Lamp Shade Refashion
March 4, 2010 5:25 pmTo finish off our lamp makeover, let’s make a great shade to go with it. Start with a basic shaped lamp shade.
Peel the tape off the top and bottom. If you’re using the same shade fabric to recover it you can reuse this tape. If the color is different you can leave it unfinished or get some bias tape in a matching color.
Measure the circumference of the shade.
I used a light chiffon to recover this so you could see through when the light was on. Take your circumference measurement and times it by 2.5 to get the length you need. Make sure your width is the width of the shade PLUS 2 inches.
Then, ruffle each side of the fabric.
Take your chiffon piece and start by pinning in to the top of the shade Make sure you fold the chiffon over the edge and that you get the pieces folded over on the backside pinned as well. After you pin the top do the same all the way around the bottom.
After you pin it well, get a upholstery needle and some thicker thread and sew the shade in place, going from from to back so you get all of it sewn. This takes a little bit of time, but trust me- chiffon and hot glue is a burn accident waiting to happen. I know from experience…
When you’re done sewing the top and bottom, trim off any excess on the back of the shade.
Now for the decor on lampshade. Get some ribbon. I used this charcoal grossgrain to tie in with my base. You will need 3 times your circumference.
Fold it over as shown…
…then fold it like this to create small box pleats.
Pin in place and do the whole strip like this.
Stitch in place down the middle.
Now you can hot glue this to your shade.
You can reattach the tape that some shade have or use bias tape to finish off the top and bottom. I didn’t have the right color so I did without for the pictures.
Add a lovely finial and you’re done!
I really love this detail.
And I don’t think I showed you all my MAJOR score of the year. I have been pining over old mailboxes for years now, finally came across this dream one and got it for FREE!
Isn’t it dreamy? I have BIG plans for his…
Enjoy! Add pics to the flickr group!
Posted in home, refashions | 12 Comments »
By Nicole @ Ruffles and Fringe on Mar 4, 2010 | Reply
I love this! So beautiful.
By rosie on Mar 4, 2010 | Reply
Love this~sweet!
By Savannah on Mar 5, 2010 | Reply
Too cute! I love love love this lampshade. I am really in awe. And Im drooling over your mail boxes…good find.
By Erika on Mar 5, 2010 | Reply
really beautiful lampshade!!! So feminine
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By Suzanne on Mar 5, 2010 | Reply
Love the mailboxes! The lampshade is gorgeous, too, I especially love the ribbon detail! It reminds me of a part in the movie Bright Star where Fanny Brawne was sewing some trim by hand.
By Brandi on Mar 5, 2010 | Reply
I love that lampshade, very pretty!
By Brandi on Mar 5, 2010 | Reply
I love your lampshade, very pretty!
By Amy on Mar 6, 2010 | Reply
Gorgeous, very fancy looking! That mailbox is amazing too; I have a couple of old post office filing drawers at home, but I’d love one of these to stash pretty things in
By LightView on Jul 12, 2010 | Reply
These are awesome. Such a great idea. I wish I would think of this for my bedroom.
By Linda on Mar 12, 2011 | Reply
This is great! I have a lampshade that’s in need of a facelift.
By Carol on Apr 13, 2011 | Reply
It’s a wonderful transformation! I love the addition of the ribbon.
By dettreylewis on Aug 15, 2011 | Reply
Great I love it am going to my sewing room and see what I have in my stash!!!