How To Re-Cover a Lampshade

Place the lampshade on its side on the large sheet of paper, lining up its seam with the left edge of the paper.

Trace the bottom and top edge of the shade with your pencil, slowly rolling the shade as you go, until you get back to the seam.

Extend the two lines by an inch and draw a straight line between them.

Cut out the shape you’ve drawn.

Pin this paper pattern to your new fabric, then carefully cut out the new lampshade cover from the fabric, tracing around the paper.

On a leftover scrap of fabric, test your spray adhesive to make sure it won’t cause discoloration or show through on the other side.

Spray the inside of your new fabric with the adhesive.

Carefully place the lampshade onto the now-sticky fabric, lining up the seam with a short edge.

Slowly roll the shade over the fabric a little bit at a time, smoothing the fabric out toward the edges as you go, until your new cover is in place.

Trim away any bits of excess fabric that extend above or below the shade.

Allow the seam to overlap itself by at least a quarter inch in case the fabric shrinks a little as it dries.

Trim the bottom and top edge with a ribbon, cord, or fringe, using fabric glue or a hot glue gun to secure it a bit at a time.

Pin the trim in place as you go so it dries in a straight, neat line.

When the adhesive and glue have dried, return your shade to your lamp, and let your light shine.