This project finds another use for those old tomato frames, turning them into fabric lanterns.

You can use any material for the shade. I used muslin and gussied it up with floral appliques attached using paper-backed fusible webbing. Sold in craft stores, the webbing is a wonderful invention that allows you to fuse two fabrics with an iron – no sewing required.

Or skip that step and use patterned fabric. I’ve even turned ripped bedsheets and old pillowcases into fabric lanterns.

The tomato cage lanterns are finished with simple hand stitching, but don’t let that put you off the project: Passing a needle back and forth along the top and bottom goes quickly. And if your stitching isn’t even, don’t worry. Once you place a flickering light inside, all eyes will be on the twilight glow.

You’ll need:

Tomato cage (I used a standard hardware-store variety, 33 inches tall with three rings and three legs)

Strong wire cutters or hacksaw

1 yard of fabric, such as muslin or cotton

10 to 12 clothespins

Fabric pen, water-soluble ink

Fabric scissors

Needle and thread

Battery-operated votive candle

For applique:

Scraps of patterned fabric in a similar weight as the base fabric

Paper-based fusible webbing

Regular scissors

Iron

What you do:

1. Turn the tomato cage upside down, with its largest ring at the bottom. Wearing safety glasses, carefully use wire cutters or a hacksaw to trim the upright prongs from the cage just above the smallest ring.

2. Working with the wider end of the cage on a table, hang the fabric around the top ring of the cage, with at least 1 inch folded over to the inside. Secure in place with clothespins. Let any excess fabric hang. You will trim it after fitting all of the fabric to the cage.

3. Pull the fabric taut to the bottom ring and secure in place with clothespins. Continue this around the bottom of the cage.

4. Trace along the top and bottom openings with the fabric pen. Next, trace along an upright support at a point where the seam should be. Then cut the fabric 1 inch beyond the marked line. Place clothespins at the top and bottom of the fabric to secure. As if you’re closing curtains, pull the fabric from the other direction to overlap beyond the fabric you just cut. Pin in place and trace along the same upright support on the unmarked end of the fabric. Also mark where you want appliques to be attached if using.

5. Remove all the clothespins and lay the fabric on a flat surface. Cut 1 inch beyond your markings. If you are adding appliques, do this now following the instructions for the paper-based fusible webbing.

6. Re-drape the fabric onto the cage, folding it over the top and bottom rings. Re-secure with clothespins.

7. Double-thread the needle and knot together the long ends. Starting on the inside of the top of the cage, sew the fabric in place with a running stitch: Pass the needle through both layers of folded fabric to the front. Bring the needle back to the inside of the cage, about 1/4 to 1/2 inch along the fabric. Repeat all the way around. Do the same along the bottom, pulling the fabric taut as you sew.

8. There are a few options for finishing the side seam. If your fabric is pulled taut, you may not need to sew it closed because it will lie flat. To sew it closed, fold the overlapping edge 1/4 to 1/2 inch to the inside and stitch closed, placing your arm and hand inside the cage to steady the area you’re sewing.

9. Place the battery-operated candle inside the lantern to light.