How to Make a Nautical Lamp Shade

Looking for a way to revamp a plain lampshade? Try this fun project, and bring a nautical theme to any room in your home. Using fabric patches and pieces of nautical craft rope, you can create a lamp shade that looks like it cost a fortune, although you will spend very little. This works on any color lamp shade, although contrasting colors works best. For example, use dark colored patches on light colored lamp shades, and light colored patches on dark colored lamp shades.

Things You'll Need

• Plain lamp shade
• Nautical craft rope
• Nautical themed fabric patches
• Fabric glue

Instructions

1. 

   Choose nautical themed patches. Use any type of nautical design such as ships, anchors, compasses, ships wheels or even seashells. Mix and match the patches, or use all one type of design. For example: alternate a ship and anchor around the lampshade or use all ship wheels. Fabric patches can be purchased at local fabric or craft stores.

2. 

   Measure around the bottom edge of the lamp shade; add 1 inch to this measurement. Cut a piece of nautical craft rope the length of the total measurement. The rope should be about 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch in diameter. Look for nautical craft rope at your local fabric or craft store.

3. Turn the lamp shade upside down on your work table. Glue the piece of rope around the outside bottom edge of the lamp shade; overlap the ends and glue in place. Let dry.

4. Set the lamp shade rightside up. Decide how you want to place the patches on the lamp shade; glue the patches in place. Let dry. Place the lamp shade on the lamp.