how to recover a silk lampshade

2021/05/21

Note: If your shade has a steep slope to it, itll take a pretty wide piece of fabric to cover your shade. You can wrap the ribbon around the entire shade in a crisscross, vertical, or horizontal design. Attach ribbon to only the rims of the shade to add a little color or cover the entire shade with a single color ribbon or use multiple colors for an added effect. Empty Detergent and Bleach Bottles Cluttering Your House? Then spray paint the exterior of the shade matte or glossy black for an elegant result. Hold the fabric to the frame tightly with bulldog clamps. Peel the back fabric off an iron-on fabric adhesive sheet. She has more than two years of writing experience covering DIY home projects. Temporary wall decals or peel-and-stick wallpaper works, too. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. (Reader submitted photo). Slide the liner into the frame. Restoration of front-door hardware usually involves stripping old lacquer, polishing the brass and applying new lacquer. Wrap it around a shade and hot glue it in place. I can find a lot of lamps at thrift stores for the hardware, but the shades usually leave a lot to be desired. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Many lampshades are conical with fabric on both top and the lining. And when I came across this piece of vintage bark cloth, I knew I had my winner. Don't forget the spray adhesive. Flatten the edges of the seams and areas where the fabric wraps over the frame once the decor fabric is shirred or pleated. It's sometimes hard to find uses for leftover wallpaper. For example, a plain white shade with aqua-tinted wallpaper on the inside fits into a beach-themed room. Caned accents have made a comeback in recent years, and it's easy to see why! Where can I get this done? Much easier. Upcycle Them! With patience and skill, you can create a DIY floral masterpiece. Sisson gave a ballpark of $75 to $90. Clean the shade thoroughly with a soft brush and vacuum cleaner. It just needed the right lampshade to bring it back to life. Use Washi paper "petals" on lampshades by layering them in clusters from top to bottom in varied designs. Set the tape aside for reuse. A lampshade It helps to have an extra set of hands for this step. Usually, manufacturers glue the tape about 2 inches long and about 1/2 inch wider at the top framing cross members. Flip the decor fabric face sides together and stitch the seams together. Jami Delia is a DIY expert who specializes in upcycling, reclaiming, and refurbishing furniture.

Then, flip it over, and glue down the other end. Your email address will not be published. Intrepid cross-stitchers are known to transfer a pattern right onto a paper shade and embroider directly onto the surface. Hot glue comes to the rescue once again to place a beaded design. to transform a plain or dingy lampshade. Actually, one place to go is probably the company you already tried, Metro Plating & Polishing on Howard Avenue in Kensington (301-493-4009; www.metroplating.com). Apply a layer of glue to the top of the wrapped frame and bend the fabric to its original position. Its a unique design (not a standard knocker/handle/etc. We collect your name, email and IP address, when you post a comment for the purpose of responding to comments and preventing spam. You can also make a stencil out of vinyl or a thick piece of plastic. So they doubt it needs replating. Iron this fabric to retain its original shape as soon as possible. Reuse an abundance of leftover ribbon from other craft projects and gift bags to quickly and simply add color to your lampshade. This technique looks especially lovely when used on a drum or bell lampshade. Wrap the fabric around your lampshade, taking care to keep the fabric tight, and clip it in place.

