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    • Feb 24, 2022

#memadeshade January 2022 winner

Updated: Oct 11, 2023

Entering her first hard lampshade into our #memadeshade competition, January's winner, Amie of @tea_and _the _radio chose a vibrant Colefax and Fowler fabric, which she simply loves, to make up her Coolie Lampshade Making Kit. We love the pop of vibrant green that's perfect for Spring!


Huge congratulations to Amie! She wins a £100 gift voucher to spend at Dannells and it sounds like it will come in handy, as she reveals her plans for making more lampshades in the Q&A below.




Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and the creative things that you do?

I am a lawyer by trade and so do not have a creative background, but I have always really enjoyed making things and love to try out different crafts. I am always looking for courses! I find the process of doing something with your hands very satisfying and meditative. I have always been drawn to textile crafts and over the last few years, I have become increasingly interested in colour and pattern.


Are you a newbie lampshade maker or have you made up a Needcraft Lampshade making kit before?

I have attended courses on making pleated and gathered shade making but this is the first 'hard' shade I have made. Hard shades are much quicker to make than hand sewn shades, it is great to be able to get your shade on the lamp the same day!


What do you love about the shade you entered for the #memadeshade competition?

The fabric! One of my absolute favourites, it is called 'squiggle' from Colefax & Fowler and comes in a few colours. I had a little chair upholstered in it and had some leftover and thought I would try making a hard shade.


What’s do you like most about the Needcraft lampshade making kits?

The kits are great because you get everything you need in one box, so there is no need to worry about buying lots of bits and pieces. It is very handy for the first time to have the template already cut to shape and size. There are some brilliant tutorials on YouTube with tips on techniques to give a professional finish.


Any plans to make more lampshades?

Yes! I made a little one for my son's bedroom with a lovely patterned paper I had, and a friend who also loves the 'squiggle' fabric has asked me to make a larger one for her standard lamp. It is much more nerve-wracking making one for someone else! I think lamps and shades can be so transformative in a room and are an easy way to use a colour or pattern that you might not want to use on a larger or more permanent scale.


January's Most Liked Shades


There is nothing remotely similar about this month's January's Most Liked Shades (we sometimes spot an uncanny theme) which shows that whatever shape, style or size of shade you want to make, it's all possible! Using velvet, free machine embroidery and unique designer and self-designed fabrics, here are what our fantastic makers have to say about their shades...


Limited edition 🌟

New handmade lamp💡for nature lovers.

Lampshade 25 cm diameter, 21 cm high. Total lamp high 55 cm.

Beautiful light stripe fabric inside.

Simple Ikea high-quality lamp base.


I really enjoy making super size lampshades! This 50cm diameter Hellebore design is a bespoke request from a customer. The best way to convey the size of it is a disembodied headshot, of course!


NEW! gilhoolie embroidered lampshade, nearly ready to go off to its new home. This one features a pink rose, daisies (with gold French knots), greeny/yellow hydrangea and a pale blue butterfly. I think it might be my new favourite 😍 However, it's a commission so is already taken I'm afraid... I'll try and make another reel tomorrow so you can see all the details.


Get in touch if you'd like to order your very own bespoke embroidered lampshade, I'd love to hear from you! I'll be working on some new ones soon, watch this space...


Hello all, 😊

I am sharing with you my last edition coolie lampshade in Tilly ann Sage from @ernestandmatilda

Available in my shop (link in bio)

I am wishing you a lovely evening

Vi ❤


Enter our #memadeshade competition


It's super simple to enter our #memadeshade Instagram competition. Just make a lampshade from any of our lampshade making kits and follow the steps below. And if you want to check out the hashtag #memadeshade for inspiration in advance, we've had over 5000 shades enter since we started!


Here's a reminder of what to do...

  1. Simply take a picture of your proudest lampshade from one of our kits and enter on Instagram following the steps below:

  2. Follow @needcraft if you haven’t already

  3. Post an image of a lampshade you’ve made from an @needcraft lampshade making kit and tag with #memadeshade and the type of kit you used i.e 30cm Drum shade kits, Square kit etc.

  4. And any size and shape can be entered so display those drums shades, exhibit your empires and reveal your rectangles – any lampshade from one of our kits counts!

For full terms and conditions click here.


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