How to Re-Cover a Lampshade

If you want to update a lamp or just match it to your specific décor, it is very easy to quickly recover a lampshade with fabric. Doing this requires no sewing at all and as long as your lamp base is in good condition, you can have your lamp looking brand new in under 30 minutes. With the following steps and a few materials, your lamp will be a one-of-a-kind masterpiece!

Materials Needed:

Fabric
Trim (ribbon works well for this purpose)
Fabric Glue
Scissors
Pencil
Brown Paper
Chalk

To make a pattern to recover your lamp shade, simply lay a large piece of brown paper on a flat surface like your kitchen table. Set the lampshade down on the paper on its side with the seam side facing down. Next, roll the lamp shade along the paper as you draw a line that follows the top edge. Keep the point of your pencil on the paper as you roll the lamp shade to make a continuous line which starts from the seam and continues full circle. You will find that the lamp shade will easily curve on its own as it is rolled.

The next step is to set the lamp shade back at your original starting point, remembering to again place the seam down. You will roll the shade along the brown paper again, however, this time you will trace your pencil along the bottom edge of the shade. When you have finished making the top and the bottom lines, use a ruler to draw a straight connecting line to the ending points from the top line to the bottom line.

Cut out your paper pattern and place it on your fabric (on the wrong side/inside). Trace your pattern with your chalk. You can then cut out the pattern, being sure to add about 1/4 inch around the edges for a seam allowance. Remove the lampshade pattern from your fabric. It is important to let the adhesive dry on the fabric, then turn over the seam allowance on one side only and iron. Don’t worry about the raw edges of the top and bottom as they will be covered with trim or ribbon.

Spray the inside of your fabric with regular spray adhesive and then you can attach it to the old lampshade you are covering. Be careful as you line up the raw edge of the fabric with the seam on the shade to attach it. Work all the way around, smoothing out wrinkles as you go. A credit card works well as a smoothing tool. The adhesive will be tacky for a few minutes, to allow time for adjustments. You will finish by overlapping the raw edge with the ironed edge to give it a finished look.

Measure both the top and bottom edges of the lampshade and then add 1/2 inch to your measurements. Cut your trim piece or ribbon and attach with a hot glue gun to secure it in place. Remember to turn under the ends for a finished look and to avoid fraying in the future.

For inexpensive lighting and lamps, check out the selection at AMC Liquidators. There are many lamps and lampshades to choose from!