Recycled Lamp From T Shirt.

A cheap and cheerful way to light up your life.

Posted by sugarandspice

About

I wanted a cheap and personal lamp for my bedroom, and saw these hanging baskets in the €2 shop. First I was thinking about covering them in thin paper and glue, but then my eyes fell on an old t shirt just about to go to the charity shop. I thought it would be quick and easy to use that instead.

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You Will Need (6 things)

  • 2 x Wire Hanging Flower Basket These come in different colours and shapes. I got mine at the €2 shop.
  • 1 x Old Child's T Shirt This was tie-dyed by my daughter a while back but it is too small now. You can use any colour or patterned t shirt.
  • 1 m Craft Wire You can use any type of thin metal wire for this project.
  • Sewing Machine (Unless You Hand Sew)
  • Bead(s) , Origami Cranes Or Any Other Embellishments.I used some cranes I had folded earlier because I like them so much. Any kind of ribbon or fabric torn into strips would look good here I think.
  • Sewing Thread

Steps (7 steps, 60 minutes)

  1. 1

    I unclipped the hanging chains from the baskets and turned the t shirt inside out.

  2. 2

    I used short pieces of wire to attach the two baskets in four places and form a globe shape. I sewed a seam on each side of the tshirt, starting at the top close to the neck and gently curving outward. Depending on the size of your tshirt you might not need to sew all the way to the bottom.

  3. 3

    I cut away the fabric close to the seam and turned the t shirt back again.

  4. 4

    I cut away some triangles from the bottom to make the lamp look more interesting. You can make these longer or shorter depending on your taste and the length of your t shirt.

  5. 5

    My light fitting looked like this with three hooks where the previous lamp had been attached. I slid the fabric ower the wire globe and used the round hole where the head goes through at the top for attaching the globe with wire to the three hooks. Depending on your light fitting you might have to come up with another solution. It is important that your bulb is positioned in the middle of the globe, far away from the fabric and that you leave the hole at the top open for heat to escape.

  6. 6

    Now for the fun part, turning on the lights for the first time. The lamp reminds me of a jellyfish.

  7. 7

    I added some beads and origami cranes to make the lamp look more interesting. You can use fabric strips, ribbons, lace or yarns here. Anything goes really. Just tie your decorations to the bottom wires in the globe, and make sure they are not too close to the light bulb. I use an energy saver bulb that stays quite cool, to avoid any fire hazard. Have fun if you make your own lamp and please post your version.