Handmade Lampshades

Synopsis

Illuminate your home décor with Handmade Lampshades. This inspiring, tantalizing project book shines a light on the most artistic, well made, innovative, and beautiful lampshades you can now make yourself. Bursting with 750 gorgeous photographs to spark your creativity, as well as a multitude of tried-and-true tips and ideas, Handmade Lampshades features 16 contemporary projects presented in useful step-by-step tutorials. The tutorials make it easier than you would ever imagine! In addition to the huge, pictorial lampshade gallery, which will fuel your own ideas, Handmade Lampshades provides comprehensive techniques you need to know to construct stunning lampshade designs that are fundamentally sound.

You'll learn how to:

• Create a soft-sided lampshade using hand stitching, hand stitching and glue, or machine stitching
• Apply laminated PVC to create a drum shade, pleating, and balloon linings
• Avoid the cost of a shop-bought lampshade and create something equally, if not more beautiful, as well as totally unique
• PLUS, there's a detailed chapter dedicated solely to the different techniques you'll need to know in order to make a fabric lampshade for yourself

Create a stunning focal point for any room in your home. A striking lampshade can spark an entire look for a bedroom, office, or family room. And the fact that you made it yourself makes it even more interesting. With Handmade Lampshades, you'll encounter today's most creative lampshade makers and find out how they make their masterpieces. And at the end of the book, there's a useful resources section plus a visual feast for the eyes: several pages of nothing but beautiful lampshades.

Start turning the pages and let Handmade Lampshades inspire your bright ideas. Design and make a lampshade that suits your personal style and home décor, instead of purchasing an expensive, ho-hum, off-the-self, generic shade. The results will truly enlighten you.

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Summary

Chapter 1: Design and Materials

* Explores various lampshade shapes, sizes, and styles.
* Provides guidance on choosing the right materials, such as paper, fabric, wire, and glue.

Example:
You decide to create a cylindrical lampshade for your living room. You select bamboo paper with a unique texture and a lightweight wire frame to support it.

Chapter 2: Basic Techniques

* Covers fundamental techniques for creating lampshades, including measuring, cutting, and assembling materials.
* Explains how to roll and pleat paper, as well as how to attach fabric using glue or other adhesives.

Example:
You learn to measure and cut the bamboo paper accurately and practice rolling it into a cylinder. You experiment with different pleating techniques to find one that suits your design.

Chapter 3: Paper Lampshades

* Focuses on creating lampshades using various paper types, such as rice paper, vellum, and book pages.
* Provides step-by-step instructions for making specific paper lampshade designs.

Example:
You choose to create a lampshade using recycled book pages. You follow the instructions to sew the pages together and shape them into a unique and interesting design.

Chapter 4: Fabric Lampshades

* Explains how to select and work with different fabrics for lampshades, including silk, cotton, and linen.
* Covers techniques for sewing and gluing fabrics to create various shapes and styles.

Example:
You decide to use a colorful patterned fabric to make a spherical lampshade. You learn how to cut the fabric precisely and sew it into the desired shape.

Chapter 5: Wire and Bead Lampshades

* Demonstrates how to use wire and beads to create intricate lampshades.
* Provides instructions for forming wire frames, stringing beads, and attaching them to the frame.

Example:
You create a lampshade using copper wire and crystal beads. You bend and shape the wire according to your design and string the beads to create a delicate and shimmering effect.

Chapter 6: Unique and Creative Lampshades

* Explores unconventional materials and techniques for creating unique and personalized lampshades.
* Includes projects that incorporate upcycled items, natural elements, and innovative ideas.

Example:
You decide to create a lampshade using fallen leaves. You collect and press the leaves and then mount them on a wire frame, creating a one-of-a-kind and nature-inspired piece.