DIY Floral Lampshade

A couple of weeks ago while in London, I paid an obligatory visit to the third floor my favorite and one of the most iconic stores in the world: Liberty of London. After pulling bolts and bolts of Liberty fabric from the shelves, I eventually walked away with enough DIY supplies and material to hold me over until my next British stopover. It also didn’t take me long to whip together an incredibly simple DIY, upon my return, using a couple of sweet floral prints. This floral lampshade is a breeze to make and a fantastic way to utilize fabric without having to use a sewing machine!

You’ll need:

Start by finding the crosswise grain of the fabric, which is perpendicular to the selvedge edges, which are always the outside edges. Make half inch slits into one side of the selvedge edge every 1.5 – 1.75 inches or so. Then rip! Ripping the fabric crosswise will tear nice, even strips of fabric. (Click images to enlarge)

The lampshade frame used in this tutorial measures 8 inches in top diameter, 14 inches in bottom diameter, and 11 inches in slant height. I’ve used approximately 25 33 inch strips of fabric. Remove any excess threads from the edges and iron the strips flat if necessary.

Fold the end of the first strip over the top ring of the metal lampshade frame and with a needle and tread, secure it in place with a few stitches.

Take the strip down over the outside of the frame, then inside the frame and back over the top. Because the top diameter is smaller than the bottom, I’ve overlapped the top section approximately 3/4 of an inch and the bottom approximately 1/4 of an inch. Trim the edge of the strip once it has run out and stitch it closed. Sew on the next strip at the same point and continue binding.

To get around the horizontal struts at the top of the metal frame, simply make a small slit in the edge of the fabric.

Once the binding is complete, either use the same fabric to bind the edges or use a contrasting color and pattern. For the binding edge, tear two 3 inch strips crosswise.

Fold over an inch of the fabric, pressing it flat with an iron. Adhere the double sided tape along the inside hem.

Start sticking the tape around the top edge of the lampshade, peeling off the paper backing little by little. Fold the tape over the edge.

Make small slits to work around the horizontal struts.

Repeat the same step around the bottom edge. If the fabric isn’t long enough to go around the bottom ring, two strips can be hand-stitched together before folding.

Your Liberty of London lampshade is finished. Try adding some pom pom trim or fringe to the bottom of the shade for some more pizzaz! Remember that fabric shades should always be used with a low wattage light bulb, which emits a low level of heat. xx

(all images by HonestlyWTF, tutorial adapted from The Liberty Book of Home Sewing)

Leave a Comment

94 Comments

  1. Amy wrote:

    Gorgeous! I love the choice of fabric you’ve used.

    7.17.12
    Reply
  2. Tabetha wrote:

    Love these quick & easy projects!

    http://aclosetintellectual.blogspot.com/

    7.17.12
    Reply
  3. This is so charming.

    ~Natasha Fatah~
    ~Natasha Fatah~

    7.17.12
    Reply
  4. natalie wrote:

    such a fabulous idea! love it! http://www.fashionifancy.com

    7.17.12
    Reply
  5. Oh pretty nice… this can also be made from different strips of fabrics (alw leftover form other DIY). Love it.

    http://lovelaughliveme.wordpress.com/

    7.17.12
    Reply
  6. What an awesome idea! Great for old clothes made out of cool fabric.

    7.17.12
    Reply
  7. Votre Amie wrote:

    What a great project! I adore the fabrics you chose – I swear I’ve got a dress that’s got accents of that blue one! wild! This is definitely on my projects to try list!
    x
    http://www.iloveublank.blogspot.com

    7.17.12
    Reply
  8. Littlelulu wrote:

    This so cute and girly!!!

    http://lovelittlelulu.blogspot.gr/

    7.17.12
    Reply
  9. great idea!
    I have to try it:)
    greetings

    7.17.12
    Reply
  10. It’s so cute! Still so jealous that you made it to Liberty – dying to go someday! xo

    7.17.12
    Reply
  11. samantha wrote:

    Good idea!
    Tanks and kisses

    http://blog.justwm.com/

    7.17.12
    Reply
  12. style-xyz wrote:

    really pretty!

    7.17.12
    Reply
  13. RebaJonez wrote:

    truly lovely! thanks for the tutorial.

    7.17.12
    Reply
  14. Margot wrote:

    So sweet and cute. Love it!

    7.17.12
    Reply
  15. And btw a snazzy fabric lampshade can really give a room an extra oomph, like a great belt or scarf can do for an outfit.

    7.17.12
    Reply
  16. Carol wrote:

    I loved it!
    I’m posting looks from Los Angeles and amazing accessories:

    http://www.thegavlaks.com

    7.17.12
    Reply
  17. Julie Khuu wrote:

    Incredible! You are soooo meticulous at your DIY’s, I’m really envious of all that attention to fine detail! The subtle pleating is really what makes this shade stand out…such a high-end look for a fraction of the cost! Love this idea since I’ve got tons of scrap materials leftover from client projects! Brilliant!

    xo-Julie
    Peace. Love. LOL!

    Haute Khuuture Blog

    7.17.12
    Reply
  18. Very cute! Won’t the strips fray, though?

    7.17.12
    Reply
  19. This reminds me of my Liberty of London lamp shade

    7.17.12
    Reply
  20. Betsy wrote:

    I am definitely going to try this! Thanks!

    http://www.suspironews.blogspot.com

    7.17.12
    Reply
  21. brilliant!

    Bises,
    monkeyshines
    monkeyshines-monkeyshines.blogspot.com

    7.17.12
    Reply
  22. Güler wrote:

    great idea!

    my DIYs —-> gkdone.blogspot.com

    7.17.12
    Reply
  23. Ooohhh! Can’t wait to try this!

    So creative! Thanks for sharing!

