Lighting is key to creating the perfect desired ambiance, be it cosy and snug or bright and reviving. It's never more true than on dark winter days when natural light is scarce. So what better way to express your creative side and brighten your home than by learning to make a unique hand-crafted lampshade? There are so many options (more than you might think!) so we have pulled together our favourite lampshade making courses from around the UK to showcase the many stunning techniques and materials on offer, from willow to wool, and thread to sunlight. There are even courses to help you go professional.
Intrigued? Read on to get inspired…
Print your own Fabric & Lampshade Making Workshop
Join Designer & Maker Ria Rich in her colourful studio situated in rural Northamptonshire where you can design and create a fabulous lampshade to compliment your home. In this all day workshop you will learn various fabric printing techniques such as stencils with screens, resists and stamps to create your design.
Find more printing workshops around the UK
Willow Lampshade Sculpture Day
Make a unique feature willow lampshade for your home, with Sarah Le Breton. This course uses willow grown onsite at the willow and wetlands centre in Somerset. Choose to make either a large conical or round lampshade or smaller pair of shades from a choice of designs that use traditional basket making techniques.
Find more willow workshops around the UK
Appliqued Lampshade making workshop
Take a bold step into the addictive world of machine embroidery and create an appliqué and embroidered textile lampshade. Julie at Tigley Textiles is an award-winning tutor who welcomes students into her studio in Worcester, to learn a host of new creative techniques.
"To leave with a useful piece of "artwork"is so satisfying. Julie is a most enthusiastic and supportive tutor and the atmosphere was thoroughly enjoyable. Highly recommended."
Find more machine embroidery courses
Make a Felt Lampshade
Combine two fascinating skills, felt making and lampshade making with Emma Jackson at Silversoles in Birmingham!
Design and make a piece of felt fabric using native breed or merino wools with additional fibres such as silk, linen and exotics like angora. This piece of handmade felt can then be made into a unique lampshade on the second day of this workshop.
Find more felting courses around the UK
Use sunlight to create a stunning Cyanotype Lampshade
These unusual workshops use sunlight in a creative photographic process which captures the form of organic elements or objects onto fabric.
Cyanotype workshops start up in the Spring when the blossom starts to appear, and the birds start to get excited and these lamp shade courses are run by Sunlight and Blue in South Dorset.
Find more cyanotype workshops around the UK
Introductory Drum Lampshade Making Workshops
Learn all the necessary techniques for incorporating your favourite fabric into a hand-crafted lampshade for your home on a short course... once you know the techniques, you can continue this fascinating practical craft at home.
We love this fun half day workshop in Rotherham including tea and cake with Two Little Lights or this 2 hour introduction at Alford Craft Market in Lincolnshire.
Find all lampshade making courses around the UK
And finally… Go professional with Moji designs
Would you like to take your craft to the next level and set up a lampshade business?
This two day masterclass in Hove not only teaches you the necessary advanced techniques for making beautiful lampshades, but also offers professional advice and insight for those who are planning to start a professional lampshade making business, including how to brand, market and sell your lampshades successfully.
Find more creative business services courses here
