Comment faire un abat-jour avec 2 cercles ?

On trace deux cercles, on les relie par une génératrice, puis on coupe la matière sur ce développé. Le grand cercle forme la base, le petit le sommet. Plus l'écart entre les deux diamètres est marqué, plus la lumière descend vers la table au lieu de filer vers le mur.

Quel tissu pour recouvrir un abat-jour ?

Le lin et le coton épais arrivent en tête : lumière chaude, ampoule invisible, tension facile. Un tissu trop fin marque au dos et laisse deviner le filament. Sur un relevé de 27 fiches de notre collection au 26 septembre 2026, le lin est déclaré sur 52 % du relevé, le tissu sur 26 %, le velours sur 15 %.

Comment peindre un abat-jour ?

On dépoussière, on dégraisse, puis on applique deux couches fines d'une peinture souple, acrylique mate ou peinture textile, en séchant entre les deux. Une couche épaisse craquelle dès que la douille chauffe.

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Lampshade tutorial: redo it or choose it, step by step

This article is also available in French: Tuto abat jour

26/09/2026 · 5 min read · By the Designix team

Draw two circles of different diameters, a wide one for the bottom, a narrower one for the top, then transfer the development of the truncated cone onto the material. Allow 1 cm of turn-in at the top and bottom. The tension of the fabric on the frame decides the result, both with the lamp on and off.

How do you make a lampshade with 2 circles?

You draw two circles, connect them with a generatrix, then cut the material along this development. The large circle forms the base, the small one the top. The greater the difference between the two diameters, the more the light travels down towards the table instead of shooting towards the wall.

Bottom width and height are chosen together. A shape that is too flat dazzles, a shape that is too tall narrows the beam. Before cutting, compare the proportions with the room: our decorating tips and inspiration help you find the right volume for the use, bedside, desk or living room corner.

Calculating the frame and the fabric development

The development starts from the perimeter, that is 3.14 multiplied by the diameter, plus the turn-in. The frame is built on the difference between the two circles.

Large circle: bottom diameter, it sets the width of the light skirt.
Small circle: top diameter, always wider than the socket.
Generatrix: distance between the two circles, it gives the height.
Turn-in: 1 to 2 cm at the top and bottom for gluing.

Metal frame or wooden rings?

Metal holds the shape, wood is quicker to work with. The weight of the fabric often settles the debate.

Criterion	Metal frame	Wooden rings
Fabric hold	Strong, the wire does not bend	Correct on light fabrics
Implementation	Welding or tying	Direct gluing
Heat	Dissipates better	Keep away from the socket
Style	Clean lines, taut lines	Craft look, softer

The same development logic applies when assembling several volumes, for example to make a pendant light with several lampshades.

Covering your frame: which material for which result?

	Taut fabric	Paper or polyphane	Raffia or rope	Paint on fabric
Difficulty	Intermediate	Easy	Intermediate	Easy
Key steps	Stretch without folds, glue the turn-ins	Smooth down, chase out the air	Knot row by row	Mask then paint in thin coats
Light given	Diffuse, warm	Diffuse, more contrasted	Very textured, warm	Depending on the opacity of the paint
Suitable shapes	Conical, cylindrical	Conical	Cylindrical	Any taut shape
Maintenance	Dry dusting	Dry cloth	Gentle vacuuming	Dry cloth
Point of vigilance	Fabric too thick = light off	Paper marks folds	Rope weighs down the frame	The pattern shows when lit

Making one takes time, especially on large diameters. Our collection of designer lampshades brings together 789 references as of 26 September 2026, in pendant, table lamp and floor lamp, for those who prefer a shape already stretched.

Which fabric to cover a lampshade?

Linen and thick cotton come first: warm light, invisible bulb, easy tension. A fabric that is too thin marks at the back and lets the filament show through. On a survey of 27 listings from our collection as of 26 September 2026, linen is declared on 52 % of the survey, fabric on 26 %, velvet on 15 %.

How do you cover a lampshade with fabric?

You glue the frame, lay the fabric flat, bring the two edges together, then fold back the turn-ins. The seam goes at the back, in line with the socket.

Ironing: before gluing, never after.
Glue: neoprene or textile glue, thin layer.
Sewing: straight stitch, fine needle, matching thread.
Drying: flat, without a bulb, a whole night.

On an already assembled frame, there is no need to redo the structure: the method to change the fabric of a lampshade is quicker than a full assembly.

What to replace the polyphane with?

This translucent plastic that doubles the lampshade is replaced by thick tracing paper, a thin polypropylene, or an opaque fabric that takes over and softens everything.

Tracing paper: soft result, yellows near a hot bulb.
Polypropylene: more resistant, to be placed away from the socket.
Opaque linen: zero direct light, cosy atmosphere.
Thin cardboard: for small lamps, it marks folds.

Salvaged materials do not like humidity, and our note on the cardboard lampshade says exactly what to avoid.

A light fabric, on the other hand, is dusted with a roller passed on the inside and washed rarely. The guide to caring for a fabric lampshade details the steps.

How do you paint a lampshade?

You dust, degrease, then apply two thin coats of a flexible paint, matte acrylic or textile paint, drying between the two. A thick coat cracks as soon as the socket heats up.