lamp shade covers

[sirinadesigns]

Hi everyone,
I have been in bed ill for the last couple of days and decided while led there that I need a new cover for my bedroom light (as you do lol)
I know that I have some material left from when I made my curtains and was thinking about making a matching shade but was wondering if the material I use needs to be fire retardent or anything like that?

Regards
Sirinadesigns

[Scorch]

Sounds like a good idea to me! Bulbs actually get pretty hot. There might be a spray you can use, though, but it may not prevent the material browning.

Oh, hang on... I'm all out of date! Is that an old-stye round incandescent bulb, or a new energy-saver fluorescent one? The new ones don't get hot...

[Critchley]

I never knew that Scorch. You learn something every day. Sounds like someones going to have a lovely lampshade. Good luck with it.

[diane2]

thats an interesting thought .. i too would like to have a go at making some lampshade covers but hadnt even crossed my mind about health and safety !
will check into it
diane

[heidi33]

Nice idea there. We are moving to our new house by next month and I wanted to make the kids room a major project. It got me thinking to have covers for their lampshades and ours too. Thanks!

[sirinadesigns]

Hi everyone,

Thank you for all your replies.
Scorch - It is a new energy lightbulb.
I haven't gotten around to making the shade yet but will post pictures when done which will hopefully be in the next couple of weeks.

Regards
Sirinadesigns

[AlicesWonderland]

I made one last week using a diy kit from an online company. It wasn't great I have to say, raw edges, double sided tape didn't stick etc but they very good customer service, they gave me a refund when I complained. There was no treatment to the fabric, although they said to use just an eco 11 watt bulb. To be on the safe side you could use something a spray (can't post the link but just google fire retardant fabric spray) which is about £15 a bottle. Treats to crib5 which is the highest fire retardancy used for pubs, restaurants etc

I have some links for drum lampshades (see the video from Kirsty Allsopp on channel four website) and have found a good supplier (again can't post link but its fred aldous) for the parts. This is what I'm going to do next :)

Good luck

[karachiities]

Hi everybody


It is fascinating to read remarks about lampshade. I live in Karachi and have been providing a re-covering service for the last two years. New ones are nearly unfeasible to make in this part of the world unlike a few years ago as there are very few manufacturer to supply to new frames, which is very depressing.

[zia meadows]

there are lots of choices regarding lampshade making, most lampshades are pvc like the kit aliceswonderland made and the pvc provides a match test standard barrier between the fabric and bulb, some lampshades are all fabric stretched over a full frame (rather than a ring top and bottom) and these require flame retardent treatment which can be bought as a stray and is a really handy thing to have as a crafter.

[mod edit - please read the forum rules], regards Zia

[helenwlsn5]

Your idea is really great! Thanks for sharing your idea.

[funkifabrics]

You can get fire retardant spray from any good DIY store; B&Q should sell some that you can spray onto the fabric. I love lampshades, I recently bought myself a new ornate lamp that I plan on making a new shade for.

[ettikajewelry]

Its really a great idea of haviing the same lamp shade as the curtains.But as you asked wheather the material should be fire retardent or not....So in that case i dont think so you need a fire retardent material for that.Because the new energy-saver fluorescent bulbs doesnt gets hot at all.So no chance to catch fire regarding this matter.