All you need to make your own shabby chic lampshade: a wire lampshade frame (mine is a vintage one – it’s former shade was made of paper and got torn) and strips of white fabric. I got this idea at Halloween when my daughter dressed as a mummy – I had all these strips of fabric from that costume, and I hated to throw them out.
My fabric was already cut into strips (or ripped into strips, actually) when I made the mummy costume. I’d say you’d want to cut/rip your fabric in 8-10 inch wide strips. The strips then need to be cut to an equal length – long enough to wrap around the frame vertically once, then tied off into a knot.
You keep tying fabric strips all the way around the frame until all of the wire frame is covered.
First, let me say: my lampshade turned out a little more frou-frou than I meant it to. I will probably redo this with strips of muslin rather than the heavier cotton fabric I had on hand. I will also cut the strips a bit longer so the end hang down more rather than puffing out (that probably has to do with the thickness of the fabric, too).
I think it kinda overpowers this small lamp in my daughter’s room. And it kinda looks like I made it out of toilet paper in the above photo. Here’s a shot with the light on:
Perhaps I should stick to shopping for fabulous lampshades, rather than attempting to make my own! Here is a photo of the costume that spawned this frou-frou lampshade.
I guess that’s what happens when mummies go shabby chic!
It looks lovely! really effective 🙂
I love that lampshade!
I love it, too Kristie… maybe on a bigger lamp? I don’t think your blogging career is over by any means!
Your sweet, Michelle – definitely needs a bigger lamp, or different fabric, or longer strips, or SOMETHING. 🙂
Love this – not necessarily the lampshade but that you posted a craft project that didn’t quite turn out like you’d hoped. I remember the picture of the shade you saw in a store that you were trying to copy with this craft. It is comforting to see that even The Decorologist doesn’t always get her projects just right the first time! 🙂
Hey – we’ll be at Woodmont on Sunday…Hope to see you!
haha – thanks, amy! we will be there sunday – 2nd service!
Such a cute idea, though I agree that using a little less “bulky” fabric like a very light muslin would show off the shape of the shade a little better as well … especially when you have something other than the standard flared shade or drum ;^)
I think it’s Beautiful !!
thank you, Cherry 🙂
That mind of yours is always working. You are truly creative and green!
i made this lampshade the first time you posted it and i love it i have a shop and i thinks in gonna keep one made for sale all the time you rock and i love this one in your tutorial there r some many variations on this theme thanks…susan
Your kids are so lucky to have an amazing costume maker for a mother! Maybe if the tied off pieces at the base of the shade were shorter, or the base taller…it would be perfect!
Cheers!
My first thought when I saw your lamp was, ‘it’s so cute’. I didn’t see the things you pointed out until you pointed them out! I like its scale – there’s something very fun about it that works! 🙂
I love the idea and how simple. Absolutely adorable!
I like it Kristie! I will be making one too. Thank you for the idea 🙂 I might use thin strips of an old shabby chic sheet. XoXo
that’s cute, but I wonder if this could be at risk when turned on?
haha–cute! I think it kind of looks like a petticoat or something…but in a good way 🙂
I like it because it’s creative & different! What a great project. Thank you so much for linking it to Fabulous Friday.
Warmly, Michelle