DIY: A Pin-Punched Paper Lamshade

Instructions for an easy-to-make decorative lamp shade.

Cast shadows over plain lampshades with a pin-punched one you craft yourself. It's easy to make and a real eye-catcher when you flip the switch and reveal a hidden motif. Follow these step-by-step instructions for glowing results.

First, buy a lampshade. You can purchase a shade frame from websites like Lampshop.com. However, it's often cheaper to head to a discount store to find an inexpensive lamp or lampshade that fits the bill. I found a square shade at TJ Maxx and removed the fabric. Check out Kmart, Ikea, Target, Walmart and HomeGoods.

Second, gather decorative paper. Lighter weights of paper work best, but note that gift wrap is too flimsy and flammable for this project. You can also use a lightweight fabric like linen. If you go with linen, stiffen the fabric by ironing with spray starch before you begin the project. This will make it easier to handle. Also, be sure to use fabric glue to secure fabric ends.

What you'll need:

- Rectangular lamp shade form, about 6" x 6" x 12"
- 20" x 30" decorative paper, lighter weights work best but gift wrap is too flimsy
- Ruler
- Pencil
- Scissors or straight edge
- Plain paper
- Adhesive-backed double sided tape, heavy-duty
- Contact metallic adhesive-backed shelf liner
- Embroidery needle, large
- Lamp base and lightbulb
- Clothespins

Directions:

1. To determine the height of your paper shade, place the paper horizontally with the wrong side face down, on a well-protected surface. Lie the lampshade frame on paper 1" below top edge and 3/4" from left vertical edge. Measure and mark the lampshade's height, leaving 1" excess at bottom edge as well (see PHOTO #1). The 1" of paper on the top and bottom is EXCESS used to wrap around the frame in a later step.
2. To determine the length of your paper shade you will need to carefully rotate/roll the lampshade frame, across the paper, so that all four sides have been accounted for (think of it as wrapping a present). Mark the placement of each corner of the frame at the top and the bottom and leave 3/4" excess at the vertical edge. Cut out paper. The 3/4" on each vertical edge is a tab to secure the paper to the frame.
3. Using a ruler, lightly draw vertical lines at corner markings to indicate the folding lines for the four panels of the shade frame.


4. On a piece a plain paper, draw or trace a simple motif, making the motif the same height as lampshade frame. (I hand drew a squiggly stem and added plain leaf shapes.) Cut out motif to use as a pattern. On the wrong side of adhesive backed shelf liner, trace the motif four times (see PHOTO #2). Carefully cut out motifs.
5. Slowly remove the backing from the motif. Starting 1" above the bottom edge, affix the motif to the paper between first panel markings, slightly left of center. Repeat the procedure for each motif on each panel. This will be the INSIDE of the lampshade.
6. Affix a piece of tape to the OUTSIDE of paper along the TAB on the left vertical edge. Affix a second piece of tape to the INSIDE along the TAB on the right vertical edge.
7. Affix a piece of tape along the entire length of the 3/4" paper EXCESS at the INSIDE BOTTOM edge. Repeat at the INSIDE TOP edge of shade.
8. Fold over left vertical edge 3/4" to make crease. Fold over the right vertical edge in the same manner. Lightly fold paper at each panel marking.
9. Lie metal frame on the paper aligning the frame to first left paper fold and centered top to bottom. The taped TAB should fold over the corner. Use clothespins at top and bottom to help hold in place.
10. Holding paper in place on the frame, carefully turn frame along paper. The frame corners should match up with folds in the paper. Crease the corners as you go. If necessary, use clothespins to help hold the paper in place on the frame. The ending TAB of the paper will overlap the shade at the beginning corner.
11. Remove the adhesive backing from the first TAB and gently press to adhere the tape to the paper. Next, remove the adhesive backing from the other TAB and gently press to adhere the tape to the paper.

11. Snip the excess paper at the corners with a vertical cut (see corner above in PHOTO #3).
12. Working one side at a time, remove adhesive backing (see PHOTO #3) and fold over excess to INSIDE of the shade. Press to secure.

13. Working in a well-lit area, use the embroidery needle to punch tiny holes about 1/4" apart around the motif (see PHOTO #4). Gently apply pressure from the underside when pushing needle through paper to avoid tearing shade.
14. Place the shade on the lamp base.

EASY VERSION: If making the shade seems like too much to handle, you can achieve great result with a store-bought shade. Simply make a motif as instructed above, apply the motif to the inside of the shade and punch according to directions.