Introduction: How to Make a Multicolor Spherical Fabric Lampshade

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I have already made different lampshades. This time I wanted to make a lampshade from a transparent fabric (chiffon) of a spherical shape. For a long time I could not decide on how to make the fabric maintain a spherical shape. I didn't want to make a wire frame, as it would be very visible through the transparent fabric. PVA would not work. As a result, I realized that I can make a frame from fishing line and hot glue. I already made lampshades from these materials. So I decided to use this technology invented by me. The fishing line is quite transparent and looks very delicate under transparent chiffon. At first I planned to sew a sphere out of fabric, and then insert a frame made inside, but since the seams would greatly spoil the appearance of the lampshade, I rejected this idea. I decided to just wrap the fabric around the fishing line frame and then paint the lampshade.

To be honest, I like very much this my new lampshade. I made it specifically for the contest https://www.instructables.com/contest/Paint2020/. Now I understand that if there were no such contest, I would not have had this idea and I would not have created such a lampshade. Thanks to instructables.com!

P.S. I'm tired of fighting with sites that steal my instructables regardless of the license (which is indicated in the upper left corner). Sorry but I decided to add attribution to my photos. I know it looks a little annoying, but it annoys me even more to see my works under someone else's authorship or for sale.

Supplies

fishing line,

hot glue,

chiffon fabric,

scissors,

a balloon,

a piece of rope,

a piece of transparent plastic,

foil,

paints for fabric,

brushes and water.

Step 1: Adding Tinfoil

Inflate a balloon of the required size and tie it with a rope.

Wrap the tinfoil around the balloon (see photos).

Step 2: Adding Fishing Line

Wrap the fishing line crosswise (make sure that you get round ball) (see photos). If your fishing line is very soft, then add more line.

Step 3: Adding Hot Glue

Apply hot glue to the joints (see photo).

Let the glue harden well.

Step 4: Removing the Tinfoil

Cut out small circle with a diameter of 10 cm (on the side where the balloon was tied).

Untie the balloon and pull through the hole.

Remove the tinfoil (through the hole) (see photos).

Step 5: Adding Details to Frame

Cut a hoop out of transparent plastic and glue it to the fishing line frame (see photos).

To make it easier to glue the hoop, you can insert and inflate a balloon inside, but be careful when working with hot glue.

Step 6: Adding Fabric

Cut a square of fabric just enough to wrap the frame.

Wrap the fabric around the frame made of fishing line. Glue the fabric to the top of the plastic hoop. To make it easier, insert and inflate a balloon inside (see photo).

Сut off the excess fabric, leaving 2 cm (see photo).

Remove the balloon and glue the ends of the fabric to the inside of the hoop (hide ends of fabric inside the lampshade) (see photo).

The lampshade is almost ready. For now it looks nice, but pretty faded. Let's add colors!

Step 7: Painting

To make it convenient for you to paint, inflate a balloon inside. You can use large duct tape as a stand for your lampshade.

Paint the lampshade diagonally yellow, the rest in blue (see photo). Then add paints of a different color at the junction and while the paint is wet mix, add, mix paints. Experiment with colors! (see photos)

Hang up the balloon (with the lampshade) and let the paint dry well.

Take out the balloon. Your lampshade is ready. You can spray the surface of the lampshade with a little varnish to better protect the paint.

Make a mount for the lampshade: cut a circle with a diameter of 15 cm from transparent plastic and make hole in the center of a diameter of 1 cm. If you don't want to disassemble the socket then cut this plastic along the radius. Thread the cord through the hole of plastic circle and assemble the socket. Roll the plastic circle and insert it into the hole of the lampshade. Screw in the LED bulb and enjoy the work done.

ATTENTION! This lampshade cannot be used with incandescent lamps.