Next Club Live: (25th July at 16:00 UK time)

Beginner Patchwork Lampshade | Guest Designer Jenny Jackson

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Beginner Patchwork Lampshade | Guest Designer Jenny Jackson

This gemstone patchwork lampshade by guest designer Jenny Jackson is a beautiful way to explore English Paper Piecing while creating something truly practical for your home.

If you’ve ever fancied trying English Paper Piecing (EPP), this project is a perfect place to start. Using simple hand-sewing techniques, you’ll gradually build a striking panel from carefully joined shapes, allowing the geometric design and tonal fabric choices to really shine. Once your EPP panel is complete, it’s transformed into a structured lampshade using an easy, modern backing method that gives a clean, professional finish.

Top English Paper Piecing tips

  • Even, accurate seam allowances make your finished panel sit flat when it’s wrapped around the lampshade backing.
  • Always give the EPP panel a good press while the papers are still inside to lock in the shape and sharpness.
  • Avoid bulky seams and trim any thread tails so the panel sits smoothly on the adhesive backing.
  • Dry lay your EPP panel on the lampshade backing first so you check the alignment before committing.
  • About the book

    This project has been extracted from English Paper Piecing Workshop: 18 EPP Projects for Beginners and Beyond. Inside, you'll find 18 projects for the home in a variety of sizes so you can build up to a full-sized quilt but you can also dip in and out of some smaller projects such as coasters, wall hangings and cushions while you hone your skills.

    Member discount

    Don't forget, you can get 30% off Jenny’s book with your member discount. Simply add English Paper Piecing to your basket and apply the code at the check-out stage.

    Get to know Jenny Jackson

    Jenny Jackson is a UK-based textile designer, EPP specialist, and sewing demonstrator known for her bright, geometric patchwork style and approachable teaching style. Jenny regularly appears on UK craft television, including Sewing Street, where she demonstrates her designs and inspires viewers with her calm, encouraging approach to sewing. You can head to our blog to read our interview with Jenny here.

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    You will need:

    Equipment

    • Sewing machine
    • Pegs
    • Blunt knife

    Materials

    • Turquoise novelty print fabric, 50cm (½yd or 18in) 
    • Dark blue tone-on-tone fabric, 40cm (⅜yd or 16in)
    • Turquoise tone-on-tone, one fat quarter 
    • Self-adhesive lampshade backing material, 32.5cm x 96.5cm (13in x 38in)
    • Circular lampshade frame (two rings, a top and bottom ring), 11.75in (30cm) diameter
    • Double-sided sticky tape: one roll of 21mm (2.1cm); one roll of 12mm (1.2cm)

    Cutting guide

    • Turquoise novelty print: 29 of Template A, 2 of Template D
    • Dark blue tone-on-tone: 20 of Template B, 18 of Template C, Four of Template F
    • Turquoise tone-on-tone: 18 of Template B, 4 of Template E

    Lampshade size

    • 13½in (33.5cm) high x 12in (30cm) diameter

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    Project steps:

    MEMBERS ONLY: To gain full access to the Half Yard Club projects please login or sign up

    Step 1

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    MEMBERS ONLY: To gain full access to the Half Yard Club projects please login or sign up

    Step 2

    This is content that only logged members can see! Please create an account or login to be able to view project steps, otherwise you'll be limited to non-member content.

    This is content that only logged members can see! Please create an account or login to be able to view project steps, otherwise you'll be limited to non-member content.

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