Chevy Chase Plating usually has a one-week turnaround but offers same-day service, usually on Wednesdays, for an 18 percent extra charge. Have a problem in your home? New lampshades cost too much, and all the second-hand shades I came across were dated and dingy and just plain not my style. Replace the old trims with new or glue the trims back into place. Owner Steve Polsky responded promptly to an e-mail sent through the contact form on the Web site and said he would be back at work Aug. 19. Chevy Chase Plating & Polishing in Rockville (301-230-7686; www.chevychaseplating.com) also does this type of work. It's simple to transform the sweater. When hardware or other metal parts need replating, both shops offer that service, too. Drum shades require a lot less fabric. Your email address will not be published. A reader submitted photo of a lampshade with torn liner. Next time Im going to try this with one of those shades and an old white satin tablecloth which is torn in several places, but still has sufficient material to re-do several shades. Make decor fabric face side down. Required fields are marked *, I agree. Can I recover and glue over that? Unscrew the finial and remove the lampshade. View our Privacy Policy. Now, cut the lining fabric and make sure it can match the edges of the decor fabric. Place the decor fabric face down, and then place the sticky side of the sheet over it. Here are 15 ideas that can turn a lampshade into a work of art. Doing my own lamp shade will save me a lot of money! And thats all there is to it. Glue the fabric down on one end of the shade, and allow it to dry. With my lampshade secured, I headed to my fabric stash to shop for fabric. If you don't want to cover an entire shade with knit fabric, grab pompoms from old hats and other knitwear and glue them on separately or make a garland for a burst of added softness and color for a bedroom lamp. See how much roping you have and create a border design on the top and bottom rims or just the bottom rim. If you're feeling creative, arrange and attach your buttons in a particular design, such as stripes, chevron, or even in an ombre effect. Useful tip: Please stretch the inner liner to leave an air pocket between the inner and outer shade that will diffuse the light and soften its look. Pretty spiffy. But then it hit me: I could cover a lampshade with new fabric to make it my style. Then, fold the extra fabric in at the top and bottom of your shade to create a neat edge. Cover it with fabric. Place the lining fabric face side up. Hold the fabric in place with bulldog before the glue dries. QI have a lampshade that I really like, but the lining is ripped. Then, finish the seam of your lampshade by folding in the end of the fabric, and gluing it down. Put the seam side toward the back of the decor fabric. If you're on a tight budget, rummage through your craft supplies to find scrap pieces of fabric you can use to decorate your lampshade. All rights reserved. Unlike the person who wrote in to simply polish up her door hardware, I have hardware that is definitely tarnished and needs to be refinished, something I cannot do. Now, remove this tape, and set it aside. I am over the age of 16, and consent to receiving newsletters at the email address I provided.

You don't need to cover the entire shade. Get daily tips and tricks for making your best home. Hang teardrop crystals or fringe on the bottom rim of a tired old shade for a glamorous touch.

You might want to e-mail a picture to get more precise estimates. Fabric Bonus. Matching the lining and trims gives you the best visibility of the current color of the shade. Remove the fabric from the shade in case you want to save your existing decor fabric. and itll even have a clean, professional edge. Don't be afraid to experiment. *. Make a straight cut under the arms, then put the hem of the sweater on the top of the shade and glue it down for a finished look. You need to replace the outer fabric if it is fragile and has holes. But because you say your hardware is unusual, the price may be different. For a dramatic change, spray paint the interior of the shade either gold or silver. Another way to use embroidery on a lampshade is by first enhancing a piece of cut-to-fit fabric with needlework, then gluing the finished piece onto the shade. Create a colorful collage of florals or scenery using decoupage, one of the easiest methods you can use to update the dingy, dreary surface of a drum lampshade, for example. Do the same for the bottom edge. Place scrap cotton fabric over the sheet. If you use LED or CFL bulbs, they won't get nearly as hot as the older incandescent bulbs and they won't melt materials you add to your lampshade. Do the same for the bottom edge. Line your fabric up with the seam of your lampshade, and clip it in place with clothespins. Be the first to know about our best deals! In fact, once I changed my search criteria, I immediately found this lampshade in my mother-in-laws garage, which means it was not only the right shape and size, but also free. Pick out a piece of wallpaper that matches a room's decor, and attach it to the lampshade with a spray adhesive or craft glue. Spray paint can work well on knife-pleated paper or fabric shades (use a foam brush to touch up any bare spots). Make sure the new liner pieces face sides, and sew the seams, and trim the seams short to 1/8 inch. Iron the sheet until it adheres to the back of the decor fabric. Or, if you have smaller crystals, hang them from either the top edge so each one lays flat against the shade or dangle them from the bottom rim so they move ever so slightly in a breeze while catching the light of the bulb.

Upcycled Vinyl Record Into Beautiful Lampshade, How to Make Mini Lamp Shade With Vellum Paper. Carefully lift the lining again since it is probably glued on. Each piece requires cutting around the old liner. So, I bought the lamp, and started looking for a lampshade, but I just wasnt having any luck. If you love to embroider, use a lampshade as your canvas. Lift and peel the lining fabric to overlap the front decorative fabric. Cover the outside but don't forget about the possibilities of the inside of your shade. You may even be able to tear off the pleated fabric, so youre starting with a smooth surface.

