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How to Recover a Lampshade

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As a decorating enthusiast, I tend to find myself wanting to update my decor far more than my budget will allow. To get my decorating fix, I am always on the lookout for ways that I can use only what I have on hand to achieve the looks I love, and today I am going to share with you one of the recent lamp updates I completed for the table in my front entry. For this project, I used only items I had on hand to transform this sad little guy…

…into this!

Did you know that it is possible to take an old lampshade and completely recover it while keeping the lining intact? This is a great way to showcase fabrics you love in a polished, professional-looking way. Because the original shade on my lamp was misshapen from an unfortunate incident involving one of my son’s Hotwheels (don’t ask 😉, I opted to use a shade that was in the giveaway pile in my garage for this project. The basic process I use for shade-recovering projects like this one is really quite simple. Let me show you how to do it!

For this project, you will need…

  • An old lampshade
  • Fabric
  • E6000 adhesive
  • Scissors
  • Packaged double-fold bias tape (one package of three yards was more than enough for my smallish shade here)
  • Other decorative trim (optional)


To start, carefully remove the trim from the shade, placing all of the pieces in a pile as you go. (You’ll need these for their dimensions later on.)

Once the trim is removed, start to work removing the fabric from the shade. The key here is to remove only the outer fabric layer from the shade and not the inner lining. To start, use very sharp scissors to pierce the top layer of fabric along the bottom edge of the shade, and then simply cut around the perimeter of the shade along this edge to remove the fabric. Cut up one of the side seams, and then cut around the top edge in a similar fashion.

Lay your removed outer fabric piece on a flat surface, and take a good look at how it is assembled. Is it all one piece, or does it consist of various sections? The fabric for my shade was actually comprised of six separate pieces sewn together, so I cut each section apart at their seam line. If your shade fabric is all one piece, you can use this piece in its entirety as a pattern for cutting your fabric. If it composed of pieces stitched together as mine was, cut the pieces apart at their seams. 

Using the fabric piece(s) as a pattern, lay each one on top of your new fabric and cut 1/4″ around each one. (This extra 1/4″ compensates for the seam allowance of the original pieces, and it gives you wiggle room to adjust the fabric pieces when you affix them to the shade later on.)

Next, take your lampshade frame and start affixing the fabric pieces to it using your adhesive. I used E6000 here because it is strong enough to hold up over time, but it dries clear and flexible, making it perfect for fabric projects.

See how this frame is divided into six sections? 

If your frame is composed of an even number of sections like this one (most are) you will adhere fabric to three of these sections first, leaving a blank space between each section. To start affixing fabric to the frame, run a thin line of the adhesive around the entire perimeter of the first section: top, bottom, left and right. Then, place your fabric on top of the adhesive, stretching it gently to make it taut. If your fabric overlaps into the next section or over the top and bottom of your shade, don’t worry: you can trim away the excess later on.

Skip over the section of the shade directly next to the fabric you just adhered. Adhere your next piece of fabric in the same manner in the space on the other side of the section you just skipped. When that piece is adhered, skip another section and then adhere your third fabric piece in the same manner. Allow these pieces to dry for 15 minutes or so, and then use sharp scissors to carefully trim away any of the excess fabric that hangs over the edges of each section. (Skipping a space between each section as you work allows you to clean up the edges of these pieces, something you could do if you did them all in a row. Make sense?)

Now, fill the remaining three blank sections of your shade with fabric, adhering and trimming in the same manner. 

Using the trim pieces you reserved earlier, cut pieces of pre-made packaged bias tape (or custom-made bias tape, if you’re feeling particularly ambitious) to these lengths. Working at the overlap line between your shade sections, run a thin line of adhesive from the top tot he bottom of your shade, as shown. 

Adhere a short bias tape piece to this line. Unfold the tape, and run another line of adhesive on the inside of the piece, pressing it to close. Repeat with each of the remaining vertical overlap lines on your shade. 

Now, run a line of adhesive on the top of your shade, and attach the corresponding bias tape piece to this line. When you get to the end of this piece, fold it under by about 1/2″ and then glue this down to conceal the raw edge. 

Repeat the preceding step on the bottom edge of your shade. Or, alternatively, glue a decorative trim to this edge instead of the bias tape. I used a section of pretty organza ribbon.

Your good-as-new, recovered shade is complete! 

For my base, I primed it before applying a coat of brass liquid gilding and then a coat of acrylic spray sealer.

I finished everything off with a sash made of coordinating fabric before popping on my newly updated shade.

I love the way the bright Joel Dewberry fabric pops against the warm metallic tone of the base, and I think the organza ribbon adds such a feminine touch. 

I hope this project has inspired you to take a fresh look at the items you already have in your home before embarking on your next decorating project. Once you have tackled recovering one lampshade, you’ll probably want to start giving a facelift to every shade in your home! 

***

I hope everyone had a fabulous Mothers’ Day weekend full of pampering and relaxation!

Thanks so much for making me a part of your day.

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Linking this to…
Serenity Now
Tatertots and Jello
Home Stories A to Z
Oopsey Daisy
Creations by Kara
Every Creative Endeavor

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Comments

  2. Jill says

    So pretty! If my two year old hadn’t broken all the lamps in my house, I would totally do this! LOL

    Jill @ Create.Craft.Love.

  6. Kara says

    I’ve never wanted to tackle a paneled lampshade, but now I totally think I could! Love how yours turned out, especially with that gorgeous trim on the bottom. So pretty!