When I shared that I wanted to cover the lampshades in my family room, several people asked if I would share my method. I have covered lampshades in the past, but I don’t think I’ve ever done it the same way twice. I’ve used peel-and-stick lampshades. I’ve adhered fabric to a shade using spray adhesive. I’ve hot glued fabric and/or trim, sewed lampshade slipcovers, and painted tired shades. I feel like I might win at a game of DIY lampshade cover Bingo. So, I’ve learned a lot along the way about what works and looks nice and what looks like a DIY lampshade cover. Before getting to the family room lampshades, which are a bit of a tricky shape, I decided to test out some things on a couple of simpler lampshades. I made a mini pleated cover for a drum shade and a wider pleated cover for an empire shade. Here is a tutorial showing the method I used.
This drum shade was an for an alabaster lamp I found at a local antique store. When I bought it, I knew I would want to cover it.
So, I made a sweet pleated, no-sew custom lampshade cover using a William Morris print from THIS ESTY SHOP. It’s a great weight for this kind of project (quality quilting cotton) and was my favorite of the two fabrics I worked with.
The second shade I covered was an empire shade that is specifically made for vintage floor lamps. I have been toting this lamp around with me for almost 20 years and it’s always been in the basement or garage. The neck was unscrewed and taped to the stand for that entire time. For years, it was because I couldn’t find a shade that fits the lamp (it has to screw on above the lightbulb) and then I just stopped looking. But, through all of my thrift store runs and yard sales, I just couldn’t get rid of the lamp. I finally plucked it from the basement, untaped it, and ordered a shade.
It’s a pretty cream shade and I could’ve left it as is, but if you know me, you know I love to customize things. I like to make them unique to me.
pleated lampshade cover tutorial | supply list
- lamp shade ( is the one I used in the video. It is a specialty shade for vintage floor lamps.)
- about a yard of fabric (In the video, I used Pedigree by Thibaut in Blue & Cream)
- scissors – is my favorite pair.
- iron & ironing board
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pleated lampshade cover tutorial | tips
- Use a lightweight cotton fabric so it’s easy to work with and glue down.
- Select a fabric that is semi-transparent, so it will still filter the light and not block it entirely (unless that’s the goal.)
- In this video, I pleated the fabric, but you can also gather it for more of a ruched look.
- If your fingers are sensitive (I have oven mitt hands), then use a popsicle stick or something similar to hold the fabric in place until it cools.
pleated lampshade cover tutorial | video tutorial
This is the kind of tutorial that is just easier to show in video rather than pictures and words, so here you go! It’s a short and simple tutorial showing exactly how I made these custom pleated lampshade covers.
And here are some close-ups of the final result. I love how this sweet shade turned out. I share this in the video, but when I made the bias tape, I decided to iron it a little offset, so it looked like two layers of trim. I think that’s a nice little detail.
The fabric I used for this shade is called Pedigree by Thibaut and I purchased some imperfect yardage from Fabric Guru. This is a great project for discounted fabrics that have imperfections in the printing because you won’t even see it. The downside to this fabric is that it was a little too thin and floppy. Since it is a lightweight cotton similar to quilting fabric, I figured it would pleat the same, but I found it a bit more challenging to work with than the William Morris fabric. It ended up looking nice, but I feel like the fabric doesn’t have as much structure and the pleats aren’t as sharp. Ruching might be a better option for the other lampshade covers I’m making with this fabric or I might even get out the sewing machine.
I have so many more important things to do than make custom lampshade covers, but it was a nice break from more physical work. I just plunked myself down in front of an old season of Survivor that I haven’t watched yet and worked on them.
This is not only a great way to customize a plain lampshade, but it’s a way to save old lampshades that are stained, torn, dated, or would be expensive to replace because of their size or shape. I needed less than a yard for each of these lampshades, so it doesn’t take much material.
I’ll share how I decide to cover the other shades in the living room since those are a bit more complicated and I know I’ll have to use a different method. But, today, my parents are coming over and my mom is helping me sew some curtain panels!
You had me chuckling at “oven mitt hands”. We kids used to say that my mom had burned off the nerve endings in her fingers–she could handle really hot items and it didn’t bother her.
I love the floor lamp and the shade you made. Your house is already looking like a home. Somehow I prefer your style in older homes–your last home was lovely, but even without all the upgrades that you are planning to do in your current house, everything seems to just “fit” here.
Absolutely perfect!!! I can’t wait to buy fabric and get started!! Thank you thank you thank you!!!!
So beautiful and an easy no sew fix! On my to do list for sure!
I agree with Kris, your previous house was lovely, but I much prefer your style in your older houses! I am loving watching your turn your old ranch style house into a new home with your signature style! Thanks for sharing tutorials.
Thank you for sharing this video. I’m going to try this. You’re blog is different than many who love to decorate because you share methods – I liken you to a great teacher, Marian. Because of you, I’ve learned to knit, upholster, and sew and now the lampshades…I’m so very grateful!
