How to Re-decorate an Old Lampshade

Why toss away a lampshade with a sturdy frame just because the design of the shade is plain and boring? Re-decorate your lampshade and enliven your room with this DO-It-Yourself project. It’s easy.

Make your own pattern. Place a craft paper on the table then place the lampshade on the side of the paper, with the ridge adjoining against the paper. With the ridge as your beginning and end point, use a marker or a pencil to outline the length of the base of the shade by cautiously rolling it across the craft paper once. Repeat this process for the shade’s top, carefully aligning the base with the traced line. Cut out the shape. This will be your pattern.
Cut the fabric. Place your chosen fabric material with the best side facing downwards. Carefully lay your pattern on the “bad side” of the material an pin it with weak glue or adhesive. Slowly cut the fabric following the pattern. However, leave at least half an inch on all sides. Then, remove the pattern.
Polish the edges. Hem the extra fabric on every side and pin them in place. Finally, the base and top hems should be pushed under the ridges of the shade, so be very sure that the height of your cover is greater than that of the shade. You should iron the folds for clean rims. Finish it using a sewing machine or a fabric adhesive.
Attach the fabric to the shade. Lay out the fabric wherein the hems should face you then place the shade on the fabric. Add some parts of the shade with glue and carefully attach the fabric. Flat the fabric and even it before adding glue to the next part of the shade. Repeat this process and continue to even and flat the fabric to avoid bubbles and uneven surfaces.
Fasten the edges. You can use an adhesive to join the two ends of the fabric on the frame. To fasten the top and base ridges of your new lampshade cover, smear fabric adhesive top the insides of the hems and place them under the shade. Apply pressure to the ridges and use clips or clothespin to hold them dry.
Add decoration to your work. When the glue has dried out, remove the clothespins and add your own choice of decorations such as colorful patterns to your new lampshade cover. Just be sure that it will not obstruct the lampshade from providing light to your room.