UncategorizedDIY Tie-Dye Lampshade August 11, 2014 Tie-dye seriously makes everything better. It can brighten any neutral, drab fabric that is screaming, “Make me unique! Make me pretty!” We all have those lamps that are neutral and fine, but wouldn’t they be better with a little more personality? That’s what I thought recently looking at this tan and white lamp sitting in front of my white wall. It was lacking. It desperately needed some lovin’. And inspiration struck! I recently have discovered a fondness for tie-dye and thought, why couldn’t I make a tie-dye lampshade? First, I bought a white handkerchief in the tie-dye section at Hobby Lobby. The best part about these is that they are 99 cents! They’re the perfect size for pillows like these that I made recently. I made the more traditional tie-dye pillow using my Fold and Clamp Tutorial, but I tweaked the tutorial some to make the stripe pillow. See how I made it here. But I knew it would also work perfectly for a lampshade! After a little measuring, I discovered that these handkerchiefs are the perfect size to cover a 12″ lampshade. I started by tie-dying the handkerchief using my recent Fold and Clamp Tutorial. I read a lot of tutorials and experimented some and this simplified tutorial gives me the exact look I love and leaves room for customization. Using that tutorial and Rit Navy Dye, my handkerchief now looks like this. Here’s what you’ll need to create your own tie-dye lampshade! Lampshade Fabric Glue Scissors Tie-dye Handkerchief (or any fabric) Step 1: Measure your fabric I laid my fabric on top of the shade and pulled the under-side through the lamp. I worked until the two seams were even and then that told me where to cut on the bottom. Step 2: Cut Fabric Cut your fabric into two equal halves. Step 3: Glue your Fabric to Shade Run your fabric glue along the top of the shade in a line and lay the fabric in place. Since I cut mine down the middle, one side of my halves has a seam and the other doesn’t. I chose to put the seam-side on top of the shade, so I laid it even with the edge of the shade. There isn’t enough, if you’re using the handkerchief method, to overlap on both sides, but if you get it right up to the shade edge, it looks great. Once you’ve glued the top of the shade, run glue underneath the bottom edge of the shade and fold your fabric under to attach. As you’re doing this, make sure that you smooth out the fabric. It’s really easy to glue both sides and then realize that you have wrinkles and excess fabric that you didn’t smooth out. Step 4: Attach Other Half Once you’ve glued the top and bottom of one piece, half of your shade should be covered. Now, repeat the same steps to attach the other piece to the other half. This will leave you with two seams where the pieces meet, but if you take your time while gluing and smooth the fabric, these seams can look really professional! Step 5: Style and Use your Lamp! I’m so in love with the pattern that this updated shade brings into my little bland corner! I love how the blue compliments the black and white photos in our Southwestern Family Portrait Art! Now we’ve added some real personality to this neutral little corner.
Marty@A Stroll Thru Life says August 11, 2014 at 2:37 pm I love it, who would have thought. Great project. Reply
baileywife @ Irishman Acres says August 11, 2014 at 4:56 pm I went back to work (school) and thought about you and how lucky you are staying home now! I will miss being HOME and working on projects and my blog. Now I will just have to get more organized and blog on the weekends or after kids go to bed! And I meant to let you know, thanks to your tutorial, my daughter used the fold and clamp method of dyeing and made 2 pillowcases as a 4H project this summer, they turned out super cute! ~Kim Reply
Bethany @ Dwellings by DeVore says August 12, 2014 at 6:35 am This looks so good! I love that it’s cheap and easy too! Reply
Jennifer @ Dimples and Tangles says August 18, 2014 at 9:33 am Lindsay, this is such a great idea! I’ve covered many-a-lampshade in my day, but wouldn’t have thought to use a handkerchief to make it removable if needed! Or, to tie-dye! Love it! Reply