How to Build a Lampshade

Lamps are a great accessory for any room. Besides just being functional to divert the light, a lampshade can be made with certain decorations, cutouts, colors and shapes to stand out for any place. Creating your own piece can be fun and invigorating.

Metal wire
Fabric
Cardboard
Decorations
Fabric stiffener
Pliers
Gloves
Glue

Instructions

- 1
  Draw a sketch of the design you would like for the lampshade. Use the pieces already in the room and magazines for inspiration.
- 2
  Measure the area the lamp will be in to see how much room there is. Decide on how big the lampshade will be in reference to the available space.
- 3
  Pick out the material the lampshade will be made out of. Traditional lampshades can be made from fabric, heavy paper, plastic, metal or wood.
- 4
  
  Lay out the shape out of your material. A traditional cone shape is a circle with the center circle cut out. Cut a seam from inner circle to outer circle in a straight line if it is going to be attached to a sturdier material, like cardboard.
- 5
  Add decorations or colors to the material that will be used. If the material needs to be dyed, such as a fabric, do this step now.
- 6
  
  Cut out pieces for design. Use scissors for fabric or paper, router for wood, drill for metal or X-Acta knife for plastic.
- 7
  
  Make supports to hold lampshade around the light bulb. Metal wires can be used, such as an old wire hanger. Use pliers and gloves while bending wire into shape.
- 8
  For flimsy materials, add stiffener such as fabric stiffener so it will keep its shape.
- 9
  
  Attach lampshade material to supports. Then place over the light bulb.
- 10
  Add any last decorations, such as accessories, paints, pins, glitter, or sew-ons.

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