Custom Kitchen Drum Pendants

Create contemporary kitchen island lighting with easy-to-make custom fabric-covered shades on pendant fixture kits.
Transitional Kitchen With Large Island and Gray Granite Countertops

Neutral Kitchen With Large Island and Granite Counters

Gray granite countertops add color to the white cabinetry. Geometric-patterned pendant lights illuminate the glossy counter space.

By: Janell Beals

Related To:

Materials Needed:

  • shade pendant hardware kit
  • medium drum lampshade
  • 1/3-yard fabric per shade
  • 3 yards trim per shade
  • temporary fabric pen
  • fabric glue
  • tape measure
  • yard stick
  • painters' tape

Select Pendant Hardware Kit and Drum Lampshade

Secure medium-sized shade to cover with fabric and hang on pendant hardware kit.

Pendant lamp and shade

Select Pendant Hardware Kit and Drum Lampshade

Secure medium-sized shade to cover with fabric and hang on pendant hardware kit

Measure Lampshade Circumference

Measure circumference of shade and add 1-1/2 inches to measurement to determine length to cut fabric.

Measure shade

Measure Lampshade Circumference

Measure circumference of shade and add 1-1/2 inches to measurement to determine length to cut fabric.

Measure Lampshade Height

Measure height of shade then subtract 1/4-inch from measurement for width to cut fabric.

Measure shade

Measure Lampshade Height

Measure height of shade then subtract 1/4-inch from measurement for width to cut fabric.

Mark Fabric Panel Dimensions

Using adjusted shade measurements, trace length across width of fabric with temporary fabric pen.

Measure and mark cuts

Mark Fabric Panel Dimensions

Using adjusted shade measurements, trace length across width of fabric with temporary fabric pen.

Cut Bottom Edge

Cut along traced line to create bottom edge of panel.

Cut fabric to size

Cut Bottom Edge

Cut along traced line to create bottom edge of panel.

Mark Height and Cut Fabric Panel

Measure up from bottom and cut edge of panel using adjusted height measurement. Trace a line parallel to the bottom edge along this height. Cut along traced line and cut ends to create fabric panel.

Measure and mark fabric

Mark Height and Cut Fabric Panel

Measure up from bottom and cut edge of panel using adjusted height measurement. Trace a line parallel to the bottom edge along this height. Cut along traced line and cut ends to create fabric panel.

Attach Fabric Panel to Shade

Run a bead of fabric glue along end of panel on wrong side of fabric. Press glued fabric onto shade at seam.

Glue Fabric Onto Pendant

Attach Fabric Panel to Shade

Run a bead of fabric glue along end of panel on wrong side of fabric. Press glued fabric onto shade at seam.

Temporarily Tape Fabric

Secure fabric end to shade with painters' tape to hold in place as glue dries.

Use tape to hold fabric

Temporarily Tape Fabric

Secure fabric end to shade with painters' tape to hold in place as glue dries.

Glue Fabric Panel Edges to Lampshade

Brush fabric glue to top and bottom edges of shade, working on both edges in three- to four-inch sections at a time. Wrap fabric panel snugly around shade, pressing sides of fabric onto glue.

Glue fabric to shade

Glue Fabric Panel Edges to Lampshade

Brush fabric glue to top and bottom edges of shade, working on both edges in three- to four-inch sections at a time. Wrap fabric panel snugly around shade, pressing sides of fabric onto glue.

Create a Finished Seam

Once fabric is wrapped around shade, fabric should overlap at seam approximately 1-1/2 inches. Apply fabric glue on wrong side of fabric at end. Turn under 1/4-inch and press fabric together.

Create shade seam

Create a Finished Seam

Once fabric is wrapped around shade, fabric should overlap at seam approximately 1-1/2 inches. Apply fabric glue on wrong side of fabric at end. Turn under 1/4-inch and press fabric together.

Attach Seam to Lampshade

Brush glue onto underside of fabric panel end. Press firmly onto shade, creating finished edge at shade seam.

Use glue to create pendant shade seam

Attach Seam to Lampshade

Brush glue onto underside of fabric panel end. Press firmly onto shade, creating finished edge at shade seam.

Add Trim to Lampshade Edges

Glue trim to outer edges of shade, starting at shade seam. Brush shade edges with glue, wrapping trim around diameter of shade, working in three- to four-inch sections. Once trim is wrapped around shade, create finished end by turning trim end under 1/4-inch and glue to shade at seam.

Add grosgrain trim

Add Trim to Lampshade Edges

Glue trim to outer edges of shade, starting at shade seam. Brush shade edges with glue, wrapping trim around diameter of shade, working in three- to four-inch sections. Once trim is wrapped around shade, create finished end by turning trim end under 1/4-inch and glue to shade at seam.

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