Video How to Re-Cover a Lampshade

Watch more Home Decor & Lighting videos: http://www.howcast.com/videos/317-How-to-ReCover-a-Lampshade

Updating an old lampshade is a great way to brighten up a corner, freshen up a room, and lighten up your life.

Step 1: Remove lampshade
Remove the lampshade from the lamp.

Step 2: Place on side
Place the lampshade on its side on the large sheet of paper, lining up its seam with the left edge of the paper.

Tip
If your shade is much wider at the bottom than the top, place the shade near the bottom of the paper's edge.

Step 3: Trace edges
Trace the bottom and top edge of the shade with your pencil, slowly rolling the shade as you go, until you get back to the seam.

Step 4: Draw line
Extend the two lines by an inch and draw a straight line between them.

Step 5: Cut out shape
Cut out the shape you've drawn.

Tip
If you want to crease your fabric under for finished edges, cut about a half inch outside the lines.

Step 6: Cut out fabric
Pin this paper pattern to your new fabric, then carefully cut out the new lampshade cover from the fabric, tracing around the paper.

Step 7: Test adhesive
On a leftover scrap of fabric, test your spray adhesive to make sure it won't cause discoloration or show through on the other side.

Step 8: Spray adhesive
Spray the inside of your new fabric with the adhesive.

Tip
You can try brushing on diluted fabric or craft glue instead of using spray adhesive.

Step 9: Place lampshade
Carefully place the lampshade onto the now-sticky fabric, lining up the seam with a short edge.

Step 10: Apply cover
Slowly roll the shade over the fabric a little bit at a time, smoothing the fabric out toward the edges as you go, until your new cover is in place.

Step 11: Trim fabric
Trim away any bits of excess fabric that extend above or below the shade.

Tip
If you cut your fabric generously, use fabric glue to tuck the edges and seam under.

Step 12: Allow seam to overlap
Allow the seam to overlap itself by at least a quarter inch in case the fabric shrinks a little as it dries.

Step 13: Trim edges
Trim the bottom and top edge with a ribbon, cord, or fringe, using fabric glue or a hot glue gun to secure it a bit at a time.

Step 14: Pin trim
Pin the trim in place as you go so it dries in a straight, neat line.

Step 15: Return shade
When the adhesive and glue have dried, return your shade to your lamp, and let your light shine.

Did You Know?
In 1977, Debby Boone became the third generation of Boones to top the charts with "You Light Up My Life."