Zipper Lamp

The zipper lamp is ideal for setting just the right mood in a variety of settings. You always have just as much light as you need. One can assert that it is the only lamp you will ever need, but you would probably be wrong. You probably will need more than just this zipper lamp to light your domicile, but it would be fair to say the zipper lamp is a great start. The best apart is that it can be made in under an hour if you are proficient with a sewing machine. Make yours today!

You will need:

15' of "make your own zipper" material
An Ikea light socket
1' tall Ikea cylinder lamp shade (or similar)
12" x 12" sheet of white acrylic
An awesome Epilog Laser Cutter
(x4) nuts and bolts
(x4) bolt covers
5 minute Epoxy
Diagonal cutting pliers
A sewing machine
White thread
A sewing needle
Scissors
1' metal armature

(Please note that some of the links on this page contain affiliate links. This does not change the cost of the item for you. I reinvest whatever proceeds I receive into making new projects.)

Pin the zipper to for a circle with a diameter of roughly 5-1/2" to 6".

Machine sew in a spiral to form a tube.

As you get to the end of the spiral, you will probably need to move all of the zips out of the way before you can continue sewing.

Strip the cover off the lamp shade until you are left with the wire frame.

Laser cut a 5" base for the lamp to sit upon using the file attached below.

If you don't have a laser cutter, you could print out the file and use a saw and a drill.

Pass the lamp cord through the hole in the center of the acrylic base piece.

Attach the lamp armature to the socket.

Insert bolts through all of the smaller bolt holes and fasten them on with a nut.

Slide a white thread cover over the end of each bolt.

Epoxy the socket to the center of the base and your are done.

Using your steel wire, bend a spiral armature to create what looks like a giant split washer. This should fit snugly on the inside diameter of your zipper tube.

Hand sew this is place at one end of the tube, having the wire follow the seam between zippers.

Cut the large ring off the end of the lamp bracket with your diagonal cutting pliers.

Slide each leg of the lamp frame between the zipper tube and armature frame.

If your lamp frame happens to have conveniently located notches upon which you can rest the zipper lamp shade, then rest it upon these notches and breathe a sigh of relief.

If not, somehow fasten your lamp shade to these bars. Perhaps try using small zip ties to hold it in place.

Trim the bars of the lamp frame so that they are not sticking out the top.

Insert a light bulb.

Plug it in.

Turn it on.

Adjust it to your liking.