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Clean hessian sacks as best you can: use a vacuum cleaner to remove dust and dirt, spray them down with a hose, then dry completely in the sun. Unpick the seams and lay the bags out flat on a table or on the floor.
Measure the lampshade’s height and circumference. Add 5cm to each dimension for seam allowances. Identify any text or image on the sack you want to feature and cut the fabric for the lampshade so the design is as close to the centre as possible. Mark the shape with tailor's chalk, then draw out threads to ensure you cut the fabric straight.
Stabilise the raw edges of the fabric by applying double-sided adhesive tape to the wrong side of the long edges (top and bottom).Remove the backing paper from the adhesive and apply bias binding tape over the adhesive, ironing it according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Place adhesive tape on the right side of the short edges, then remove backing paper. Fold the fabric with right sides together so the raw edges align. Use an iron to fuse together the seam allowances but don’t turn it right-side out yet.
Cut a strip of bias binding tape the same length as the seam, open out the folds and pin the tape so the top fold lines up with the seam line of the lampshade: remember that you have cut a 2.5cm seam allowance. Use a sewing machine to stitch along the seam line through the bias tape. Use a long stitch setting and a needle suitable for heavy fabric if you have one.
Trim back the seam allowance to the edge of the bias binding tape. Fold the tape over the raw edges of the seam allowance and pin it in place. Use the machine to stitch the fold of the tape to the opposite side of the seam.
Turn the cylinder of fabric right side out and slip it over the lampshade frame.
Stitch the fabric to the lampshade frame using ecru crochet cotton and a chenille needle.
Fold the edges of the hessian fabric reinforced with the bias tape to the wrong side of the shade. Beginning at the seam, stitch in
a zigzag fashion from top to bottom to top to bottom, like the lacing on a drum. Keep your stitches fairly close together (about 2.5cm apart) to ensure that the tension of the fabric is even.
See more creative ways to use hessian.
Want more? Check out the How to decorate with hessian gallery.
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