I was going to put the lamp up for sale for a few bucks- actually I did list it- but then realized I'm throwing away money.

So- The BIG question- will recovering a lamp shade hide/fix the fact that it was damaged?
I chose to recover the shade with burlap for two reasons.
(1) I think it works with the wicker. (2) I wanted something sturdy that will hold its shape.
Recovering a lampshade is pretty easy. Just a few tricks to help you do it.
You want to cut out a piece of fabric large enough to not only cover the shade but also provide an inch of extra fabric on all sides.
I did this by simply rolling the shade along the fabric and tracing the outline with a marker.
Then go back over that line and make a second line one inch larger. This is the line you will actually cut.
I chose to recover the shade with burlap for two reasons.
(1) I think it works with the wicker. (2) I wanted something sturdy that will hold its shape.
You want to cut out a piece of fabric large enough to not only cover the shade but also provide an inch of extra fabric on all sides.
I did this by simply rolling the shade along the fabric and tracing the outline with a marker.
The side you drew on will be the same side you will be attaching to the shade. I used some spray adhesive to attach the fabric to the shade. {I priced it out and paid 5 bucks at Walmart. It would've been a little cheaper if I had used a 40% off coupon and gotten it from JoAnn's.}
This is important you need to start attaching the new fabric to the old fabric seam. Then you will wrap the fabric around the shade, smoothing it as you go, until you end at the old seam. If you don't create your new seam over the old one you'll be able to see two seams when the light is on.
At the seam you should fold over the fabric to make a clean edge and use hot glue to secure it.
{If you're using a soft fabric, like silk, it's a good idea to fold over your fabric where the seam will be and iron it so it will look crisp.}
Next you'll wrap the excess fabric around the edges of the shade and use hot glue to attach it to the inside.
Because my shade was warped I attached the fabric more securely to the tops and bottom and only firmly secured the fabric to the undamaged portions on the shade.
Once I finished, I staged the lamp and took some photos for the sale listing.
But when I saw the pics the lamp looked like something was missing. It was a little to plain. What do you think?
I printed it up and planned to tape it to the inside of the shade, as I did with the French Bee Lamp I made last week. Because the fabric was so thick I could hardly see my stencil. I tried darkening the stencil with a black sharpie but it was still too difficult to see.

So I finally cut it out and taped it to the outside. I wanted the writing to be an even one inch from the bottom of the shade but a strait piece of paper wouldn't do that. So I made several cuts on the top and bottom of the stencil so that I could curve the paper slightly.

I used a thin brush and black craft paint to fill in the stencil. The stencil was a little flimsy- but I'm pretty good at improvising. If you aren't, just print out your stencil on card stock and you shouldn't have a problem.

So here it is.
The once ruined portion of the lampshade it right in the front and I think it now looks great!
There is no visible damage, at all! The burlap is straight and there is no waffling where the shade was once melted.
Maybe I should rethink selling this after all?
This is important you need to start attaching the new fabric to the old fabric seam. Then you will wrap the fabric around the shade, smoothing it as you go, until you end at the old seam. If you don't create your new seam over the old one you'll be able to see two seams when the light is on.
At the seam you should fold over the fabric to make a clean edge and use hot glue to secure it.
{If you're using a soft fabric, like silk, it's a good idea to fold over your fabric where the seam will be and iron it so it will look crisp.}
Because my shade was warped I attached the fabric more securely to the tops and bottom and only firmly secured the fabric to the undamaged portions on the shade.
Once I finished, I staged the lamp and took some photos for the sale listing.
But when I saw the pics the lamp looked like something was missing. It was a little to plain. What do you think?
I decided some typography was in order. I turned to Microsoft Word and typed up something to give the lamp more interest and character.
A "No. 301" to be exact.
I printed it up and planned to tape it to the inside of the shade, as I did with the French Bee Lamp I made last week. Because the fabric was so thick I could hardly see my stencil. I tried darkening the stencil with a black sharpie but it was still too difficult to see.

So I finally cut it out and taped it to the outside. I wanted the writing to be an even one inch from the bottom of the shade but a strait piece of paper wouldn't do that. So I made several cuts on the top and bottom of the stencil so that I could curve the paper slightly.
I used a thin brush and black craft paint to fill in the stencil. The stencil was a little flimsy- but I'm pretty good at improvising. If you aren't, just print out your stencil on card stock and you shouldn't have a problem.

