Make New From Old: Lampshade

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  Step 1

  If the lamp has a fabric shade carefully remove it from the frame and transfer it to paper.Don’t worry to much about being exact, you will make adjustments as you go.

  If you are going to use an all-over print fabric you do not need to do the next step.

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  Step 2

  Transfer paper pattern to a medium weight clear acetate, found at your local art supply store. This step is not necessary, but it will make choosing your design much easier if using a one-of-a-kind embroidery or print. Remember, you have a seam allowance (1/4” or 1/2”) so be sure to allow for it when choosing your placement. Carefully cut out your top fabric and stitch side seams closed using a small stitch.

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  Step 3

  Place top fabric over frame adjusting as you go, if cover is too large, just slip it off and make corrections. Using paper clips found around the house, or you can purchase some at any office supply store, secure fabric to frame leaving enough to wrap around the top and bottom of the frame.
  Securely hand stitch fabric in place, making sure your top layer is taught and that you have no loose areas. Use a wrap around stitch and a double thread or (upholstery thread) securely stitch top and bottom, trim away any excess fabric and loose threads.

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  Step 4

  Instead of glueing down self binding over the vertical bars of the frame, you can use a cross stitch using embroidery thread to hold top layer in place.

  On this project I used a white thread to keep in the theme of the vintage cross-stitch hen pattern. You may notice, if you look close, I placed the sewing seam over one of the vertical bars so that I could cover it with the top cross-stitch, hence camouflaging the sewing seam.
  It is the little details that will take your projects to the next level of craftsmanship. So be aware of your fabric and play around with your choices, you could use a contrasting thread if you like....so let your creativity blossom

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  Step 5

  Next, repeat the same procedure to attach your choice of lining. Again, be creative about your choices. I first used a red dot cotton lining but, after seeing it I decided a yellow lining would be much more fun. So don’t be afraid of changing you mind.

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  Step 6

  Trim the lining edges so you can begin the fun, creative part, applying the trims. Remember you do not have to match the top and bottom trims.

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  Step 7

  I used a bias cut red ticking and a muslin trim for the top and a bias cut plain muslin wider than the red ticking in addition to a green velvet embroidered trim for the bottom rim. I used thread to attach all the trim. To cover the top joining bars I wrapped a small piece of bias ticking to cover the slit in the lining so that the lining lays flat....When taking apart the original lampshade pay attention to how things are put together and use your imagination to complete the same task.

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  Step 8

  A word about safety:
  when decorating a lampshade know that it will be used for decorative purposes only. Make sure you have a clearance of at least 3” around the light bulb from the lining and please do not use a bulb over 40 watts. Also, do not have any loose threads or fabrics on your shade as it could cause a fire. If you are not sure please consult a local electrician.

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