How to Build Lamp Shades
- 1). Select a fabric to make into a lampshade. A dark color will not pass as much light. Iron your fabric to remove all creases.
- 2). Select a one-piece cylindrical style lamp shade frame for your first shade. Lampshade supplies can be purchased in some craft and lamp stores or online. Measure from the top circular wire to the bottom circular wire for the height of your shade. Select a rigid, semi-transparent, self-adhesive type lampshade backing material. Purchase the backing material to this height.
- 3). Attach the back of your fabric to a lampshade backing material. Place your fabric face down on a table. Peel back the release paper 1 inch on the back of the backing material. Place the adhesive against the back of the fabric and smooth. Slowly pull the release paper with one hand while smoothing the two pieces together with your other hand.
- 4). Measure from the top to the bottom wire and add 1 inch for your fabric height. Measure around the circumference of the bottom circle and add 1/2 inch for your fabric overlap. Cut your fabric to these measurements.
- 5). Place your fabric face down on the table. Apply 1/4-inch double-sided sticky tape for fabric along the top edge of the backing material. Apply a 1/2-inch line of tape along the top edge of the fabric. Apply a 1/4-inch tape line along the bottom edge of the backing material. Apply a 1/2-inch tape line along the bottom edge of the fabric. Apply a 1/2-inch tape line along one side of the fabric.
- 6). Place the wire frame so a vertical side wire aligns with the side of the fabric. Position the top and bottom wires over the 1/4-inch double sticky tape after peeling off the release paper. Roll the frame so the wire attaches at top and bottom evenly. Place a bull clamp over the fabric and wire to help hold the fabric to the frame.
- 7). Peel away the release paper on the side tape and overlap the side tape over the other side of the fabric once you have completed the circle. Press the top and bottom wires into the tape by running your fingers back around each circle to make sure the adhesive and the frame are well joined.
- 8). Stand the lamp shade upright. Tuck the fabric and tape to the center around the bottom frame. Peel the 1/2-inch tape on the fabric, and starting at your clamp, press the fabric smoothly and evenly to the inside of the shade. Remove the clamp. Turn the lamp shade upside down and repeat along the bottom edge.
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