There are a few basics that can make or break a lampshade. It totally helps to use the right stuff. Slinky grosgrain could drive you to nutty... crummy glue... poor fabric can be impossible... some of this is repetitive for some of you, but these are questions I'm email every day... so here goes.
1.) use the right grosgrain. 40% cotton/60 rayon. Most craft stores carry rayon or poly. Order from The Lampshop or other on line sources.
2.) use quick glue; available at The Lampshop. Transfer it into a squeeze bottle. It'll make your life so much happier.
3.)use a galvanized wire frame.... no rust- a happy lampshade maker.
4.) do great design. start with good materials & great fabric. great fabric is so much better than wasting time with poor quality.... I just finished a shade w/ client's fabric was printed sooooo far off the grain of the fabric- impossible and will never look perfect as many times as I tried to line it up.
5.) I get asked a lot about the price of styrene. It's isn't cheeeep but one yard goes a long way. Just look at the price of nice lampshades. You can probably get 4-6 lampshades out of one yard of styrene depending on size of shade.
6.) The Lampshop in Concord, NH is one of the main lampshade material supply sources. They have a very good on-line catolog.
***Hope this helps out some of the new lampshade makers! I'm so happy to hear there are lots of new lampshade makers in the works. I've been doing this over 27 years and still learning new things every day. I swear! There is plenty of work for good designers.
be brave + try new ideas + experiment + stick you neck out and have fun + go beyond average... keeping pushing your design skills and color combinations + stay away from cliched design trends.... they will be gone in a flash... who's so bored of chevons.... and maybe black....and even hanging light bulbs, thank god....I think good design is something you are still in love for 10 years not 10 weeks!
Judy you always advise to use only fabric that is mostly cotton. I recently tried to use a client's material and it was a total fail, it stuck to the styrene and frame ok but trimming was impossible. Waste of time and of course I couldn't charge for it! Also, I sometimes use craft store grosgrain trim by backing it with the sticky bias trim tape in a slightly thinner width. Otherwise the glue comes right through.
Posted by: Diana Peduzzi | 05/04/2013 at 11:40 AM
True enough Diana! How frustrating. In that situation I might try a heavier duty glue for upholstery. Yucky thick but good stick. OR use a different fabric for the trims that blends in or grosgrain.
Believe me I've been in your footsteps on that project...terribly frustrating. I can now often spot the fabrics that won't glue up....or test them when the client is in the shop if I am unsure. As much as I dislike glue guns... they can be a solution sometimes, but messy, messy.
judy
Posted by: judy lake | 05/04/2013 at 11:47 AM
My rough-housing sons broke the "plastic" liner in one of 2 beautiful, expensive table lampshades. The pleated coolee-shape ivory shade, spider-type, is intact; impossible to duplicate by buying new. Can I somehow reline the shade with new styrene/paper/whatever without taking the whole thing apart? I'm new to this but willing if you think it's possible. Lampshop website confused me regarding which liner to use. Your comment would be greatly appreciated.
Posted by: Ruth Burns | 02/18/2014 at 01:46 AM
Hi Ruth,
This is a good question that I don't have the answer for. Perhaps you could have a lampshade maker slip a cone of styrene the same size as your shade inside the pleating. I honestly don't now if it will work, but might be worth a try. Or if you are clever you could by the arc (the pattern- from the lampshop) and enough styrene that is not pressure sensitive, cut it out, glue the back seam together then slip it inside your shade and using a craft glue, tack it in spot around top and bottom. I'd make it 1/2 inch shorter, at least that original, maybe one inch shorter- so order pattern, ie arc 1/2 shorter.
This may end up being more costly than new shades... good luck, actually think this may work. maybe there is a lampshade maker near you that could help out.
xo
judy
Posted by: judy lake | 02/18/2014 at 08:43 AM
May I know where I can order styrene online?
Posted by: Angela Lee | 03/25/2014 at 11:58 AM
You can purchase it at The Lamp Shop
http://www.lampshop.com
I have also seen someone sell it on Etsy.
thanks
judy lake
Posted by: judy lake | 03/25/2014 at 01:24 PM
Hi Judy, I have been making lamp shades at home for only a short time but i seem to have a re-occurring problem with the area where the styro and the tape meet and wrap around the ring. I cannot seem to get a smooth rounded look to the area where the curve of the ring is. Either the edge of the styro creates a sharp edge or if i try to place the ring as high as possible into the tape the fabric gathers in a fold and looks terrible. I'm very frustrated and can't seem to work out what i am doing wrong. Is my template/pattern slightly crooked? Is the fabric I am using too thin?? Am i not placing the tape close enough to the edge of the styro when i tape it up?? I wish i could attach a photo here to show you what I mean, but i am hoping you are able to understand what i am describing. Many thanks, Emma
Posted by: Emma | 07/19/2014 at 05:47 AM
Hi Emma,
Why don't you send me a photo. Here is my email
judylake@vermontel
this will be easier.
thanks
judy
Posted by: judy lake | 07/19/2014 at 08:51 AM
Hi Judy, can you tell me the best material to use for lining lampshades please? I recover lampshades but have never needed to line them untill now - client is requesting it lined and I don't know the best fabric to use. Your advice wouyld be most appreciated.
