Lampshade making tips: How to tuck fabric around the rings on a drum lampshade

Do you get frustrated with bulky and unsightly fabric around the top and bottom rings (rolled edge) of your handmade drum or coolie lampshades? Read on for more top tips from our Lampshade makers group to help you make professional lampshades.

How to neatly tuck fabric into the top and base ring on a drum or coolie lampshade?

When making lampshades there are many variables to consider, not least the type of fabric you are using. For a drum or coolie lampshade you will find less weighty cotton fabrics are easier to work with than a heavy wool, velvet or Harris Tweed. The latter will be harder to tuck in around the edges of the rings and you will possibly need slightly more fabric to ensure tucking the edges in thoroughly.

Tips

• Iron your fabric first, this makes the fabric stiffer and easier to work with

  
  

• Starching the fabric will give it even more structure, but be aware of making it too stiff as this won't be flexible enough to curl around the rings

If the fabric is thick I usually cut it a little wider at the seam end to ensure there is enough to tuck in

• A few of our professional makers in the group suggest leaving a ‘tab’ (excess fabric) at the outside end of the fabric (see the image below), particularly when creating a folded seam edge. This ensures there is enough fabric to tuck under the rings where the fabric is at its bulkiest due to being doubled up at the seam.

Jane Warren – The Lampshade Loft

• Reduce the bulk by cutting a little bit out from the layer underneath (at the seam, as above).

  
  

• Cut according to fabric thickness, not just around the PVC. I usually allow an extra couple of mm around the PVC edge.

I suggest start tucking under two or three tucks, then move along 2 or 3 inches then working back to where you started then repeating. This should stop the fabric gathering. (On rolling the fabric around the rings). Marg Hinds

When applying your double sided tape to the rings you can do it in three ways:

• Apply the tape to your fabric

• Apply the tape to your rings along the length of the rings

• Apply your tape wrapped around the rings, as pictured below:

This is the way I’ve always done it (I was taught to do it this way), I find it helps when tucking the fabric under. If I’m making 15cm or smaller I put it on the other way (not wrapped round just on the outside edge) Emma Rockman

• When pulling the fabric over the top rings, pull it upwards first, then over, then tuck under the rings. ‘I find if I use a very thin fabric, it can pucker around the rings. Having the vertical pull up first avoids this’.

  
  

• When using tricky fabric this technique has been suggested:  

Use a thin layer of interlining in the ring creates padding which ensures you don’t get any wrinkles.

• It is possible to cover the rolled edge with tape or bias binding, as featured below:

Ruth Kirby

Tucking Tools

Our obvious go-to choice of tool for tucking in your fabric seam allowance – the section that’s revealed once you pull away the pre-scored kiss cut– is the Rolled Edge Tool tool, that's supplied in every Lampshade Making Kit.

Made from flexible plastic, it's been designed to allow you to ‘tuck’ the fabric under the rings of the lampshade, to hide any raw edges and give a good-as-shop-bought clean, crisp finish to the top and bottom edges of your lampshade.

Through different stages of tucking the fabric under, the serrated edge is useful for starting the process. By positioning this where the fabric meets the ring nearest the PVC you can gently partially push the fabric between the ring and the PVC.

The pointed corner is great for coaxing the fabric under, while the smooth sides are useful for running around the inside of the ring to capture any loose threads.

Alternatively, our latest tool (June 2025) is an an updated and improved version of our popular Rolled Edge Tool and benefits from being:

• A robust shape manufactured from nylon

• A compact size for hard-to-reach areas, when tucking fabric under the lampshade rings

• A grip surface on both sides

  
  

This tool is now provided with all Lampshade Making Kits, Manufacturing Packs and Workshop packs.

How do you finish yours?

We’d love to hear other tips in the comments below!

These tips are from the lovely members of our lampshade makers group, would you like to join for support and inspiration with your DIY lampshades? Join HERE.

For more professional lampshade making tips read head to our How to Make a Lampshade section on the blog.

Are you ready to buy your first lampshade making kit? See our huge range of lampshade making supplies and kits HERE

#DIYlampshade #drumlampshade