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How to Make Square and Rectangle Lampshades

3 days ago

Updated: 2 days ago

Square and rectangular lampshades are a stylish and space-saving lighting solution. Their clean lines and right-angled corners make them a perfect fit for any room, whether it’s a bedside table, a desk, or a narrow hallway.

 

In today’s post, we’ll guide you through everything you need to know to make contemporary handmade square and rectangle lampshades, including how to make our popular Square Lampshade Making Kits, and how achieve bespoke sizes of lampshade using a combination of our frame sets and panels.



 

Square Lampshade Making Kit

Our Square Lampshade Making Kit is the perfect way for a beginner to achieve the square lampshade look!


With everything you need inside the kit, you can create either a 20 x 20cm, 30 x 30cm or 40 x 40cm square lampshade that measures the same assembled height as it is in diameter, so 20cm, 30cm or 40cm high, to make a true square!




Square and Rectangle Frames

The starting point for making either a ‘bespoke sized’ Square or Rectangle Lampshade is the frames, which are bought as a 2-part set that includes a Lampshade Utility Frame, fitted with an aperture which connects to a UK or EU table lamp or pendant light fitting, and a plain Lampshade Frame.

 

Available in the sizes listed below, the frame will determine the size of your lampshade, in terms of diameter and in the case of a rectangle lampshade, length. By pairing a frame set with your choice of our pre-cut Square or Rectangle Lampshade Panel, you can make exactly the lampshade you need for your space.

 

20 x 20cm

30 x 30cm

40 x 40cm

 

15x 30cm

20 x 40cm

25 x 50cm

 



Square and Rectangle Panels

To form the basis of your Square or Rectangle lampshade our Stick It® Square and Rectangle Lampshade panels are manufactured exactly to fit to our range of Square and Rectangle Frame Sets, and have four pre-scored vertical lines to fit around the corners, a 15mm seam overlap and pre-scored kisscuts, to create a neat, rolled edge at the top and bottom of the lampshade.


Our professional grade, 300 micron thick material is also self-adhesive on one side, ensuring your choice of fabric or paper can be easily adhered, to form the basis of your Square or Rectangle Lampshade.

 

Our Square and Rectangle Lampshade Panels are available in the following depths:





How to make a Square (or Rectangle) Lampshade


Whether you're using a Square Lampshade Making Kit or Square or Rectangle Frame combination, these instructions will show you step-by-step how to make the perfect right angled lampshade;



What you’ll need to make a Ribbon Candle Clip Lampshade 


  • 1 x Square Lampshade Making Kit (we're using a 20cm kit)

  • Covering of your choice, measuring 85cm x 23cm

  • Clean flat working area

  • Scissors or a sharp knife

  • Seam roller (optional)

  • Small scissors for cutting tape (optional)

 

Before you start

If your covering is directional, you need to think about which frame to place at the top or bottom panel. The utility frame needs to be placed at the bottom if you want to use it with a table lamp, for pendant use (ceiling fitting) the utility frame must be placed at the top. Please check this before you put the frames on your panel (Step 12).

 

1. Cut down your covering to a workable size. Place face down and position the Stick-It panel on top.

 

Pro Tip: Iron your covering first to remove any creases.


2. When you’re happy with placement peel back some of the release paper and stick down on your covering.

 

Pro Tip: Use a weight, such as a tin, to stop the panel from moving.


3. Smooth out from the middle and press the adhesive into the fabric firmly until all the release paper is removed. After you have inspected your panel for creases, the panel is now ready for trimming.

 

Pro Tip: If you feel a crease, peel back and try again.


4. Cut off surplus covering by using scissors or running a sharp knife along the edges of the panel.


5. Snap back and break the creased edges (kiss-cut) around the panel.


6. Carefully, to avoid fraying, remove the broken strips of the panel to leave your covering’s edge.

 

7. On each vertical score line gently fold panel towards each other, to form a clean creased edge. Repeat for each crease.


8. Apply double-sided Tesa tape to the short edge with a full square panel. This will be used to stick the seam.


9. Remove the release paper and your panel is now complete and ready for attaching to the frames.


10. Apply the double-sided Tesa tape to the centre of the frames. Apply evenly and avoid creases.


11. Press the tape down evenly and firmly onto the frame then remove the release paper. Repeat steps 10 & 11 for the final frame and you now have two sticky frames to fix to the panel.


12. Place the frames on the panel edge (not on your covering) ensuring the first corner aligns with the pre-scored line. Continue to move and align each corner towards the seam edge (step 8).


13. Keep in line with the panel edge at all times. If you run out of line, go back and correct. As the lampshade starts to take shape, it will be easier to keep in line.


14. Now turn the lampshade around so you can move this towards you, keeping in line with the edge.

 

Pro Tip: Keep the frames in contact with the panel edge. Don't press the frames down hard onto the panel, as this makes it more difficult for you to tuck the covering behind you when finishing.


15. When you get to the seam (the overlap), place the final square section over the short lip edge. Press the tape together from the centre out. The seam is now closed, do not apply any pressure here or you can dent the lampshade.


16. Place the lampshade with the seam on a hard surface and apply firm pressure, pressing the tape down.

 

Pro Tip: For best results use a seam roller.


17. Snip the covering in line with the struts on the utility ring so that the covering can be folded under the rings.


18. Snip into the covering on the corners.


19. Pinch the fabric, pull taut and fold down onto the sticky rings.


20.  Use the finishing tool to push the fabric behind the rings. Push the tool between the gap and swipe around the circumference until you’re happy with the finish.


21. Enjoy your professionally finished lampshade! 



Rounded Square and Rectangle Lampshades

Prefer a softer edged lampshade? Our Rounded Square and Rectangle Lampshade Kits come in the same dimensions as our sharper edged Square Lampshade Making Kits and Rectangle Frame Sets, but instead have a beautiful rounded edge, making them both functional and stylish.




 
 
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