How do you cover a lampshade?

Beverly
by Beverly

What material should be used? Lampshade is Hugh and has rolls doing down it

  4 answers
  • Unexpected Elegance Unexpected Elegance on Nov 29, 2018

    You can add some ribbon with hot glue or even spray paint it.

  • Carlie Warren Carlie Warren on Nov 29, 2018

    a scarf works well. u can just lay in over the shade. the fringe looks cool too

  • Not sure what "rolls going down" are, a photo would help significantly. See if this is helpful.


    https://www.hgtv.com/design/rooms/bedrooms/custom-fabric-covered-lampshade

  • Sojournstar Media Sojournstar Media on Nov 29, 2018

    yes, a pic would be helpful, as I dont understand rolls going down either..


    I used to actually cover, and recover lampshades from scratch, for sale in my boutique years ago.... It is not hard at all, just time consuming.


    The best fabrics are anything you like actually, I have used chinese silk (embroidered or not) with great success, as well as certain weights of silks (need to be lined of course), cottons work great.

    I wish I could give you a lesson in this, but difficult here, lol, but basically all you do on a lampshade with ribs, (4 or more) is trace a pattern out of one of the ribs leaving about 3/4 inch excess which will be what you turn under each rib. Cut out a piece for each rib, and also another set of pieces for the lining fabric of your choice. If it is easier, take the lining and fabric pieces, and sew with basic long stitch to help keep them together, and then use tacky glue on each rib section, let get tacky, then place each section on a rib, and pull tight while pushing the edges under the rib on the inside (the last section will end up overlapping on the first, turn the end under slightly for a clean edge) trim and clean any excess. You are now ready to trim the outer portion. I use anything from fringes to lace embellishments, or anything you like really.

    Hope at least some of this made sense.....

    • Sojournstar Media Sojournstar Media on Nov 29, 2018

      an after thought... you can do this same thing with almost any shade.... if it is a barrel shaped shade for instance, the ones with one continious piece all the way around, just measure one large piece the same way, the seam will end up being made the same way as above. Shades like that usually have at least to wire supports running from top to bottom rim, and are usually more delicate when the fabric is removed than the one described in the previous post, tho never as attractive in the end as sectioned ribbed shades. They have such an elegant vintage flavor which is what I like best in a lamp personally.