold it on the other side. This way you should have a circle in your hands - the cloth-covered metal ring.
Put weights in the inner core and let it dry for 10 minutes. Then, try rolling your creation on a surface to see if it keeps a tubular shape
Step 8. Apply the paper clip pliers
They are usually black and metallic. Make sure that the spring part of the clamp adheres to the metal frame
Use 4 or 5 pliers on each side
Step 9. Spread some glue on the fabric
Start from the top, using a brush to distribute a thin layer of glue on the part of the fabric that remains uncovered (about 1 cm). Remove the pliers as you proceed with gluing.
Step 10. Fold the fabric around the metal rings
Don't worry if it doesn't fit perfectly on the first lap. Fold it over so that it is a little loose, then pass it over to smooth out any imperfections.
Repeat these last two steps for both ends. Wait 15 minutes after each step in order to leave enough time for drying
Method 2 of 3: Method number two: Panel Lampshade
Step 1. Get organized
This project is much easier to do if you arrange everything you need neatly in front of you before you begin. Clear the surface so you have all the tools in order. Settle down next to the sewing machine if you have one. br>
- Metal wire structure
- Fabric
- Scissors
- Needle and thread
- Tape
- Glue
- Muslin
- Lining (optional)
- Decorations (optional)
Step 2. Remove the old fabric from the frame
It is very easy to do. If the structure were to bend during this operation, simply reshape it to make it return to its original position.
No rings are used for the panel lampshade. A paneled lampshade can be triangular, rectangular, square, hexagonal or bell-shaped. This tutorial is valid for each of these shapes
Step 3. Wrap the spokes with tape
The beams are vertical cables that give the right shape to the panel. If you want to be more daring, you can also wrap the outer part of the structure.
Use a hot glue gun. Put a drop of glue at the beginning of the ribbon and another at the end, to attach them. Repeat this process for each spoke
Step 4. Wrap muslin on each side of the panel to create a pattern
Leave about 0.63 cm of margin for each side. This is important: if the structure is uniform, only one panel will suffice. But if for example your lampshade is rectangular in shape, you have to create a pattern for each panel of a different size.
Use chalk or a permanent marker to mark the structure of the rays that make up the panel on the muslin. Use staples to hold the panel in tension
Step 5. Cut out the fabric for each panel
You will need to get as many pieces of fabric as there are sides of the structure. Again, if there are panels of different sizes, remember to cut the fabric according to the various measurements and make sure to always leave the margin of about 0.63 cm.
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If you also use the lining, remember to cut the latter of the same shape and size.
If the fabric is heavy enough, you can also skip the lining
Step 6. Join the vertical seams
Arrange the panels on the same side and sew them together (it is advisable to sew them from the inside of the fabric). If they have different sizes, be sure to sew them in the right order.
Do the same for the lining if you are using one
Step 7. Line up the seams with the spokes of the frame
Turn the fabric over (so that the seams go inside) and place it on the structure. Arrange it appropriately and stitch the excess fabric over the ribbon-covered spokes using a needle and thread.
Step 8. Glue the top and bottom ends
Pull the fabric and keep it taut, then secure it to the structure with a few drops of hot glue. Cut off any excess fabric if you have leftover.
Step 9. Insert the padding (optional)
Pin the padding on the inside of the lampshade. Aligning the seams to the spokes as you did with the fabric, use the invisible hem technique to join the padding inside the fabric. With this technique you will get a clean and well-finished hem.
If you have doubts about adding padding, put the lampshade against the light. If you are satisfied with the amount of light that passes, leave it as it is
Step 10. Add decorations (optional)
Available in all DIY stores, decorations (beads, tassels, etc.) are used to personalize your creation.
All it takes is a little hot glue and a few more minutes, so why not do it?
Method 3 of 3: Method number three: Lampshade made from Fabric Scraps
Step 1. Measure your structure
How much space is there between the upper and lower metal cable? How wide is the circumference? If you are working on a paneled lampshade, all you have to do is take the measurements of each panel; if you are working on a cylindrical structure, measure the circumference (diameter x 3.14).
This process is necessary to understand how much fabric you will need to cover the entire lampshade and to determine both the length and the width of the strips
Step 2. Cut out strips of fabric
In this way the lampshade will be truly personalized. Use a single type of material if you want to give the lampshade a more disused tone, or have fun coordinating colors and patterns with each other. The only thing you need to do is make sure the strips are long enough!
- Leave half an inch of extra fabric to make the hem. It will be used to wrap the fabric around the wire frame.
- If the lamp measures approximately 50cm, make sure the fabric is at least 55cm wide. It has to be enough to cover the metal cables so they don't show. Of course, you can keep an even higher fabric margin to make sure you cover the cables well. If each strip is about 5cm, make sure you have at least 11 strips in total.
Step 3. Decorate the fabric and edges with bows
The work will look neater and more professional, while at the same time preventing the fabric from fraying.
The edges will only be seen from the inside of the lamp. If you don't have the time or inclination to apply tapes, a simple finish will suffice
Step 4. Attach the fabric strips to the top and bottom edges of the lampshade
Using the margin (about 1.25 cm) on both sides, secure the fabric strips at the top with a stapler, hot glue or needle and thread. Repeat the same process for the bottom edge of the structure.
- If you use hot glue to attach the fabric to the wire, remember that you will no longer be able to reassemble the fabric once it is glued.
- If you're using a spot welder, it's a good idea to add decorations around the edges to cover the staples.
Step 5. Arrange the strips and decorations (optional)
You can add material if you used the spot welder or needle and thread. Arrange the decorations to give the lampshade the look you prefer.
You can add beads, tassels or other bows along the top and bottom edges of the lampshade to cover any imperfections or simply to add a touch of style
Advice
- When you have to choose the fabric for a lampshade, always place it against the light (for example against a window) to see the effect of the light through the material. Thicker fabrics will let less light through, which would create unwanted effects.
- Always keep a damp paper towel handy to remove excess glue during application.
- Instead of decorating the fabric, try using only velvet or bows. Just glue the velvet along the edges.
