The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Fabric for Drum Lampshades

The possibilities are endless when it comes to choosing fabric for your drum lampshade! This is one of the reasons I fell in love with lampshade making. You can be bold & brave with fabrics & with so many beautiful designs to choose from, finding the perfect design for your scheme can be an exciting part of the process. 

But before you head down to your local fabric shop, or start ordering fabric samples, I’ve put this handy guide together, which you may find useful…

Which fabric type is perfect for drum lampshades?

Natural fabrics such as linen & cotton are perfect for making drum lampshades. The thickness of this type of fabric means it will give a lovely finish around the edge of your finished drum lampshade. It is also just the right thickness to be tucked under the ring sets easily & doesn’t tend to fray.

Thicker fabrics such as wool & velvet can be trickier to work with & although it isn’t impossible to create beautiful drum lampshades using these thicker fabrics, it can be hard to finish your lampshade due to the fabric becoming bulky to work with – something to bear in mind if you are new to lampshade making.

What fabric type to avoid when making a drum lampshade…

It’s best to avoid silk, as it can react to temperature changes & the adhesives used in lampshade making. Over time silk will lift away from the PVC lining & create bubbles. If you are after the look of silk choosing a faux silk like this from James Hare, Astor faux silk range would be a better option.

Stretchy fabrics such as jersey, or knitted fabrics can distort the pattern on your lampshade. They also have more movement in them due to the stretch which can make them tricky to adhere to the PVC lining.

Think about the opacity of your fabric…

Thinner fabrics will let more light through & can mean that any design on the fabric is lost when lit. However, thinner fabrics can create a softer glow, which may suit the look you are after.

Thicker fabrics will mean less light will penetrate through the lining & fabric, with more light at the top & bottom of the shade, creating a moodier effect.

Should you choose patterned or plain fabric?

Patterned fabrics are a great way to be bold with colour choices & bring interest to your room. It’s important to think about the size of your pattern, it can be hard to capture larger designs on lampshades.

It is worth taking the time to consider the size of your lampshade, a large print on a small lampshade may be overwhelming, equally a small pattern may get lost on a larger shade. Pinning fabric onto an existing lampshade is a helpful way to see how fabric will look on your finished lampshade. 

How will the colour of your fabric look on your drum lampshade?

It’s important to consider the colour of your chosen fabric. Darker fabrics will absorb more light which will create a moodier atmosphere. A lighter colour fabric will reflect more light & brighten a room. 

It’s a good idea to think about how your drum lampshade will look when the lamp is switched both on and off. Some fabrics can change in appearance dramatically. Play about with fabric samples in front of an existing lampshade, see how the light changes the look. Does the pattern get washed out with the light? Or is the fabric thicker and absorbs more light?

Need help choosing the right fabric for your drum lampshade?

If you’re still unsure whether your chosen fabric is suitable for a drum lampshade, get in touch! I love helping customers find the perfect fabric for their next lighting project. Whether you’d like to learn how to make a drum lampshade on one of my workshops, or if you’d like one making, I can help – get in touch on 077976886084 or email: hello@twolittlelights.co.uk