How to Make Your Own Lampshade

Depending on the type of lampshade you want to create, the materials will vary. In this example, I will be detailing how to make a basic cylinder drum lampshade. The materials that are needed will be:

1. Lampshade wire rings (top and bottom);

2. Styrene PVC cut to size;

3. Lampshade tape;

4. Fabric glue;

5. Fabric of choice also cut to size;

6. Fabric scissors;

7. Iron;

8. Pinking shears (optional); and

9. Squeegee (optional).

Make sure that the fabric being used is well ironed and free of any wrinkles. Using the steam function helps greatly with cotton and linen fabrics.

Place fabric down with the printed side facing down. Make sure there is no thread or debric on fabric. I like to use a lint roller to make sure there is nothing on the fabric. Place the styrene with the outer wrapper facing down onto the fabric. Make sure that there is approximately 1 inch around the styrene. This will be trimmed at a later time using pinking shears.

Place a heavy paperweight to the right side of the styrene to hold everything down so that when the styrene is transferred, it does not move. Very carefully, pick up the left side of the styrene, making sure it does not move around, peel off the wrapper and place carefully down onto the fabric, moving in small sections. Fold the wrapper underneath, give it a crease and using a squeegee or your palms, press down and make sure that the adhesive side sticks to the fabric. The squeegee is fantastic for making sure the fabric sticks and transfers on smoothly. Then pull the remaining wrapper paper until its completely off. Use your hands or squeegee to smooth the whole styrene onto the fabric.

Flip the left side of the styrene to the right and use a sharp pair of fabric scissors to trim the fabric right to the end of the styrene as close as possible so there is no fabric or thread remaining. Smooth it down with one finger to see if anything was missed, if so, use the scissors to trim any excess.

Flip the styrene back right side up and here the right side will have the inch around the styrene. This will need to be trimmed to roughly half an inch or how wide the lampshade tape is. Try to cut into a straight line and use a ruler or straight edge if needed.

Use the lampshade tape to place along the edge of the styrene where the seam will be where it was just trimmed. Trim off the end with some scissors.

Pull the left edge over and run thin lampshade tape along the side of the fabric. This is to ensure that the flap stays down when putting the seam together.

Place the rings in front of you. Using the lampshade tape, carefully run the tape along the edge of the rings until it is fully covered for both the top and bottom ring. Run hands through it to make sure it is fully adhesed onto the rings.

Pull the lampshade tape wrapper that runs along the right side where the seam will be. Carefully fold the fabric over and press down and make sure it is sealed down tight. Place another layer of tape over this folded seam. The best tape to use is seamstick or soft furnishing tape. 

Place the rings appropriately and use a heavy weight to ensure the top rings does not fall over. Once the rings are both aligned properly, take the weight off and using both hands carefully roll the rings to the seam. Make sure the rings stay on the very edge of the styrene and doesn't stray onto the fabric.

At the top of the shade, notice where all the spokes are and cut directly below them. This will make it easy to fold the fabric over for finishing. 

Once all the fabric is cut at the corresponding spokes, use the pinking shears or fabric scissors to trim around the shade further. It is helpful to leave about half an inch of fabric to tuck underneath the rings. Remember not to make it too short or too long, half an inch tends to be an ideal size.

Flip the lampshade and make sure to cut around the bottom part as well also leaving roughly half an inch.

Start pulling gently and tuck the sheared fabric down towards the rings and secure down for both the top and bottom. The adhesive from the lampshade tape should hold the fabric down.

Grab the shade by the top rings, hold secure and press the fabric further into the rings.

Using a tool, start tucking the fabric in and under the rings to secure. It can sometimes take a little pressure to slide the fabric underneath. Then proceed to work your way around the full shade.

The best tools to use for this particular step can be clay sculpting tools, old credit card, butter knife, flat head screwdriver, etc.

Once everything is tucked in, a final check and tidy up is needed to ensure no thread or loose fabric is around the rings. Turn the shade to the side and get your head inside when doing the final tuck to create the smooth rolled edges.

Once everything looks tidy and neat, it is time to close up the seam. Carefully pull the adhesive wrapper off the inner and outer seams and carefully stick down together. You can use a roller or your hands to make sure it has stuck down well. Make sure that the leftover flap is also tucked in, using some fabric glue also helps to keep it tucked down.