Many Thanks
Rachel
Posted by: Rachel Graham | 09/23/2014 at 07:11 AM
Hi Rachel,
I make hard back shades laminating fabric to pressure sensitive styrene. I think maybe you are making soft shades, ie sewn? I am not experienced with silk shades; I appreciate how lovely they are but most of my vintage fabric needs to be laminated to survive the heat of light bulb.
thanks
judy
Posted by: judy lake | 09/23/2014 at 10:39 AM
Hi, i need to know if i can buy with you, pressure sensitive styrene, please confirm if you have it in roll, thanks
Posted by: Raul BLandon | 01/04/2016 at 09:46 AM
Hi Raul,
The Lamp Shop.com is the best place to by styrene by the yard. If you are a business and want more than 25 yds try Artistic Bias Products.
Posted by: judy lake | 01/04/2016 at 11:18 AM
What is the plastic type material that is pre pasted for material tobe added... I want that plstic
Posted by: Sharon killpack | 02/02/2016 at 12:21 AM
Hi,
I want to recover an old lampshade but want to use a fabric other then rayon. Can i use any fabrics Or are there any fabrics that can replace rayon? Please help :)
Posted by: niamh | 02/11/2016 at 04:18 PM
Hi From 2/11/16,
I make HARD BACK Lampshades - I laminate fabric onto pressure sensitive styrene. I have found it is usually best to use cotton or linen for best lamination.
If you are sewing lampshades- rayon or silk may be the best option. I do not do any sewing of shades in my shop as I use vintage fabrics. They would not hold up to the heat and strength over time.
thanks
judy
Posted by: judy lake | 02/11/2016 at 07:09 PM
Hi Sharon, sorry, I missed you--- pressure sensitive styrene is the sticky plastic backing.
thanks,
judy lake
Posted by: judy lake | 02/11/2016 at 07:11 PM
My lampshade is broken. I've saved both top & bottom rings. What tape do I use to cover them before making shade form.
Thank you, Irene
Posted by: Irene Peterson | 02/20/2016 at 12:36 PM
Hello,
I want to make a lampshade out of leather. What would you put on the inside? would you use the styrene that you could glue it to or maybe hand lace it to? Or would you use something else, any help at all would be so apprecicaed. THANK you so much!
Stacy
Posted by: Stacy | 03/15/2016 at 05:28 PM
I don't usually cover the rings before making the shade. That technique is usually reserved for sewn shades.
Hope that helps.
judy
Posted by: judy lake | 03/15/2016 at 06:57 PM
Hi Stacy,
I have not used leather but would guess the lacing method would be used.
Judy
Posted by: judy lake | 03/15/2016 at 06:59 PM
What fabrics are best used on lampshades? I am wanting to recover some for the kids rooms?
Posted by: Suzi Mckenzie | 11/18/2016 at 11:57 PM
Hi Suzi,
Cottons and linens work best for hard back shades. I like using vintage fabrics as they laminate very well and have so much character.
Posted by: judy lake | 11/19/2016 at 08:19 AM
Hi Judy,
I hope you still check these messages! I am planning my first attempt at making a lampshade for a refurbished chandelier. I want to make a white linen drum shade 9 inches tall and 24 inches in diameter. From what I understand to determine how much styrene I will need I need to figure out the circumference by taking the 24 " and multiplying by pi and adding 1 inch for the seam..but when I do this that gives me 76.36 inches of styrene needed! Does that look correct to you? Do i really need that much styrene? That's getting really expensive! Thanks in advance for your advice
Posted by: Angie | 07/20/2018 at 02:19 AM
Hi Angie,
That is correct on the measurement. Here's what I would do- You will have extra styrene to make more drum shades as your shade is only 9" high. I suggest starting with a few smaller shades to get the hang of handling the materials. 12x12x9 is a good size or 14x14x9 are both good starting spots. And before you know it it's not as expensive. If you happen to be up in VT you can buy it from my shop and not have to pay the shipping. good luck, 24" is super tricky to start with. Just darn awkward to hold. Get LOTS of sturdy clothes pins. xo judy
Posted by: Judy Lake | 07/20/2018 at 08:01 AM
Is satin a safe material for a lampshade ? My instinct says no, but wanted to hear from your experience..
Posted by: Manasa Seshadri | 08/14/2018 at 02:32 AM