How to Recover a Drum Lamp Shade
We all like to save our pennies, but it's not easy to find inexpensive ways to give an old room a new look. Fortunately, the smallest change can have a big impact. Even something as simple as putting a new cover on a favorite lampshade can brighten up an entire room. This is an easy project, with no sewing involved, but you do need to be careful about taking your time and lining things up properly. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Craft or butcher paper
- Pencil
- Straight edge
- Scissors
- Fabric
- Spray adhesive
- Iron
- Fabric glue or hot glue gun
- Decorative trim (optional)
Instructions
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How to Recover a Drum Lamp Shade
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1
Use your old lampshade to make a pattern. Lay it on its side on the paper, with the back seam lined up with the paper's side edge. Slowly roll the shade along the paper, tracing the top line with a pencil as you go. If the lamp is not a perfect drum--it doesn't have the exact same width at top and bottom--this line will be curved. Stop when the bottom seam is resting on the paper.
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2
Start again with the back seam at the paper's edge, and the top of the shade lined up at the top line you drew. Slowly roll the shade again, guiding it along the top line as you trace the bottom.
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3
Connect the two lines with the straight edge.
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4
Cut out the paper pattern.
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5
Spray the pattern with spray adhesive and attach it to the reverse side of your fabric.
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6
Trace around the edges of the paper pattern with the pencil.
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7
Cut the fabric around the pattern, leaving an 1/8 inch more fabric on the top and bottom, and 1/4 inch seam allowance on one side, and then remove the paper pattern. Let the adhesive dry completely. Use the pencil lines as a guide to fold down the 1/8 inch allowance at the top and bottom edges. Repeat with the 1/4 inch seam allowance.
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8
Spray the reverse side of the fabric with the adhesive.
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9
Check the fit of the fabric against the lampshade to make sure you didn't fold the top and bottom edges down too much. If you did, use the iron to adjust the folds.
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10
Attach the un-ironed edge of your fabric to the seam of the lampshade, and then carefully cover the rest of the shade. Work slowly, making sure the top and bottom edges are lined up correctly. Smooth out any air bubbles or wrinkles as you go.
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11
Secure the ironed end of the fabric at the seam with a thin line of hot glue, or fabric glue.
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Tips & Warnings
For a little more dash, use a hot glue gun to add beads, maribou, ribbon, decorative braid, seashells or whatever your design calls for. Sketch and color your design before you begin.
Hot glue can burn your skin, so be very careful even if you have used it before.
