Custom Fabric-Covered Lampshade

Give a tired lamp a fresh, high-end look by covering the shade with trendy fabric and ribbon.
Brown Patterned Lampshade With Green Ribbon Trim on White Lamp Base

White Lamp With Trendy Brown Patterned Lampshade

This handmade patterned lampshade lends style and pizzazz to the nightstand it adorns. Give your own tired lamp a fresh, high-end look by covering the shade with trendy fabric and ribbon.

By: Janell Beals

Related To:

Materials Needed:

  • lampshade
  • 3/4 yard of fabric per shade
  • 3 yards of ribbon trim per shade
  • fabric glue
  • temporary fabric pen
  • clean-release tape
  • small paintbrush
  • scissors

Cut Fabric

Place lampshade on front side of fabric. Roll shade along fabric, cutting two inches above and below edges of shade.

Measuring Out Brown Patterned Fabric Using Lampshade

Measure and Cut Lampshade Fabric

Place lampshade on front side of fabric. Roll shade along fabric, cutting two inches above and below edges of shade.

Place Fabric Around Shade

Wrap fabric around shade and trim off excess fabric, leaving two inches for overlap.

Brown Patterned Fabric Being Wrapped Onto Lampshade

Wrap Fabric Around Lampshade

Wrap fabric around shade and trim off excess fabric, leaving two inches for overlap.

Glue Fabric to Shade

Run a line of fabric glue along the shade's existing seam and press one end onto glue. Secure end with clean-release tape and allow glue to fully dry for 1/2 hour. Tip: Place new fabric's seam over existing seam for a clean finished product.

Lampshade With Line of Fabric Glue on Seam

Glue Fabric to Lampshade

Run a line of fabric glue along the shade's existing seam and press one end onto glue. Secure end with clean-release tape and allow glue to fully dry for 1/2 hour. Tip: Place new fabric's seam over existing seam for a clean finished product.

Wrap Fabric Around Shade

Holding the loose end, wrap fabric snugly around shade, overlapping the glued end. Temporarily secure excess fabric with clean-release tape to prevent fabric shifting.

Wrapping Brown Patterned Fabric Around Lampshade

Wrap Fabric Around Lampshade

Holding the loose end, wrap fabric snugly around shade, overlapping the glued end. Temporarily secure excess fabric with clean-release tape to prevent fabric shifting.

Mark the Fold Line

Fold excess fabric towards inside of shade and mark top edge with a temporary fabric pen. It's best to work on one end of the shade at a time; start with the top side.

Pen Marking Fabric Fold Line on Lampshade Edge

Fold Excess Fabric and Mark Fold Line With Fabric Pen

Fold excess fabric towards inside of shade and mark top edge with a temporary fabric pen. It's best to work on one end of the shade at a time; start with the top side.

Cut Excess Fabric

Remove excess fabric by cutting roughly 1/2-inch beyond the line drawn with fabric pen.

Scissors Cutting Excess Brown Patterned Fabric

Cut Excess Fabric

Remove excess fabric by cutting roughly 1/2-inch beyond the line drawn with fabric pen.

Tuck Cut Fabric Edges

Create a clean edge by folding cut fabric under 1/2-inch and inserting between fabric and shade. Check finished seam as you go to ensure that the amount folded under is even, creating a consistent edge.

Excess Fabric on Lampshade Edges Being Folded and Tucked Under

Fold and Tuck Fabric Edges

Create a clean edge by folding cut fabric under 1/2-inch and inserting between fabric and shade. Check finished seam as you go to ensure that the amount folded under is even, creating a consistent edge.

Glue Edges

Run a thin bead of fabric glue between folded fabric and shade. Firmly press fabric into place.

Applying Fabric Glue to Edge of Lampshade

Glue Fabric Edges Into Place

Run a thin bead of fabric glue between folded fabric and shade. Firmly press fabric into place.

Finish Shade Bottom

Turn shade over and repeat steps five through eight on bottom side of shade.

Covering Lampshade Bottom With Brown Patterned Fabric

Fold, Cut, Tuck and Glue Lampshade Bottom

Turn shade over and repeat steps five through eight on bottom side of shade.

Create a Finished Side Seam

Remove tape holding excess fabric in place. Turn cut end under 1/2–inch to create a finished edge and secure with glue. Apply glue to underside of finished edge and firmly press onto shade.

Gluing Down Brown Patterned Fabric Seam

Create Finished Side Seam

Remove tape holding excess fabric in place. Turn cut end under 1/2–inch to create a finished edge and secure with glue. Apply glue to underside of finished edge and firmly press onto shade.

Embellish With Ribbon

Beginning at side seam and working in small sections, brush fabric glue onto shade's top and bottom edges. Cover glue with ribbon working your way around shade back to seam. Turn under ribbon ends to create a finished edge and glue onto shade.

Gluing Green Ribbon Onto Brown Lampshade

Embellish Lampshade With Ribbon

Beginning at side seam and working in small sections, brush fabric glue onto shade's top and bottom edges. Cover glue with ribbon working your way around shade back to seam. Turn under ribbon ends to create a finished edge and glue onto shade.

Next Up

Quick-and-Easy Bed Skirt

A great project for beginning sewers, a custom bed skirt will boost your bedroom's style.

Turn an Architectural Item Into Art

Add a one-of-a-kind decoration to your bedroom: Hang an interesting, salvaged object on the wall as art in just a few simple steps.

Modern Bedroom Update: Add a Drapery Focal Wall

Floor-to-ceiling draperies add height, drama and a stylish, modern look to any bedroom.

Turn a Coverlet Into a Duvet Cover

Give a favorite thin quilt or coverlet new life by turning it into a custom duvet cover.

Creative and Chic DIY Nightstands

Turn an unused table into a pair of stylish and useful nightstands with our easy-to-follow instructions.

Cottage-Style Nightstands

Give any nightstand a quick, cottage-style facelift with a fresh coat of paint and distressed finish.

Upholstered Headboard With Nail Head Trim

Create a dramatic focal point in your bedroom with a custom, upholstered headboard that extends to the ceiling.

Custom Upholstered Room Divider

Delineate a bedroom work area from sleep space by customizing inexpensive, bi-fold doors to create a one-of-a-kind room divider.

Make a Tie-Dye Shower Curtain

It only takes 24 hours to brighten up a basic bathroom.

Ice Tie-Dye Napkins Four Ways

A tie-dye DIY so simple it only takes three ingredients: powder fabric dye, cotton napkins and ice.

More from:

Fast Fix: Bedrooms

Go Shopping

Get product recommendations from HGTV editors, plus can’t-miss sales and deals.

On TV

Follow Us Everywhere

Join the party! Don't miss HGTV in your favorite social media feeds.