Prettying up lamp shades

Careful_with_that_Axe

I've just moved house and have a distinct lack of shades for the amount of ceiling lights in the new place. I detest the paper globe shades and can't really afford to get the pretty shades I like.

I do have a few plain cream shades and some fabric and wondered how easy/safe it would be to use the fabric or bits of it to pretty up the plain shades.

Has anyone else tried this? Any suggestions on how to go about it; what glue to use etc?

meritaten

some plain cream shades eh? ok here goes some ideas.
add some beads to the edges with needle and thread - look in Hobbycraft or local craft shops for cheap large beads you can dangle off the bottom edge of the shade.
you can also put scraps of fabric on the shades with fabric glue ('No Sew' is good) or look for lengths of pretty ribbon to make bows or just glue on in stripes, criss crosses or loops.
The insides of the shades are pretty much heat proof so glue on to the outside of the shade any applique that takes your fancy (look in places like charity shops for items with applique) or Hobbycraft, Ebay etc).
Charity shops are great sources of silk scarves - you just cut a hole out of the middle to fit onto your shade glue on the outside of the shade and disguise the join with ribbon and let the scarf dangle over the shade.
Hope this has given you some ideas and sparked some creativity!

Careful_with_that_Axe

Thank you! I suddenly had the brain wave last night about using fabric, but you've tickled my craft fancy with lots more ideas! Having only started knitting a couple of years ago, I am new to flexing my craft muscle and haven't tried many other things and doubt not only my ability, but the safety of the things I think of doing.

meritaten

Careful_with_that_Axe wrote: »

Thank you! I suddenly had the brain wave last night about using fabric, but you've tickled my craft fancy with lots more ideas! Having only started knitting a couple of years ago, I am new to flexing my craft muscle and haven't tried many other things and doubt not only my ability, but the safety of the things I think of doing.

Good - but I am not sure about knitted shades! tho I did see a knitted car cover on an American site! so perhaps they do knitted shades too! lol.
I came back to say that you can often get beaded necklaces in charity shops for a LOT less than buying packs of beads!
The shades themselves should be ok - if you stitch or sew onto the outside it should be safe. I can understand the safety concerns - but in the seventies we did a lot of just throwing scarves over table lamps - in the case of nylon scarves - the bu99ers melted and stank the place out! but if you cut the hole out of the middle and glue to the outside of the shade - it will be fine.

caitybabes

Hello

My mum used to take the lampshade frames and re-make the shades out of fabric out of the curtain fabric in the room so they matched, so should be fine.

Enjoy your craftyness!

Cait

anguk

Irishgirl posted some links to lampshade tutorials on the Shabby Chic thread:
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=43306540&postcount=1296

midnightraven3

i KNOW these wont be to everyones taste:o
but we have just done 17 year old daughters bedroom with a sort of moulin rouge twist, saw a nice lamp, only £85:eek:
in the spirit of MSE we had a go ourselves

before



after



total cost including lamp
£13:D

Careful_with_that_Axe

That's amazing! You've done a wonderful job.

rosieben

just the sort of thread I'm needing :T

thanks for some good ideas meritaten

midnight, your lamp is very classy!

midnightraven3

be warned
its addictive!

walked into sons room clutching a handful of trim & my glue gun

i was banished:rotfl:

jackieglasgow

midnight that lamp is lovely, can I ask where you bought it from please?