DIY Drum Shades

Measure the circumference of your top ring. Add 1/2 inch to the length. Decide on the height of your shade and add 1 inch. The top and bottom rings are sold at most lamp supply companies in the size of drum you want to make. Buy one of each.

Cut lampshade paper to your measurement size. Draw a straight line 1/2 inch from the top and bottom edges of the lampshade on the back side of the lampshade paper. These will act as a glue line guide.

Stand the rings up on edge. Place a ruler from one ring to the other at the correct distance apart. Clamp the ruler to the ring with a bulldog clamp. Repeat two more times so the rulers are evenly spaced apart and the rings are parallel to each other.

Place a pile of bulldog clamps off to the side of your work area. Position the paper face side down and flat on a table or other flat surface surface. Apply a 3-inch bead of lampshade paper glue, starting at one end of the paper. Follow the pencil line on the top and bottom of the paper. Position the rings over the paper so the rings line up with the glue and pencil lines. Glue the first 3 inches of the paper to the rings. Apply a bulldog clamp to the starting position of the paper on each ring.

Apply glue to the next 3 inches of paper. Roll the rings in the glue. Clamp every 5 inches. Remove the clamped rulers when the rings near the ruler as you are gluing and rolling. It is important to keep the rings straight and level during your gluing process. Glue all of the paper onto the rings. There should be 1/2 inch of extra paper beyond each ring. When you reach the beginning, apply 1/2 inch of glue to the edge of the papers where they overlap and then reattach the clamp to hold the papers snug while the shade is drying. Allow the shade to dry for eight hours.

Make small 3/8-inch cuts in the extra paper along the top and bottom edges at every inch. Cut where the crossbars of the ring frame connect. Apply lampshade glue to the back side of the paper flaps, and press them into smooth contact with the inside of the shade. Use clamps to hold the glued paper in place. Allow the glue to dry for four hours or until there is a strong bond and no residual moisture.

Apply lampshade or fabric tape to the front of the shade so that half of the tape will be on each side of the ring. Tape the outside of the lampshade first so half of the tape is sticking up above the shade. Make cuts in the tape before pressing it over to cover the inside of the shade. Repeat for the bottom edge. Measure and cut trim or ribbon to fit along the top and bottom edge. Hot-glue the trim or ribbon in place.