Friday, August 5, 2011

Lampshade Redux

I have had this little crystal lamp since forever and I have always loved it.  Sadly, after so many years the shade had gotten in such bad shape that I had no other choice but to replace it, either with a new shade or try to recover it; because I like the shape so much, I chose to recover it. You see it here stripped of the old fabric...really quite pathetic. And for those of you who have never done this before, this is how I did it...


First I made a pattern by wrapping a piece of tissue paper around the form of the shade. For the new cover I used a bit of silk fabric left over from the drapes I have been making for this room.



Now is where you can get creative, I chose to add a ruffle of contrasting fabric which
 I folded  and gathered to go around the base of the finished shade. I always make ruffles using the zig-zag stitch on my sewing matching, stitching over crochet thread...this makes it so easy to gather  the ruffles ~ no breaking of thread, you just pull the ends. Of course there are all kinds of purchased trims  that you could use.


I attached the fabric to the shade using a spray adhesive and then with  my handy glue gun I applied the ruffle and used a decorative gimp to cover the raw edges. And....voila! this is the result.



                                   What do you think...pretty, n'est pas. And really so easy to do!



This post has been linked to: http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/
Posted by quotidienns at

33 comments:

  1. Lou Cinda @ Tattered HydrangeasAugust 5, 2011 at 7:00 AM

    Fabulous!! Love it! I just covered some shades too! Not hard, but it was a wee bit tedious! lol

    Love yours!

    Lou Cinda

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  2. Katie, Julep and Derby's MomAugust 5, 2011 at 7:03 AM

    Very beautiful - you make it look so easy!

    Have a wonderful weekend, Katie from
    www.westiejulep.blogspot.com

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  3. Sue/the view from great islandAugust 5, 2011 at 7:12 AM

    Great tutorial. The lamp is so pretty, it's nice that you gave it a new life...it's amazing how boring most lampshades are.

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  4. evergreenAugust 5, 2011 at 7:24 AM

    Your lampshade turned out beautiful, and I imagine it has a warm glow when you turn it on!

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  5. HeatherAugust 5, 2011 at 7:25 AM

    The new lampshade is so pretty! Fantastic tutorial too. You make it look easy!

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  6. Pat@Back Porch MusingsAugust 5, 2011 at 7:35 AM

    Beautiful shade makeover Adrienne!

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  7. .August 5, 2011 at 7:46 AM

    It turned out fantastic!! The trim is beautiful. :)

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  8. It's Just DottieAugust 5, 2011 at 8:46 AM

    You can do almost everything!!!
    Smiles,
    Dottie

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  9. Marty@A Stroll Thru LifeAugust 5, 2011 at 9:00 AM

    You make it look so easy. I still have to give this a try. Love the new shade. Hugs, Marty

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  10. Musings from Kim K.August 5, 2011 at 9:19 AM

    Beautiful. You definitely made this tutorial look very easy. If I sewed, I might actually believe I could attempt it. My version would be all about the "glue". HUGS!

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  11. LindaAugust 5, 2011 at 9:41 AM

    Very pretty! The ruffle really adds warmth to it!

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  12. hostess of the humble bungalowAugust 5, 2011 at 10:14 AM

    I love the stout little crystal base...it must twinkle when illuminated.
    Your very clever to have figured out how to make a new shade, which BTW I prefer to the former one!

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  13. Adrienne ShubinAugust 5, 2011 at 10:25 AM

    So pretty! What a huge difference. You make it look so simple, and for you I am sure it was.
    Have a great weekend! xo, A

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  14. Christine E-EAugust 5, 2011 at 10:38 AM

    adorable! what room are you working on?

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  15. AnonymousAugust 5, 2011 at 11:16 AM

    Wow! How gorgeous your lamp shade turned out! I love the fabric and the trim just makes it! You did a fabulous job. I ruffle just like you do - it's the only way to gather in my opinion!;)
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  16. AnonymousAugust 5, 2011 at 1:36 PM

    What an adorable lampshade that you made! It's SO cute! I really like the colorful ruffle trim at the bottom. You did a GREAT job! I appreciate anyone who can do any kind of sewing craft, since I was not gifted with such a talent.

    By the way, thank you for visiting my blog the other day and leaving a comment. I hope you will come by more often. :)

    ~W.F. Cottage~

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  17. Gail DixonAugust 5, 2011 at 1:58 PM

    What a beautiful transformation!

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  18. My Little Home and GardenAugust 5, 2011 at 3:02 PM

    Hi, Adrienne. Your lampshade is very pretty. I have an old shade (or 2) kicking around the house, thinking that one day I'd try a project. You've inspired me! -Karen

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  19. Sunday TaylorAugust 5, 2011 at 4:07 PM

    That lampshade is so charming. What a good job you did. I now have some confidence that even I could do something like that. Thanks for showing us how!

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  20. TriciaAugust 5, 2011 at 7:26 PM

    Looks wonderful. You made it seem so easy :)

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  21. d e l i g h tAugust 5, 2011 at 8:48 PM

    You make it look so beautiful and easy! I've been wanting to try this on some lamp frames I have. Thanks for visiting my blog!
    Linda

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  22. HeatherAugust 5, 2011 at 9:56 PM

    Wow you did a fantastic job on that and I have done this before it can be a little tricky. I love the colors you used ~Looks great ~Love Heather

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  23. CatherineAugust 6, 2011 at 12:13 AM

    Thank you for the tutorial.It looks very pretty.

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  24. TINS ROSEAugust 6, 2011 at 5:08 AM

    You have done a very much good work with your shade, I have done a "make over" with a shade, too, and I will show in a later post what and how I did it.

    Kind regards, Tintin

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  25. Tammy@InStitchesAugust 6, 2011 at 7:28 AM

    I think it looks great, thanks for stopping by !

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  26. DonnaAugust 6, 2011 at 7:49 AM

    I love it! And you made it look so easy.

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  27. CindyAugust 6, 2011 at 12:01 PM

    Hi Adrienne,
    Your lampshade is really very lovely! I had not thought of zigzagging over crochet thread, I'm going to try that. I deal with breaking thread often, this would definitely be better.
    Hugs, Cindy

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  28. PondsideAugust 6, 2011 at 5:44 PM

    I love the new life you've given your lamp - such a pretty base deserved an equally pretty shade!

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  29. Carola BartzAugust 7, 2011 at 10:02 AM

    You amaze me all the time! This new lampshade is gorgeous - the ruffles give it just the right accent. Very beautifully done!

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  30. Mimi SueAugust 7, 2011 at 9:16 PM

    Mais oui! Beautiful! I have a few lampshades that could use a new look. Mimi

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  31. Liz @ the Brambleberry CottageAugust 9, 2011 at 11:58 AM

    Absolutely, n'est pas, Adrienne! The ruffled trim is a pretty touch. I'll have to try your tip with the crochet thread for making ruffles, too.

    Blessings,
    Liz @ the Brambleberry Cottage
    http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  32. Courtney ~ French Country CottageAugust 10, 2011 at 8:53 PM

    Super charming~ your shade turned out darling! Thanks for sharing at Feathered Nest Friday! :)

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  33. Flea Market LynnAugust 20, 2011 at 5:21 PM

    Really like the shade transformation........thx for the tutorial on how to do it. I'm always picking up lamps at thrift shops. FYI, I have that same turtle from The Bombay Shop. I.m also a new follower of your blog. Thx for stopping by my blog too!

    ReplyDelete

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