So here it is.
The once ruined portion of the lampshade it right in the front and I think it now looks great!
There is no visible damage, at all! The burlap is straight and there is no waffling where the shade was once melted.
Maybe I should rethink selling this after all?
I party HERE-
I like it!
ReplyDeleteNice result! Thanks for the thorough tutorial!
ReplyDeleteAngela
http://amcinnisartworks.blogspot.com
WOW!! Such a GREAT transformation...don't sell it...just DON'T!! ;)
ReplyDeleteOh it looks great! That stencil adds that perfect vintage feed bag touch!
ReplyDeleteHi There, Found your link on Funky Junk. LOVE what you did with the lamp shade. It looks fabulous. And its definitely one of a kind. Nice job. : ) ~ Catie
ReplyDeleteI love the touch of adding the numbers. Made a big impact!
ReplyDeleteladeedacreations.com
I think it looks great right where you have it and adding the stencil made it perfect. Great job.
ReplyDeleteIt looks really cute. Great fix!
ReplyDeletemegan
craftycpa.blogspot.com
It looks great! The numbers really added the finishing touch.
ReplyDeleteAnother great lamp re-do! You're inspiring to revamp my own lamps which now look very boring and sad!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
Hope you have a great week!
Jill @ Creating my way to Success
http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/
Really great job-you inspired me!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a cool lampshade! I love the look of the stenciled burlap.
ReplyDeleteI found you through the Tip Me Tuesday link party and am your newest follower. Come check me out, too, if you're interested @ Carissa's Creativity Space
I love this! Great idea.
ReplyDeleteI love this! I would love it if you would link up to my Tuesday Confessional party going on now. There is a really great giveaway going on with it. I hope to see you soon! http://www.craftyconfessions.com/2011/07/tuesday-confessional-linky-party-and.html
ReplyDelete~Macy
thanks for sharing this it will be of great help see me at http://shopannies.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteNicely done!
ReplyDeletegood save! Thanks for linking up to Mad Skills Monday!
ReplyDeleteWow, I'd never know it was a damaged shade, great fix to an ugly problem. And I really like it in your display picture, I think it looks great there. Thanks for the tip!
ReplyDeleteVery nice outcome indeed. Tutorial very informative. Thanks for posting.
ReplyDeleteLove your shade and the numbers!
ReplyDeleteSusan
Great Coverup! I love the lamp! It is so cute and so stylish
ReplyDeleteLove this! I actually just covered a pair of really ugly old shades myself and used the same "rolling" technique you did. It was my first time and I was surprised how well it turned out. Love the vignette you've created here!
ReplyDeleteExcellent, I love burlap.
ReplyDeleteThat lamp looks great! Why 301?
ReplyDeleteI love this lamp shade! You did an amazing job! Thank you for linking up to Sew Woodsy last week. We've featured your project today. Please stop by and grab a featured button, and remember to link up tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteLooks great! Linking up after you at a bowl full of lemons.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you didn't throw this away - it looks even better now! Love it!
ReplyDeleteI love this lamp. Infact I love everything you have on your dresser top there. So cute! I'd love for you to link this up at my Feature Friday Link Party
ReplyDeletehttp://blissfulanddomestic.blogspot.com/2011/07/feature-friday_29.html
This was a great fix! I love the addition of the numbers--makes it that much more unique! Great job.
ReplyDeleteI love the entire look you have going on! The wreath, lamp, it is all gorgeous! Amazing job!
ReplyDeleteI would love to have you share this at my first link party--
http://southernlovely.blogspot.com/2011/08/show-share-1.html
Love it..amazing transformation !!!
ReplyDeletenoticed we have the same font-covered by grace..
but ur blog looks awesome..(unlike mine)how do i make it look brighter?
keep crafting..
big hugs,
B.
Love it!
ReplyDeleteVery nice, I would love that if it were mine.
ReplyDeleteHugs Cindy
Oh that wicker lamp! She wouldn't possibly want to come live at my house would she? ;) I love this lamp!
ReplyDeleteit looks great, i have several lamp shades in need! what a great look!
ReplyDeletedebbie
Great ideas and tutorial.I love it, thanks for all.
ReplyDeleteLijepa lampa!!!
ReplyDeletePozdrav
What a great result. I am always amazed at how creative and clever you are!
ReplyDeleteBest wishes,
Natasha in Oz
I love burlap and this project is awesome, the stenciling is the perfect finishing touch. Found you at Homemaker on a Dime. Great job!
ReplyDeleteGreat shade!
ReplyDeleteA terrific redo. The lampshade looks so pretty all dressed in burlap.
ReplyDeleteDee
I think that lamp is really cute with the burlap. I love the base too! Do you still have the lamp?
ReplyDeleteNice salvage for sure!
--Katie
Hi there! glad to drop by your page and found these very interesting and informative stuff. Thanks for sharing, keep it up!
ReplyDeletelamp repair boston