How to Make Cloth Covered Lamp Shades

Fabric-covered lamp shade

Create an interesting focal point of any room by covering a plain lamp shade with fabric. Whether it's made for your own home or to give as a gift, it will certainly make an appreciated addition. A little imagination and less than an hour of time will transform an ordinary lamp shade into an attractive one. Fabric themes can make the lamp shade appropriate for any recipient--a new baby, a young lady, a teenage boy, a gardener who loves flowers or a gentleman's study.

Things You'll Need

• Light-colored lamp shade (fabric or paper covered)
• Fabric (lightweight, small print or solid as desired - sufficient length amount to go around lampshade at widest diameter, 1 1/2 times and at least twice the height as the lampshade)
• White glue
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Pen or marker
• Double-fold binding tape

Instructions

1. Open and lay the fabric to cover the lamp shade flat on a work table, right side down. Smooth out any wrinkles with a ruler.

2. Lay the lamp shade to be covered at the bottom left edge of the fabric in a vertical position. Mark the top and bottom of the lamp shade with a pen or marker.

3. Slowly turn the lamp shade to the right, marking the top and bottom at about 1/2-inch points. The lamp shade will turn upward as it is turned. Continuing turning and marking the fabric until the lamp shade reaches the end of the fabric at the top.

4. Connect the 1/2-inch marks with the pen or marker along the top and bottom marks, creating two lines parallel to each other. With scissors, cut out the circular pattern created on the fabric to cover the lampshade. There may be an excess of fabric, but at least enough to cover the lampshade.

5. Apply a generous line of white glue about 6 inches at a time, around the top outside edge of the lamp shade. Press the top of the cut fabric on the white glue to fit along the top of the lamp shade. Continue until the entire top of the lamp shade has fabric attached. Let dry.

6. Apply a generous amount of white glue around the bottom outside edge of the lamp shade about 6 inches at a time. Press the bottom part of the fabric all around the lamp shade, smoothing any wrinkles in a downward stroke. Cut off any excess fabric with scissors along the top and bottom but leave 1/2-inch allowance and tuck in, applying white glue and press along the seam to secure. Let dry.

7. Create a neat finish along the top and bottom of the lamp shade by applying the color coordinated double-fold binding tape with white glue, starting at the fabric seam. Cut off any excess tape. Let dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose lightweight fabric for this project with colors that will enhance the room where it will be used. Fabric with a print should have small images. Fabric with stripes is also an alternative. Embellishments along the bottom of the lamp shade can be added if desired, such as tassels or beaded fringe.