DIY No-sew Fabric Lampshades

Stylish no-sew lampshades can be made at very little cost and in next to no time - all you need is a piece of fabric that coordinates with your room scheme.

Next time you make curtains or have your sofa re-upholstered, buy a little extra fabric to cover a lampshade. Alternatively, any fabric remnant can be used. The slope of the lampshade will dictate the amount of fabric needed, but a coolie shade with a 13 inch (33cm) diameter will require a piece approximately half a meter square. Drum lampshades will use less fabric than a similarly sized coolie shade. Trace the pattern on to newspaper first to work out amounts, before buying the fabric. Buy an inexpensive lampshade or recover your existing one and a tube of all purpose adhesive from a big craft store and you are ready to go.

The most important part of this project is cutting out the fabric to fit the lampshade exactly, with just enough fabric overlapping to glue down in a rolled edge finish. Wrap the fabric round the lampshade at each stage and make any necessary adjustments.

One the shade has been covered you can add trimmings and other embellishments - braiding, beading, lace, ribbons or tassels - anything that catches your fancy can be used as a final decorative flourish.

What you will need:

• Lampshade
• Newspaper
• Soft pencil
• Scissors
• Fabric
• All purpose solvent-free adhesive
• Trimmings (optional)

Making the pattern - Place shade, seam down, on newspaper and mark the top and base seam position. Starting from the seam and tracing around base with a soft pencil, gently roll the shade until you reach the seam again. Roll the shade back along the traced base line, this time tracing the top edge. Add a 1 inch (2.5cm) seam allowance to curved outer edges of the pattern and 3/8 inch (1cm) to straight ends. Cut out the pattern and use to work out the amount of fabric needed.

Checking the fit - Wrap the pattern around the lampshade to check the fit and make any adjustments that are necessary. There should be an overlap of ¾ inch (2cm) on the straight ends and an extra 1 inch (2.5cm) top and bottom.