How to Re-Cover a Lampshade
Updating an old lampshade is a great way to brighten up a corner, freshen up a room, and lighten up your life.
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You Will Need
- A lamp with a non-pleated lampshade
- A large sheet of newspaper or craft paper
- A pencil
- A pair of sharp scissors
- Some pins
- The fabric of your choice
- Spray adhesive
- Fabric glue
- And some ribbon or cording
- A hot glue gun
- And some craft glue
Steps
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Step 1
Remove lampshade
Remove the lampshade from the lamp.
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Step 2
Place on side
Place the lampshade on its side on the large sheet of paper, lining up its seam with the left edge of the paper.
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If your shade is much wider at the bottom than the top, place the shade near the bottom of the paper's edge.
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Step 3
Trace edges
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.
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Step 4
Draw line
Extend the two lines by an inch and draw a straight line between them.
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Step 5
Cut out shape
Cut out the shape you've drawn.
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If you want to crease your fabric under for finished edges, cut about a half inch outside the lines.
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Step 6
Cut out fabric
Pin this paper pattern to your new fabric, then carefully cut out the new lampshade cover from the fabric, tracing around the paper.
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Step 7
Test adhesive
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.
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Step 8
Spray adhesive
Spray the inside of your new fabric with the adhesive.
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You can try brushing on diluted fabric or craft glue instead of using spray adhesive.
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Step 9
Place lampshade
Carefully place the lampshade onto the now-sticky fabric, lining up the seam with a short edge.
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Step 10
Apply cover
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.
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Step 11
Trim fabric
Trim away any bits of excess fabric that extend above or below the shade.
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If you cut your fabric generously, use fabric glue to tuck the edges and seam under.
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Step 12
Allow seam to overlap
Allow the seam to overlap itself by at least a quarter inch in case the fabric shrinks a little as it dries.
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Step 13
Trim edges
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.
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Step 14
Pin trim
Pin the trim in place as you go so it dries in a straight, neat line.
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Step 15
Return shade
When the adhesive and glue have dried, return your shade to your lamp, and let your light shine.
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In 1977, Debby Boone became the third generation of Boones to top the charts with "You Light Up My Life."
