Meghan sent me this lampshade along with 6 different fabrics in shades of red, gold and black and asked it I’d recover it for her. Well, technically she asked before she shipped it.
As you can see, the before shade is very cute but Meghan wanted to spice things up a bit.
Warning: Lots of how-to pics ahead!
I began by taking a look at how the shade was constructed and decided to follow the same lines with the exception of the vertical bias tape trim.
I carefully cut the black & white check fabric away from the shade with a seam ripper in order to keep the lining intact.
Old shade cover removed and metal shade form exposed with lining still in place.
I laid out each fabric to determine in which order I’d place them around the shade. I drew out a pattern an roughly cut out each “panel” for the new shade.
I pinned and trimmed them in place.
And then sewed them together creating my slipcover.
At this point I tried the slipcover on the form and took additional seams in order to “fit” the new cover snugly to the shade then trimmed the seam allowances to about 1/4″ to 3/8″.
Important Step: When recovering a shade you always want to try out the fabrics over your light source. Especially when working with several different fabrics.
As you can see, these 6 fabrics look completely different when lit from beneath.
The solution to this dilemma is blackout lining. Even though it blocks the light coming through the fabrics it’s a much cleaner and neater look for the slipcover.
Using the same technique to fit the fabrics to the shade, I made a blackout lining to give the 6 different fabrics the same appearance when the lamp is lit.
Option: You can also line each of the fabric panels with a piece of blackout lining before sewing them together instead of creating an entirely separate lining. I chose not to do this because I hate working with blackout lining and thought this option might be easier.
I placed the two layers – the blackout lining and new slipcover – together on the shade.
I pinned them in place occasionally using left over glittery wedding clothespins to hold things in place.
Keeping the layers pinned together and marked…
I sewed the layers together and trimmed the edges to the length of the shade plus 1″ – (1/2″ for both upper and lower edges) for seam allowances.
*I cut mine about 1-1/4″ longer to allow the trim to be about 1/8″ longer than the shade.
See below.
Using the black and white check fabric I cut 2″ strips on the bias to create my own trim.
I sewed the 2″ bias strips to the lower edge of the slipcover – Right side of bias strip to wrong side of slipcover using a 1/2″ seam allowance.
WHY DO IT THIS WAY?
Here is a photo of the bias tape from the original shade pinned in place as an example. If I had only glued a trim to the shade the raw edges of the new pieced cover as well as the blackout lining would possibly have been visible.
By sewing my bias tape in place, folding and wrapping it around to the front of the slipcover I was able to hide the raw edges.
Here you can see the lower edge of the slipcover has the bias tape sewn on, folded and pinned in place waiting for top stitching. I’m repeating the same procedure for the upper edge of the slipcover.
In this photo you can see where the bias trim was sewn in place on the back side of the slipcover. I folded the trim once to meet the raw edge and then folded it again to cover the raw edge. (If cut and sewn correctly a 2″ strip of bias cut fabric will create a 1/2″ folded bias tape trim. I’m positive I had to trim away excess here and there. It’s never as precise as you expect it to be.)
Waiting for top stitching.
I top stitched each band of bias trim along the upper and lower edge of the slipcover.
My finished Lamp Shade Slipcover ready to be secured in place.
At this point I fitted the slipcover to the shade making sure the seams lined up with the metal shade form and secured it in place with clothespins.
I used hot glue to secure the slipcover to the shade. You can also use fabric glue. The clothespins kept the slipcover secure while the glue dried.
I secured the slipcover where the trim was below the shade approximately 1/8″ *as mentioned above.
Now we have a brand new, multi-fabric, lamp shade slipcover ready for it’s new home.
I can honestly say not all of my lampshade re-dos have turned out this well. This one took a few additional steps but well worth it.
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❤Love it !!! Such a beautiful job!!! Looks like it was purchased this way 😉 , and much better !!!! It fits so snug and perfect.. Love the different panels used ! I am pretty certain mine would have accidental gathers and pleated look !! Oh and glue all over the fabrics !!!! I can’t wait to see. more projects and tutorials !! Thank you for sharing your tips, and how to dos . Your awesome. Sonya !! Hope you have a great week !
Sherry
Awww! Thank you, Sherry! You are very, very welcome! I’ve seen your creations and don’t think you’d have a bit of trouble make this lampshade! 🙂
Way too complicated for me but the shade is really a work of art and gives such a new and different look. I remember that my mother made a new shade cover for a lamp that I inherited….the shade was unusual shape and I could not find one in a store. She said it was the hardest thing she ever did and it took her several days to complete. It had to be a labor of love!
LOL! I know what you mean! There have been a few shades that I realized I never should have tackled after I was half way into it. Way too much trouble! 🙂
I love it! You always have such a professional, finished look on everything. I would never have the patience for this ~ 🙂 Thanks for sharing…always love to see your latest creation!
xo
Pat
Awww! Thank you, Pat!
It looks amazing, love the combination of fabrics. You have far more patience than I! 🙂
Thank you, Sheila!
Um, can I have one of those? Seriously…I really mean it. I want one in my kitchen. Not kidding.
I need to send you fabric pieces that I have there that obviously will never be used by my hands. They would be perfect for little projects like that.
Of, course! Anytime!!! I’d be happy to make one for you. Just email me with the details.
I always like details so you don’t have to worry about that! I love the shade and the different patters/textures. Wouldn’t have thought of it but I really do love it. Then of course you always do such beautiful work.
Thank you, Cathy! So glad you like the combination of fabrics!
Ooh la la, Sonya! So country French…….
Hope you are doing well!
Deborah
Merci, Deborah! 🙂
You are SO talented! after just sewing my first basic valance, this just FLOORS me! I have decided to just hire you from now on.