She is a great teaher! Rirst.
The shades sure are a game changer and look amazing! Thank you for the tutorial! So enjoyable watching how your home is becoming homey! Beautiful coziness!
Thank you Marian. I was one who requested you run a tutorial on the lamp shades. This looks completely doable for me. Your lampshades look professional and fabulous in your room. Everytime I see your blog in my inbox, I can’t wait to open it and see what you have been up to! Thank you so much.
I love it! Only one question: Do your pleats get narrower at the top to accommodate the smaller size? ?
I am ready to try this project! Thank you for the tutorial.
Thanks for sharing the tutorial. I love fabric-covered lampshades and, after watching your video, feel confident to try it. Each day, I enjoy seeing another small area of your new home become personalized to reflect your style and personality.
Great tutorial. I’ve spray glued fabric lampshades before. Your beginning method for using your rotary cutter kind if makes me cringe. .awkward and backwards…but I guess it works for you!
Ha! It didn’t feel awkward, but I guess it looks that way. 🙂
Thank you so much for the lampshade tutorial! I’ve covered a couple using a different method that look great as long as you don’t see the back. I’m going to try this method on some others. Yours add so much personality to the rooms!
Beautiful arrangement of your painting of Manet’s Berthe Morisot over the lovely chest in the entry. Looks like wallpaper! behind the alabaster lamp and pleated shade (love the “running rabbits” repeat along the bottom). Your antique books (gasp), the coral and shells are perfection. The blue and white plates and deer horns tie in so nicely with the James Farmer arrangement in the family room. The peek into the dining room reveals the placement for that fabulous European glass front cabinet. Love, love, love the grain pattern on that piece. This peek of pieces from your Minn. home that were so beautifully placed and introduced to us weeks/months/years ago are just wonderful to see again in new surroundings. Always look forward to seeing and reading your blog.
The shades look amazing. I’m enjoying seeing these little changes that are making big statements. Sharing a tutorial is even better. There are so many beautiful cotton fabrics available now. My suggestion would be to use a light weight fusible interfacing. SF101 would have been a good choice for that project.
Yes, I thought about that with the Pedigree fabric that didn’t pleat as well. Since I’m planing on using that on two more shades, I might try that!
Love love love the Brer rabbit fabric! I love William Morris designs; I just received some “Strawberry Thief” fabric I ordered from Spoonflower to line the back of a vintage mahogany cabinet! Thank you for continuing to post through the chaos of moving and settling in to your new home. We all need a daily fix of Miss Mustard Seed!
I never tire of watching your tutorials! Love the lamp shade
The edging trim you made isn’t bias as you said. Bias means it’s cut on the diagonal.
Yes, that’s true. I cut it straight to save fabric, but it is typically cut on the bias.
bias tape is typically a little easier to manipulate but boy it eats up the fabric.
Just cutting a little off the straight of grain gives you a little stretch without going full on bias. Your shades look great. I have a couple of lamps that are handmade
and need shades. I think your tutorial has given me some confidence to give it another try. I did them years ago but never have been happy with them. Mine looked like a kids scout project!
I love both lamp shades! They fit perfectly in your house. It’s looking so cozy and beautiful!
Thank you Marian for doing this tutorial & including the link to purchase the shade. I have my great grandmother’s floor lamp that I just put, I think it’s called an Edison light bulb, in my lamp. It works but I think your lampshade is so lovely! You are inspiring me so much & I can’t believe how much work you have done since you’ve moved into your new home! Everyday I get excited to see what you have done.
Lovely lampshades and thank you so much for the tutorial. I am about to cover a lampshade so thank you for the perfect timing too! Your blog holds so much value and you are ever so unique, creative and artistic in everything you do. Your blog is always a breath of fesh air:)
I’ve been wanting to do this for awhile. My problem is finding the correct size frame. The ones on the lamps don’t have connectors. They are only 2 rings. Plus the size seems to be unusual. ??♀️ I’ll figure it out. Thanks for the tutorial.
Good looking shades. Would it be possible in the end, to shoot a blast of steam from a steam iron to set those pleats? To give a real crisp edge? I quilt and am a “ironing freak” …..I have to have sharp, finished edges. …..and sometimes it is better to let enough alone!!!
Oh!!!! I forgot to say……the contrast of the plain shade and the covered one is amazing!!!
I love the shades! They are so adorable. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you so much! This is so timely, I have come to the end of dealing with ivory lamp shades. My question is how to choose fabric? I have four ivory shades in our bedroom, two on antique floor lamps and two on antique table lamps (one on a night stand, one on a dresser). Any thoughts?
thank you, thank you, thank you. Can’t wait to get started. Any yours are gorgeous!
Marian, you took plain shades and made them absolutely beautiful ! Now you need to show us how to redo a lamp shade with the wire forms that are not straight. I especially LOVE the alabaster table lamp and the blue fabrics you used.
Very sweet and you make it look so easy!
I absolutely love this lamp shades! Now I have a new project …