How do you know that the poster board won't catch on fire?

Tall drum shades are either hard to find or expensive at the moment, so I'd like to make my own. But I'm afraid of the poster board catching on fire because I remember almost burning the house down with a few experiments my sister and I did as young girls, like draping a scarf over the lamp on our shared bedside table and tucking playing cards inside the lampshade because we thought it was cool that you could see through the cards. Fortunately, we were there when these naive decor strategies began to smoke a little bit and tragedy, as well as our parents' knowledge, was narrowly averted.

I too would like to know if it is safe to use poster board...

You could always use a bulb that doesn't get hot, like an LED or something similar.

I just bought a drum shade from Ikea for about $30. It comes with the new fixture which we needed in order to update our light. Ikea's diffuser is paper but between it and the light there's a thick piece of clear plastic, like the kind you would find in a cheap picture frame. Not sure where you can find that kind of thick but bendable plastic but for those who are worried about the poster board having an issue that might work. However, with the energy efficient lights out there now, they don't get that hot and poster board isn't ON them so it should be fine.

Is the diffuser made of the same poster board?

This is great! I have always hated the "boob" light fixtures that are everywhere!!

I can understand all the concerns surrounding the possibility of a fire hazard. I recommend using fluorescent or LED light bulbs and to design your shade so that it leaves enough space for the air to circulate and the heat to dissipate. As an alternative to poster board, you can use clear flexible acrylic plexiglass sheets. Hope this helps.

Isabelle

The light diffuser can be made from a fluorescent lighting panel (plastic) or from a flexible chopping mat (also plastic).

Isabelle

Embroidery hoops are used in so many crafts, it's a wonder Michael's and other craft stores haven't commissioned a company to make sturdy, simple hoops in different sizes. You don't need the connector anymore, since you're not using the 2 hoops to trap fabric.

This is helpful - I think our rental fixtures were designed during a 70s acid trip. If you're worried about the heat, make the shade wide enough for a few inches of breathing room between the shade and the original light fixture!

Also, as much as people worry about using different types of paper in lamps, there sure are a bunch of craft projects promoting it (recently seen on AT). It would be nice to get the definitive word as to its safety or what a type of paper we should be using. Eg, Is it ok as long as the paper doesn't touch the light bulb?

"It would be nice to get the definitive word as to its safety or what a type of paper we should be using. "
We could all give our personal views, but really the best people to ask are fire-fighters. Not only have they attended countless house-fires, they're usually also tertiary educated in fire physics/ chemistry / engineering.

Wow can I use this idea to hide my ugly lights! I was always at a loss for how I could camouflage them. Lighting makes such a difference in a home. Can't wait to start making my own! Thanks!

Look for drum shades on craig's list or the clearence bins. I purchased a large drum shade for $13.00 at Pier 1 imports because the base of the lamp broke.
I also purchased smaller drum shades; about 10" long and maybe 6-7" wide-2 for $10.00. I think that might be cheaper than making them.
But if you are going to try this, consult the fire dept. Can't hurt.

Oh sorry...the 2 smaller ones I found on craig's list.

Thanks for your responses and suggestions. I'll consult with the fire department.

Wow! This is so easy and I love that I can use any color or pattern that appeals to me! I have always thought the lights in my living room were so boring, so this seems like a easy way to spruce things up.

Instead of using a plastic diffuser, you can simply stretch the fabric directly onto the embroidery hoop as if you were going to embroider! Coat the portion of the inner hoop where the fabric will sandwich between the 2 hoops with a thin layer of Mod Podge or fabric glue, stretch your fabric and let the glue dry. Now you can remove the hoop clamp and cover your edge with ribbon. This technique allows better airflow to the light fixture.

"The diameter and overall size of the shade should be large enough to leave sufficient clearance around the existing fixture to allow the air to circulate and the heat to dissipate. Incandescent lighting should be avoided."

The issue is addressed in step one.

You can also use the plastic diffuser material to make the sides, instead of poster board. This is what I did (using a 50% off coupon to buy a pack of the thin plastic sheets in the quilting section at Jo-Anns) and I love the results!! The plastic lets more light through as well. I would definitely be wary of using poster board. I wrote about my project here: http://house-capades.blogspot.com/2012/07/surprise-chevronical-finish.html

The shade is fairly easy to make with these excellent directions...however attaching it is a challenge unless your fixture is exactly like the one shown. My super cool drum shade did not work on any of the light fixtures in the house...bummer

To goodwill to find parts for this! I have the poster board and fabric. Just need the right sized rings. Heck i might just buy them retail ( with my joann's coupon of course). My light that helps my closet is bad vintage, as compared with the good vintage I like. I can't wait to do this!!