Once again this is a project where I really struggled with the name because I have seen this type of fluted lampshade listed with different names such as scalloped lampshade, petal lampshade, and occasionally pleated petal lampshade. After doing some research, I believe the correct name is fluted lampshade and today I want to teach you how to make a fluted lampshade in different shapes and sizes. They can be cylindrical/tubular or tapered lampshades used for a variety of lamps or as pendant lights. While they look intimidating to make it was actually not bad at all.
How to make a fluted lampshade in different shapes and sizes
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I’ve been wanting to make a fluted lampshade like this for a while now to update my old buffet table lamps. The existing old lampshades were old, faded, and brittle.
Craft supplies needed for a DIY fluted lampshade
- small and large scissors
- cutting tool or craft knife and cutting mat
- glue (I tried spray glue and glue stick) or you can use a sewing machine
- printer paper for testing out your prototype
- office stapler and staples
- plain or colored construction paper (I used this green paper and an off-white) or you could use lampshade parchment paper
- leather hole punch tool
- ruler and quick square ruler
- paper clips
- pencil
- lampshade frame or any other lighting frame depending on what type of lampshade or pendant light you want to make (I used my old lampshade cages and some floral hoops)
IMPORTANT NOTE: This is a tip in case you want to use adhesive lampshade backing with fabric like the professional lampshades in the store. That was my original plan and I had purchased a type of adhesive lampshade backing on Amazon which ended up being way too thick and you couldn’t bend it. I ended up returning it.
After that, I did some more research and I talked to a lamp shade company in the UK that sells this type of backing. They advised me to use standard 0.3 self-adhesive lampshade PVC which they sell called Stick-It. You can occasionally also find small crafting shops on Etsy selling it like this shop. If you use this type of lampshade PVC with fabric adhered to it, I advise you to use a sewing machine with a heavy-duty needle to attach each fluted section together. More to that later.
My fluted lampshade video instructions
It always helps to watch the video tutorial to see what my hands were doing and to get more explanations and details. If it doesn’t load here on my blog then you can also head over to my YouTube channel to watch instead.
Step-by-step tutorial
Step 1: Make a prototype out of cheap plain printer paper
To me, this step is very important because you get to practice and also play around with the individual fluted pieces and sizes to make sure you know exactly what direction you want to take. This way you don’t have to waste more expensive material.
Step 4: Cut all trim pieces (optional)
I wanted to add an extra detail with the different colored trim for the top and bottom of the lampshade. This step is optional.
The bottom rim is slightly curved and I used the precut sections for the flutes to guide the shape of that half-inch curved trim piece by tracing it twice on a piece of white construction paper and then cutting it out.
For the top rim trim, I marked half-inch sections with a ruler and pencil on another white piece of construction paper. Then I used a cutting tool to cut the straight trim pieces but you can also use a craft knife and cutting mat, or just cut along a marked line with scissors.
Step 5: Glue the trim pieces to the paper shapes
I tried laying out all the pieces on cardboard and then spraying them with spray adhesive but the pressure of the air and glue coming out made them fly away.
A glue stick (or a strip of double-sided tape) worked much better to adhere the trim pieces as you can see in the below image. Glue the trim pieces on the sides that don’t have the line drawn on.
Step 6: Attach the first two sections together
Take two pieces of the trimmed paper (image 1) and lay them on top of each other with the trim facing towards each other (image 2).
The line you drew earlier is your guide for where to add the staples. If you are using a sewing machine you can use that line to guide for where to place your sewing seam.
Then use the hole punch to add holes to the two areas that you marked earlier. After that cut slits into the front towards the holes with small crafting scissors. This is where you will insert your lampshade ring later.
In image 8 below you can see the other side of the two connected pieces.
TIP: I do not recommend using a hot glue gun for this project. It is too uneven and messy and can squirt out the seams.
Instead, you could use, double-sided adhesive tape, a sewing machine, or staples (like I did)
Step 7: Attach all sections together
Continue attaching all paper sections together the same way as I showed in Step 5. This can get a bit confusing because they tend to bunch up.
Make sure you don’t forget to punch the holes with cut slits for each section.
Step 8: Connect the beginning and the end of the fluted pieces
Honestly, this was the trickiest part. It was much easier with the thin printer paper. The thicker the material, the trickier it is. But don’t worry, it’s doable.
When they are all connected, open the fluted pieces up like a fan and then turn them around so you can bend the beginning and end pieces inward. Use your clean fingers to hold them together. You can also use a paper clip to help you keep everything together until you staple the ends together.
This is probably best seen in my video.
After the pieces are attached together, you need to still punch the two last holes and cut the slits again like you did earlier with the rest of the pieces.
Step 9: Insert the lampshade cage
I used my old lampshade parts but first had to remove the old material from the metal lampshade cage.
Take your lampshade cage and carefully insert it inside the fluted lampshade sleeve. The ring of the cage now easily snaps into the holes and slits.
Since I used my old lampshade parts, I needed another ring/floral hoop for the bottom part of the lampshade. This helps keep the shape and with the sturdiness. If you are using a lampshade cage with a top and bottom ring then you don’t need an additional ring. Make sure both rings are inserted into all the holes. (My top ring is 5 inches and the bottom ring is 7 inches.)
Lastly, carefully bend and shape each fluted section evenly.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Make sure that the light bulb is far away enough from the paper since this could obviously cause a fire. This is why most lampshades are made from PVC material instead of paper.
RELATED: You might also like my fluted dresser makeover or my fluted planter sleeve tutorial.
Where to buy fluted lampshades
Some of you will still think “hell no, I’m not making those” and you would rather buy them from an existing shop. So I gathered some of my favorites for you.
Finished fluted lampshade
I love how they turned out even though I don’t have the originally envisioned version of fabric-covered fluted lampshades. I might still order that thin PVC and make them the way I described. For now, I’m happy with what I have because they look perfect.
The blush sideboard could use a new coat of paint but I’ve been trying to avoid having to do it. There are scratches in it and the top tray pulled off some paint.
The reason I don’t want to repaint it is that I love this color. It originally wasn’t as soft of a pink and simply faded over time. So it will be hard to get the exact same shade. I still love this shade of pink so much. But I have also been thinking about what other color I could paint it. In case you are wondering, I originally bought the buffet at Bombay Company many many years ago. It has such a lovely shape!
More of my DIY lighting tutorials for inspiration
Tschüß,
