French Script Lampshade Revamp

August 20, 2011

After
I finally took the plunge and revamped a Club G.W. lampshade.  It ended up being a bit of a project, but definitely worth it, so I thought I'd share it with you.


Materials
basic lampshade (I used drum shaped)
fabric of your choice
spray adhesive
fabric glue
large sheet of craft paper 
sharp scissors
pins
optional: glue gun

BEFORE:




Okay, so we start off with my $4.00 Club G.W. drum lampshade.  You expected anything less?  {In case you're not familiar with "Club G.W." it stands for Club Goodwill.}  I bought it with the express intent to revamp it, but once I got it home I didn't think it was that bad.....the green was a bit eeccch, but the paisley pattern, well, I liked it.  But the show must go on, so I picked up some French script fabric at JoAnn's for 50% off ~ score!  I used Waverly's "Pen Pal", 100% cotton. 


Once you've got the lampshade and the fabric you'll need to test the two together.   By that I mean you need to place the new fabric over the shade and turn on the lamp.  Can you see the light?  Is it dark or bright?  (No one seems to mention this on their tutorials.)  Mine was dark! Uh-oh.  Sooooo....I proceeded to X-acto knife that silk lining right outta there, hoping it would make the light shine through a bit brighter.  It did.  Of course I saved the lining for something else!



To trace the shade onto the paper you roll the shade across the paper while tracing it, at both the top and bottom edges, with a pencil.  I allowed the paper to actually roll along with the shade, and stopped when the shade was completely covered by the paper.  Then I marked that point on the paper as the finish point.





Now you flatten out the paper, extend both the top and bottom lines by one and a half inches each and draw a straight line between them.  Cut out your pattern and pin it to the fabric. 


When cutting the fabric, make sure to overcut the pattern by one inch all the way around so that you'll be able to create creased, finished edges on both the top and bottom of the shade.



I then used the spray adhesive a bit at a time, meaning I only sprayed a bit of the inside of the fabric at a time.  Then I carefully placed the fabric against the shade and rolled it along, spraying as I went.  
Once the shade is fully covered, fold over the final edge of the overlapping fabric to give it a finished look and then glue it down with a glue gun.  Try to make sure it overlaps a bit so that if the fabric shrinks after it dries you'll still have the shade fully covered.  Also, you'll need to fold over and glue down the excess fabric on both the top and bottom edges.  

To recap.

BEFORE:

AFTER:


For my first lampshade re-do I'm pretty happy with it. 

  I know you'll find your very own thrift store lamp shade to revamp (if it isn't already in your garage lol).  And when you do, be sure to link it up with Tuesday's Club G.W. with Charm Bracelet Diva.  I'd LOVE to see it!

xoxo

P.S. Be sure to enter my giveaway here!

I'll be linking up here:

The French Cupboard
Common Ground

Leave a Comment!

Comeca Jones said...

I love this idea savin it for a later project.

Betsy@My Salvaged Treasures said...

Fabulous job Kathleen. I love that fabric, I'd be covering everything in sight with it. Thanks for the great tutorial.

Debra@CommonGround said...

Hi Kathleen, this turned out fabulous, thanks so much for the tutorial, love that fabric. thanks for linking up to VIF!!xo Debra

Alison @ The Polohouse said...

Kathy!
This turned out GREAT!
Loving it!
xx
A

At Home in English Valley said...

HI Kathy, I've got to find me some of that fabric! Just a little bit of curve on something makes it tricky, but you did great.
It is perfect in front of that great clock! Love, Penny

Cathy @My 1929 Charmer said...

Love the look, thinking of doing the same to one of my lampshades. That's for the creative inspiration.

Anita at Cedar Hill said...

Very pretty lampsahade and I am a new follower. I love the new look.

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