If you have a lamp base you can’t stand to part with but aren’t too keen about the shade, don’t pitch it, recover it! Refreshing a dated lampshade with new fabric and trim is an easy project as well as a great way to add a custom touch to your home. Here’s what you need to in order to get this fun DIY project done.
Supplies needed: Before you begin, gather together fabric, trim, scissors, paper (news, craft, butcher or brown wrapping), plastic clamps (or clothespins), and fabric glue. The design of your shade might not require all the supplies listed, but having them on hand will make your job much easier.
1. Select a fabric (and trim) you love. Take a good look around your home to determine what patterns and colors would complement your decor. Once you have an idea of what you want, start shopping around until you find the right fit. Whether or not you add trim will depend on the shape of the lamp as well as your personal style.
2. Create a template. To get your shade just right, you’ll need to create a template. To do that you need to:
- Lay a large sheet of paper on a table or the floor.
- Place the shade on its side, with the seam touching one end of the paper. You want to make sure there’s enough paper for the shade to make one full transition across it.
- Slowly roll the shade (starting at the seam), tracing its path along the top and bottom as you go. Note: A drum shade will give you a rectangle, and a tapering shade will give you a curved shape on your paper.
- Draw an additional inch around the pattern before you cut the template out. This extra paper will be for covering the top and bottom of the shade.
3. Cut out your fabric. Lay your piece of fabric face up and then place the template on top of it. Shift it around until you’re satisfied with the position and then pin it in place. Using the template as your guide, cut the fabric. To ensure a proper fit, test the fabric on the shade to see if any additional trimming needs to be done.
4. Attach the fabric. Apply the craft glue or spray adhesive to the wrong side of the fabric and adhere it to the shade. Tuck excess fabric over the edges, clamping it in place. Allow a 24 hour drying period before putting the shade back on the base. To ensure the glue doesn’t discolor or leave spots on your fabric, do a test run on a scrap piece.
Itching to start a lampshade project? Visit our showroom or check out our fabric and trim online.
If you are looking for designer fabrics near Sugar Land, we have just what you need! Come by our location in Houston where you ill find a wide selection of fresh and colorful outdoor fabric.
