Willow’s nursery is really coming together, but I desperately wanted a little table lamp to place on the end table beside my nursing chair.  I always need some place to sit a bottle of water, my phone, or anything really which is why I needed the end table, but it just looked bare without a table lamp.  Now since I have my squirrel and acorn theme going on in the room it was impossible to find a lamp that fit my décor without spending a TON of money which was just not gonna happen!  And so I made my own…. here is how I did it.

RE-COVERING A LAMP SHADE WITH FABRIC

Materials & Tools:
Lamp Base
Lamp Shade
Fabric
Ribbon
Large sheet of Paper
Spray Adhesive
Fabric Glue
Scissors
Pins
Paint Brush
Ironing Board
Iron
Pen

1.)  Iron the fabric so there are no unsightly creases.  And yes the only time I ever use an iron is for crafty projects, hehe.

2.)  Unroll your paper.  Locate the seam on the lamp shade.  Line that up with the edge of the paper.  Slowly roll the lamp shade across the paper while tracing on both sides until you reach the seam again.  Extend the lines roughly two inches and using a straight edge connect the lines.

3.)  Cut out the shape you have traced.  Place it on top of the fabric you have chosen.  Trace around the pattern onto the fabric.  Cut out the fabric about a half inch from the lines you have drawn.

4.)  Shake up the spray adhesive.  Spray it over the entire back of the fabric.  Locate the seam on the lamp shade and start applying the fabric there.  Smooth the fabric from the middle out to remove any wrinkles and continue around the entire lamp shade.  Once you reach the seam again fold the fabric under to create a finished edge.  Spray a little more adhesive on and smooth down to completely cover the shade.

5.)  Using the scissors slowly cut around the top and bottom edge of the lamp shade any fabric over hang so you have two smooth edges.

6.)  I found it easiest to apply the ribbon by painting the fabric glue onto the edge of the lamp shade in just a couple inch increments.  Press the ribbon on starting at the fabric seam and secure with pins…. I couldn’t find any regular sewing pins, so I improvised with tiny safety pins, hehe.

7.)  Once the ribbon has completely dried remove the pins.  Place on top of the lamp base and enjoy!  Pssst…. it took me forever to find the perfect lamp base.  I actually found it at a local thrift store for $2.99!

The great thing about this project is you can use any combination of fabric, ribbon, and lamp base to create your perfect table lamp.  So get crafting!