- Dec 18, 2017

How to make a Christmas lantern!

Learn how to make a festive, Christmas lantern with Daisy Jane Shades.

Hello! I have a small Lampshade business called ‘Daisy Jane Shades’ and at Christmas time I like to make these Christmas Lanterns. They have proved very popular and are a lovely Christmas Decoration to add sparkle to any mantelpiece or shelf.

This is how I made my Reindeer lantern

You will need a piece of Christmas fabric of your choice. I buy a Fat Quarter of fabric which will usually make about 3 lanterns, depending on the pattern. I have used this ‘Scandi 3 Reindeer Linen’ made by ‘The Henley Studio’. You will also need:

Needcraft Lantern kit Scissors Ribbon Glue

Take the ironed fabric and take off the backing from the PVC. Carefully position the PVC on the wrong side of the fabric. Make sure that your pattern is in line with the edge of the PVC so it doesn’t look wonky! Press down firmly.

Buy Your Lantern Kit HERE

Cut the excess fabric neatly around the edges of the PVC. Fold and break the seal along the scored edges of the PVC, and carefully peel off the two strips of PVC. Trim off any frayed fabric edges.

Take the double-sided tape provided and stick down along the edge of one of the short sides.

Take two of the metal rings in the kit and stick the double-sided tape around each ring. Remove the top tape protective layer from the rings and start to roll by pressing each firmly on to the PVC along the long edge, and rolling towards the taped seam edge. When you reach the end, peel off the tape’s top layer, and roll and press the seam firmly.

Buy Your Lantern Kit HERE

Carefully roll the fabric over the rings, and you can use the finishing tool provided to tuck the fabric under the ring, to make a neat edge with no messy bits sticking out. Insert the plastic solid bottom along with the plastic ring.

Now for the decoration. I apply a strip of double-sided tape around the lantern in the desired position and peel the backing off. I then take a piece of ribbon about half a metre, and carefully wrap around the lantern, sticking it onto the tape.

Tie a nice bow and I add a dab of fabric glue to the tails of the ribbon, to keep neat and secure. You can use any kind of decoration, I have previously used small shell buttons.

Merry Christmas and happy making!

Buy Your Lantern Kit HERE

Here is the finished Lantern. You can use battery tea lights, but I prefer to use these Needcraft LED wire lights, as they are more twinkly and add a touch of warmth to a Mantelpiece or shelf.