How to make a lampshade yourself?

Lampshade in macrame technique

A lamp (chandelier) in macrame style is one of the most popular options for decorating table lamps and floor lamps. You need to master several options for knitting knots and lace patterns, on the basis of which you can develop an unusual unique design.

To make a lighting fixture (chandelier), you will need:

• lampshade metal rings (aluminum) of different diameters;

• small ring (aluminum);

• waxed cotton cord;

• lace;

• wooden bead with a large hole;

• scissors.

Steps execution:

1. Prepare the threads: 32 pieces, 100 cm long, and 16 pieces, 70 cm long.

2. Take 1 thread, 100 cm long, fold it in half and tie it to a metal ring, holding it with your hands.

3. Do the same with the remaining long blanks.

4. Take 2 paired blanks and tie the outer threads with 2 flat knots. The operation is repeated with all the ropes.

5. Cross 3 threads under the metal ring so that they divide the circle into 3 equal sectors.

6. Pull the threads together and tie a loop.

7. Hang the chandelier vertically on the hook.

8. Start weaving the walls of the chandelier, tying flat knots in a checkerboard pattern.

9. Go through 5 rows with the ropes and start weaving to expand, pulling the knots towards you. Form a lace-like pattern.

10. Soon attach the bottom ring. It should be secured with knots from the next row.

11. Tie 4 threads to the top ring so that they divide the circle into equal parts.

12. Tie a piece of cord to the small ring as well.

13. Connect the threads. They should be secured with wire.

14. The ends are folded into a bundle and threaded through the hole of a wooden bead.

15. A rope is woven from 2 adjacent threads of the bundle using Hercules knots.

16. The ends are folded and threaded through the hole of the bead so that a loop is formed.

17. The ends are tied under the bead.

18. The excess ends are removed.

19. The lampshade is hung and the lower threads are trimmed evenly. If desired, you can make lace patterns along the edges.

Fabric (burlap) lampshade

A homemade burlap lampshade looks simple and original. It is very easy to make it yourself, you just need a large piece of linen material.

Materials and tools:

• lampshade ring;

• round base made of MDF sheet;

• fabric (burlap);

• jute rope (or linen);

• needle with a large eye;

• stapler loaded with staples;

• scissors.

Steps to follow:

1. Make a pattern. Measure a distance from the edge of the fabric that corresponds to the length of the ring’s circumference. Leave another 2 cm for seam allowances and pull out the thread to mark the edge.

2. Measure the height in the same way.

3. Complete the pattern.

4. Form a pattern along the fabric by pulling out 3 adjacent transverse threads every 5 cm.

5. Using the same method, pull out the longitudinal threads with your hands and put them aside.

6. Wrap the ring with jute rope.

7. Carefully set fire to the protruding hairs with a flame.

8. Wrap the fabric around the ring and mark the place where the seam will be applied.

9. Put the thread through the needle and sew the fabric by hand.

10. To prevent the edge from fraying, overcast stitches are applied with thread.

11. Align the edges.

12. Sew the ring to the top of the edge.

13. The second edge should be secured with staples to a round MDF base.

14. Screw the lamp to the beam (or ceiling).

Photo lampshade

An original lamp with a collage of personal photos is a very good gift for loved ones. It is used as a room decoration. You can use fabric with a printed image as a base.

Materials and tools:

• old lampshade;

• parchment paper (or tracing paper);

• narrow tape;

• computer with a photo editor installed;

• laser printer;

• scissors.

Steps of execution:

1. Using a photo editing program, create a collage, taking into account the dimensions lampshade and parchment paper. Leave small margins of 1-3 cm. If necessary, divide the collage so that each part fits on a standard sheet.

2. Print the collage on parchment paper. Trim the edges if necessary.

3. Wrap around the lampshade. The joint, upper and lower edges are carefully fixed with tape.

Spherical lampshade made of yarn

A homemade lampshade made of threads (yarn) is made without a frame. To implement the idea of such a decor, you will only need a temporary base, for which a balloon will do. It is inflated and wrapped with threads, which are then glued. If you weave several of these items, you can make a large and unusual lamp.

Materials and tools:

• balloon (spherical);

• wool thread (yarn) of the desired color;

• PVA glue;

• warm water;

• a tool with a sharp blade.

Steps of execution:

1. Prepare the adhesive composition: mix PVA with water in a ratio of 1:2, obtaining a liquid consistency.

2. Unwind the ball of yarn and completely immerse the thread in the mixture.

3. Inflate a latex balloon and tie the end (pucka). Its size should correspond to the desired dimensions of the lampshade. To inflate the balloon, you can use a pump.

4. Draw a circle on the balloon that corresponds to the boundaries of the main opening of the lampshade.

5. Wrap the end of the rope around the tip of the balloon, calculating that when the work is completed, the pucka can be easily pulled out.

6. Wrap the balloon with threads in a random order. The main thing is that the frame of the finished product is beautiful and does not have too many gaps.

7. The inner part of the circle is left clean.

8. The end is wrapped around the thread and a small knot is tied.

9. The edges of the lampshade opening are aligned, focusing on the boundaries of the drawn circle.

10. The product is dried. When the frame takes a stable shape, the ball is pierced with a sharp tool and carefully removed.

11. The lampshade is left until it is completely dry.

Lampshade with a composition

You can create a product with a finished composition with your own hands, which will fit well into the interior of a child’s room.

Materials and tools:

• metal lampshade rings;

• garden wire mesh (chain-link);

• floristic wire;

• tree branches;

• bird figurines;

• universal aerosol enamel;

• PVA glue.