There’s no scarcity of lamp shades on the thrift retailer and so they’re often tremendous reasonably priced, which makes them the proper DIY challenge! I’ve been swooning over a pleated lamp shade for some time however they’ll value fairly a bit! I’m going to indicate you find out how to make your personal for a fraction of the worth.
I discovered this little lamp base on the thrift retailer for $10 and couldn’t move it up. It didn’t include a shade so I bought this tapered lamp shade on-line. For some motive after I purchased it, it was solely $25 and now it’s doubled in worth…suspicious! However you would take a look at thrift shops for a less expensive one.
SUPPLIES FOR A PLEATED LAMP SHADE
There are just a few other ways you can also make a pleated lamp shade and I adopted another tutorials first, utilizing the material in a single piece and folding as you go. In case your lamp shade is a drum form then this methodology works nice. However you probably have a extra tapered shade like I do, then you definately’ll need to comply with my methodology.
STEPS TO MAKE A PLEATED LAMP SHADE
STEP 1
Reduce your material into strips. You’ll need your strips to be about 2 inches longer than the shade on each ends. I made my strips about 2.5 inches large however you’ll be able to modify this relying on how large you need your pleats to be. Take note you’ll be folding the strips in half, in order that would be the measurement of your pleats.
STEP 2
Glue your first pleat down onto the lamp shade. I began on the again seam. You’ll need to begin with a line of glue vertically down the shade and place the correct aspect of your strip on the glue. You’ll then fold your strip in half and glue that down as effectively. It’s also possible to then glue beneath the pleat in order that it stays flat towards the shade.
You possibly can positively fold your pleats in half and press them first earlier than glueing if you happen to wished them to put faltter in your shade.
STEP 3
Repeat this course of by glueing all of your strips down and partially overlapping them. I discovered that with a tapered shade, it’s worthwhile to angle your strips barely. So with every pleat, you want the highest to overlap the earlier pleat greater than the underside.
That can assist you do that, apply your glue at an angle on the earlier pleat. See beneath picture for reference!
When you get again to the place you began, you might have to regulate the dimensions of your pleats/spacing to suit all of them in.
STEP 4
Trim the surplus material off your pleats on the highest and backside however hold about an inch.
STEP 5
Fold your pleats beneath the shade and glue them down on the within.
At this level you now have two decisions. You may both depart it like this and clear up the within edges, or you’ll be able to add an out of doors seam along with your bias tape. I didn’t love the best way my seam turned out on my first try of this shade, so I made a decision to go away it as is.
I did need to clear up the highest inside edge although since you’ll be able to see it from above if you take a look at the lamp.
STEP 6
Utilizing your bias tape, lower a chunk of your material at a forty five diploma angle on the bias. This permits it to stretch extra because you’ll be inserting it on a spherical, tapered object.
STEP 7
Utilizing an iron, press the material right down to mimic the form of the tape.
STEP 8
Utilizing your scorching glue gun, glue down the bias tape across the inside edge of cloth to cowl up the frayed edges.
You possibly can additionally do the underside edge however I opted to not because it’s not seen. Look how cute it seems to be!! I like that the pleats aren’t absolutely glued down and it provides the shade some extra dimension.
I gave my base a fast paint replace utilizing an array of paint samples I had and mixing in some baking soda for some added texture.
That is how the highest seam seems to be from above – good and clear!
And viola! I’m obsessive about this cute little lamp with a pleated shade! Isn’t it lovable?
I bought some questions asking if the warmth from the sunshine bulb is secure with the material on the shade. My bulb is fairly low wattage and doesn’t appear to get too scorching however you would additionally use an LED bulb which might be very secure!
From the beginning, I knew precisely the place I wished to place this little lamp. It seems to be so good in our new kitchen and if you happen to don’t have a lamp in your kitchen, I extremely suggest it. I hope you’re impressed to make your personal pleated lamp shade!
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