The Diy Ruffled Lampshade You Can Make Without Any Sewing Skills

While store bought lampshades come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and patterns, you may be looking for something a little more custom for your home. Turning a plain lampshade into a beautifully patterned one may be quicker and easier than you think. Instagram user @kinandkasa recently showed off how to transform a plain cylinder lampshade into a stunning, ruffle custom design using just some fabric, spray adhesive, hot glue, and some piping for the border (via Instagram). Even better, the project involves no sewing or complicated assembly. 

This DIY is a great way to create custom lampshades out of your favorite fabrics and will work on most lampshade shapes and formats. It is particularly useful if you want to fix a damaged shade you love, repurpose old lamp shades instead of throwing them out, or match the fabric on the lampshade to other textiles in your home. You can make a ruffled or unruffled version, customize your trim, add fringe, and more to make the project your own. 

To create the perfect lighting for your space, begin by cutting a strip of fabric to the width of your lampshade to cover the entire surface from top to bottom, with an extra ½ inch border at either end to wrap around the back. Spray the shade liberally with spray adhesive to stick down the fabric, smoothing as you go. For the seams, use a line of hot glue on the edge as you wrap around the fabric and press. To create the ruffle, cut another strip of fabric, folding, ironing, and gluing down the edge to create a finished seam. Apply the ruffle around the perimeter of the shade, using dabs of glue to create pleats in the fabric as you go around. To finish the shade, add some trim, ribbon, or ricrac around the top and bottom of the shade with more hot glue.

This fun lamp transformation project can also be customized with more decorative details, including gluing on buttons, beads, and other embellishments that fit your décor or create stylish statement lighting. While this lampshade has a ruffle, you can also use glue to adhere a strip of fringe, crystals, or tassels around the bottom for a more boho or glam look.