    Chelsea
    heelsandsunkissedcurls.com
    lucibelldesigns.storenvy.com

    7.17.12
    Reply
  24. Michelle S wrote:

    liberty print lighting… genius.

    http://www.prettydinos.com

    7.17.12
    Reply
  25. Hi!
    I’m from Brazil and i saw your blog on signature9 and i’ll be really glad and honor if you check my website and give your opinion! I’m on this blog thing for 3 years.
    Congrats for your blog btw, it’s awesome!
    XOXO
    tomaraquecaiaagora.com
    @blogTQCA
    facebook.com/tomaraquecaiaagora

    7.17.12
    Reply
  26. Bella wrote:

    This is such a cute idea! The finished product is quirky but elegant at the same time.

    7.17.12
    Reply
  27. Jasmine wrote:

    wow very inspiring! this makes me want to make one! 🙂

    xo

    turquoiseinlove.blogspot.com

    7.17.12
    Reply
  28. I truly admire people who can make things….like a lampshade and it looks good! I am not one of those people who have that talent but give me a credit card…………..

    7.17.12
    Reply
  29. allison wrote:

    THIS is amazing!!
    🙂
    Allison

    P.S. I’m having an INTERNATIONAL $75 Shopbop giveaway on my blog, so don’t forget to enter! 🙂
    A’s Fashion Files
    $75 Shopbop Giveaway!

    7.17.12
    Reply
  30. Vaishnavi wrote:

    oh!! thats simply beautiful!!

    aonecentlife.blogspot.com

    7.18.12
    Reply
  31. Wicked DIY idea Emma Louise Layla Xx

    7.18.12
    Reply
  32. Love it!!!

    7.18.12
    Reply
  33. Ira wrote:
    7.18.12
    Reply
  34. Great DIY! Looks really beautiful!!!

    7.18.12
    Reply
  35. It a wonderful project, i love this lampshade, is perfect for my house!

    http://lesjolieschosesbypaulette.blogspot.it/

    7.18.12
    Reply
  36. HeadTilt wrote:

    thats a gorgeous DIY!

    7.19.12
    Reply
  37. mya wrote:

    Hi,

    I love the fabric so much 🙂

    http://cempakasartandcraft.blogspot.com

    x

    7.20.12
    Reply
  38. Car wrote:

    I truely appreciate this info. Great job . Creativety really works.

    7.21.12
    Reply
  39. Bug wrote:

    What a lovely idea, and looks much easier to do than at first glance!

    Bug @ STYLEoverSENSE

    7.23.12
    Reply
  40. Sara wrote:

    tried with a square lampshade and it looks awesome!!! great diy

    7.31.12
    Reply
  41. Nanette wrote:

    Wow so pretty I love the material used they complement each other really well.

    8.30.12
    Reply
  42. Güler wrote:

    my DIYs———–> http://www.facebook.com/doneGK
    like plz:)

    9.3.12
    Reply
  43. olive turingan wrote:

    so cute….

    9.14.12
    Reply
  44. LoltheJazzy wrote:

    so cute flowers 🙂 I’d like to do it 2…

    11.3.12
    Reply
  45. Emmas mor wrote:

    Nice diy;)

    12.22.12
    Reply
  46. Becky wrote:

    This looks amazing. However, I’m probably being paranoid but I’m scared about the fire safety implications? Is it safe? Is normal lampshade fabric treated to make it fire-proof? Because if it’s safe I’d love to try it 🙂

    1.22.13
    Reply
  47. Barbara wrote:

    QUESTION: Fabric and heat from light bulb (75-150 watt)…would that be safe? Seems the material might be a fire hazard???? Otherwise, awesome, quick n simple idea…using material of one’s choice n decor

    3.12.13
    Reply
  48. Kiri wrote:

    Awesome DIY… if you can’t find the same type of lampshade frame that Erica used, try a DIY lampshade kit which has everything you need to make a drum lampshade from scratch using your own fabric. http://www.ilikethatlamp.com/kits/

    6.28.14
    Reply
  49. Tracy wrote:

    Question on the final step. Taped piece is secured around outside of lamp, folded over, then what? Do you add more tape so the folded piece lays flat and snug? Especially on the bottom, seems like it would just unfold and flop down.
    Looks very nice
    Thanks

    1.18.15
    Reply
  50. Caroline wrote:

    Hi, love the idea of using material. I have used string and wool before to revamp old lampshade frames. Thay works just as well. Thanks for sharing your idea.

    5.24.15
    Reply
  51. lyndsie wrote:

    I have same concern as some of the girls… Isn’t the material a fire hazard?

    10.25.15
    Reply
  52. This lamp is too beautiful, perfect and simple work. Thank you for sharing knowledge.

    3.12.18
    Reply
  53. Jeri wrote:

    I have a lampshade that was wrecked and is not replaceable now I can repair the shade and use my favorite lamp again.

    9.23.18
    Reply
  54. Linda Ward wrote:

    This is the best site I’ve ever seen! Most detailed I’ve ever seen. Great!!

    5.20.20
    Reply
  55. If you’ve got any resources to hekp learn how to sow lampshades, please let me know. Thank you for your precious advice and example.

    2.8.21
    Reply
  56. Jenny wrote:

    This seems like the level of project I can do! Is it safe fire wise though to simply wrap cotton round? Bought lampshades tend to have a fire retardant layer.

    2.6.23
    Reply