Decorate a Lampshade with Printed Patterns

Materials and Tools:

white lampshade*
4" x 5" linoleum block
linoleum cutter with gutter and medium knife tips
transfer paper
paper
butcher paper
ballpoint pen
pencil
1 1/2 yards moss green cotton fabric
permanent fabric ink: yellow ochre, blue, teal and white
book binders glue
scissors
sewing pins
iron and ironing board
towel
paper towels
4-inch rubber brayer
paintbrush for mixing ink
2 disposable plastic dinner plates
*White lampshade should have a 10" top opening and a 13" bottom opening.

Figure A

Steps:

1. Draw the desired design on paper.

2. Transfer the image to a linoleum block using transfer paper.

Figure B

3. Cut the negative image out of the linoleum block creating a stamp.

4. Wash out the residual linoleum bits and dry the stamp. Set aside.

Figure D

5. Make a pattern for the shade fabric by placing the shade on its side on butcher paper and rolling it from seam to seam making sure to leave 1-inch marks on the paper as you roll.

• Both the top and bottom of the shade must be marked.
• Draw a line connecting the marks. It should resemble two smiles.
• Draw a line connecting the bottom smile to the top smile at the two ends. It should resemble a slice of cantaloupe.
• Add one inch to all sides for overlap.
• Cut this shape out.

Figure G

6. Pin the pattern to moss green fabric. Follow the edge of the pattern and cut out the fabric.

7. Unpin the fabric from the pattern and place the fabric on a clean rag-towel because the ink will bleed though the fabric when the linoleum stamp is applied. Roll up the shade pattern to use for another lampshade project.

Figure H

8. Mix fabric inks together with a brush on a plastic plate until you've come up with desired color. Clean out the brush.

9. Roll the brayer in the ink, completely covering the roller with a thin layer of ink.

10. Roll the ink onto the stamp and place the stamp on the fabric, pressing firmly onto the fabric (maybe six seconds), and lift up the stamp to reveal the print design. Continue stamping the fabric until you've finished printing the fabric to the desired look.

11. Wash the stamp completely and set aside to dry.

Figure J

12. Wait five minutes or so for the ink to dry. Heat the iron to high cotton setting. When the ink is dry, place the fabric face down on a clean towel and set the ink by ironing, using moderate pressure for 45 seconds to a minute.

13. Run a thin line of glue along one seam edge of the fabric and place it on the existing seam edge of the shade, making sure the top and bottom of the shade have enough fabric all the way around for a 1-inch overlap. Press firmly and allow to dry two minutes or so.

14. Apply a thin area of glue to the first 3 inches of fabric and lightly spread it evenly. Press the fabric down to the shade and work out any air bubbles. Glue the remaining fabric to the shade in 3-inch sections until the shade is covered.

Figure L

15. At the seam edge of the shade fold under the end of the fabric reinforcing it with glue. Glue the reinforced fabric end to the shade and press down while it dries for one minute or until dry.

16. Apply a thin line of glue to the top edge of overlapping fabric and wrap it around to the inside of the lampshade and press until dry. Wipe off any residual glue with a paper towel. Glue the remaining top edge of the shade. Repeat with the bottom edge of the lampshade.

17. Attach the linocut printed fabric covered lampshade on a lamp base and switch on.