Or purchase a subscription for unlimited access to real news you can count on. Whether it's foil or washi tape, you can rescue any old lampshade with color and design. Open the seam on the decor fabric. This was it. You'll need it to attach the fabric to the shade. Add a striped, chevron, or checkered design on a plain shade of any size to match the decor of your room. Wrap the rest of the sweater under the bottom rim and glue that down, trimming excess fabric so it's neat on the underside of the shade. New soft linings are always white to maximize reflectivity and minimize color conflicts with the exterior shade material. Use an excess of spare buttons to decorate a lampshade. Are you looking to decorate a lampshade to better match a room's decor? Place the new liner material under the old and secure the fabric together.

Glue the decor fabric at the top edge of the frame to fit the top of liner. I just read your July 25 column on restoring the finish on a brass door lock. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Take a tour of my frugal home, and find tips to put to work in your frugal home. If you have tons of tiny beads, lightly draw out a sinuous mosaic-like design with pencil and fill it in with beads. Slide the liner out of the frame from the bottom. Check the front fabric of the shade. Metro Plating tries to give immediate attention to door hardware, Polsky said. Do you have a beautiful sweater that you can't bear to part with but can't wear, either (maybe it shrunk by accident)? Find free artwork online to create a collage. You've Probably Never Cleaned Your LampshadesHere's How to Do It Right. Conversely, if the liner fabric is torn, you need to replace the liner fabric without damaging the outer fabric. For example, if you have a flat fabric drum shade, decoupage thin rice paper or even colorful napkins onto the surface. Use scrap cotton fabric to cover the lining fabric. Clothespins Create a glitzy lampshade with gold or silver leaf. If you enter anything into this text box, your message will not be sent. I tried a place in Kensington on Howard Avenue, but they never answered their phone. Craft Glue. Love this idea! Allow the glue to dry. Remove the decorative tape that is glued or sewn on the top and bottom edges of the shade. Fold the edge of the fabric in to create a clean edge. Cut out shapes you'd like and use decoupage medium to glue it in place. You may even have some old earrings, pins, or other costume jewelry no longer worn that can add unexpected visual and textural interest to the design. Install the fabric on the frame and align it with one of the frames. Join us over on the forum to discuss money-saving ideas and participate in monthly challenges. Dab on your choice of paint with a stencil brush or small foam pad. Put How To in the subject line, tell us where you live and try to include a photo. July 25 column on restoring the finish on a brass door lock. ), and replacing it with a standard lockset will not work. We do not use this data for any other purpose. ATry the Lamplighter in Alexandria (703-549-4040; www.lamplighterlamps.com) or Lamps Unlimited in McLean (703-827-0090; www.lampsunlimited-mclean.com). Remember to let the adhesive or glue completely dry before putting the shade back on the lamp to prevent messes. Remove and attach a stable new fabric carefully if you want to keep the fabric when the shade is fragile with small areas of damage. Glue the fabric down at the seam with craft glue, and allow it to dry. To coordinate with a room's decor, pick out and attach buttons of similar colors and shades. Pick up a stencil at your local craft store in your favorite design, such as damask, lattice, or honeycomb. Glad you found my tip useful. Pick out a yard of fabric in your choice of color and/or design at a local craft store. Hope your lampshades turn out well . Or, use gold or silver spray paint. Do you know of any companies that will refinish the hardware that are located in Montgomery County? Make sure the finished side of the seams face the light bulb. Place the short pieces of tape under a framing cross member. I mean, take a look at this vintage lamp that I found at a thrift store a few months ago. Scissors Polsky and Richard Sisson at Chevy Chase Plating both said front-door hardware is typically solid brass. The shops hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ) or vacation schedules might explain why youve had trouble getting through. Margie Woolaver, co-owner of Lamps Unlimited in McLean, said prices there range from $40 to $50 unless the exterior fabric also needs to be replaced, in which case the bill could be $60 to $100 or more, depending on size and fabric. View our disclosure. The color and shape are completely up to you! Rather than try to find a new one that matches, I would like to get a new lining for the one I have. If a new shade doesnt fit the lamp properly, there are ways to alter the lamp. Once youre happy with your coverage, cut off the excess fabric, leaving an inch of extra all the way around. The Checklist Read Jeanne Hubers roundup of home-improvement tasks you should tackle in August, such as replacing air conditioner filters, at washingtonpost.com/home. One of those two options should work. I was immediately drawn to the color and the raised bamboo pattern. Open the two seams of the lining fabric. How to Remove 7 Types of Glue Stains From Clothes, 7 Creative Ways to Hide Stains on Your Favorite Clothes, How to Create a Beautiful Custom Lampshade With Wallpaper or Fabric, How to Refurbish Particleboard Furniture With Paint, Create Unique Clothing Designs With Chlorine Bleach, Simple Step-By-Step Instructions to Make DIY Bookends, 42 Pretty Powder Room Ideas That Will Definitely Impress Visitors, How to Refurbish and Personalize Old Canisters. Attach larger, chunky, or elongated beads around the rim. Please ignore this text box. Some customers ultimately decide to buy a new shade, either because they find a good match thats less expensive or because they decide it will update the look of the lamp. Wow, thanks! The backing was peeled off the adhesive sheet. If youve never recovered a lampshade before, heres a quick tutorial. Im an amateur woodworker and make really beautiful lamps out of scrap wood. Send questions to localliving@washpost.com. I bought it at the Worlds Longest Yard Sale in 2013, and was saving it for the right project. Thrift stores are full of lamps that are just begging for a makeover. Turn a plain lampshade into a modern staple item for any room in your home with a stencil and a little craft paint. Allow the glue to dry completely. I am willing to take the lockset off the door for a few days. Turn it into a cozy textured cover for a lampshade. And that meant I just had to find a shade with a size and shape that suited my lamp. Trending Post: How to Build a Carpenter Bee Trap. Consider embroidering right on the shade itself if there's a layer of plain fabric on which you can stitch a simple design. Vasilas said relining can cost $75 to $200, with an average of about $85. Iron the fabric to add the decor fabric to the stable lining fabric. It is used to detect spammers. Then, fold the top and the bottom of the fabric in, so that it lined up with the top and bottom of the shade. Keep supporting great journalism by turning off your ad blocker. Instead of tossing it, save your leftover pieces and use them to cover the outside of an old and dingy lampshade. It is difficult to match color since there are many variations of off white on most shades and linings. The finished shade is very professional, great job! Roger Vasilas, owner of the Lamplighter, suggests bringing the lamp as well as the shade so you can look at new shades and compare prices before you opt for relining. How to Make a Reusable Elastic Casserole Cover. Dont remove the shade if it is in good condition.

Discard the old lampshade on your recent thrift find and replace it with caned webbing to instantly elevate your end or console table. I think it would probably work, if you used a fabric that isnt thin/see-through. We've updated our Privacy Policy, which will go in to effect on September 1, 2022. Id have to replace the entire door and lockset. If so, it's easy to refurbish or transform any lampshade into a DIY masterpiece with a little creativity and oftentimes a glue gun. Do you love the patterns and designs of modern decorative lampshades, but not the price tag? Thank you for your easy to follow directions. My stained drum shaped shade has a very small accordion pleated cover. With some hot glue, carefully glue the buttons onto the shade in a design of your choice. Use leftover wallpaper to cover the inside of the shade for a peekaboo bit of color. Your lampshade will look better than new . Polsky said a typical cost is around $45. So if you drop pieces off just after 10 a.m., they should be ready by 4 p.m., or you can pick them up the next morning. Remember to let the paint completely dry before re-attaching the shade to the lamp. If you need a hint of boho decor in a room, grab some macrame cord or rope, leftover twine, or any other chunky, textured roping that's just too good to toss. 2021 Fisherlight.com - Creative Lamp Shades. Use clothespins to hold it in place while youre working. This post may contain affiliate links. With so many options, its helpful to have advice from people at a full-service lamp store. Have you recently picked up a lamp at the thrift store topped with a bland or not-so-pretty lampshade? Consider working on the outsideand the insideof your shade for a new look.