After I covered all my lampshades for my classroom, I had quite a few inquiries about how to do it. I finally have a good opportunity to show you in a bit more detail.
I found this lamp base at Goodwill for $6.99. I’ve been in love with it at Target, but didn’t want to spend the money. The taller one is $65.00 (!!!) so I knew I was getting a good deal.
The goal here was cheap, cheap, cheap so I purchased this shade at Target for $5.00. I would have liked a little bit smaller one, but you can’t beat that price.
I laid out the fabric I wanted to use and got my handy dandy spray adhesive. The white underneath is a bunch of paper I laid out. I was too lazy to get my tablecloth. Be careful, though. The adhesive is messy and gets everywhere.
If you have plenty of fabric, it doesn’t matter how you roll it out, but I was dealing with a scrap piece. I had to make sure I rolled it pretty precise. I sprayed the shade and the fabric then let it sit for a minute or so. It gets tackier if you let it sit.
Once it’s rolled on and smoothed out, just trim the excess off. I trim it pretty close so there’s no excess fabric underneath that shows when the lamp is on.
When the shade is round, I cut little slits every inch or so in order for it to wrap under well.
This should be done at the top and the bottom.
Then, I line the edge with a fine bead of hot glue with my dollar store hot glue gun. 
I immediately tuck the fabric around the edge and burn the tips of my fingers with the hot glue. Every time.
Lastly, I engage my new little sparkly lamp in a photo shoot to show off her new outfit.
She poses and smiles—completely aware of her newfound beauty.
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I have covered lamps before too…. and burn my fingers ev.er.y. time. You would think since we can fly people to the moon, that someone in this universe could create some type of adhesive device that does not involve inhumane torture devices. I swear I think someone is playing an evil trick on all the crafty housewifes across america. they are sitting somewhere in a quiet little house laughing while they hold the patent to some type of amazing non burning glue adhesive. just stumbled across your blog… love it!
I adore it! What a great idea!!!
Very cute and simple. I love easy home-made touches! =]
That was a great deal you found. I still haven't attempted this little project. I sure need to.
wow you must have a great goodwill.great job i love the shade!
THANK YOU for the tutorial…I just bought a shade to recover and I wasn't sure how I would do it…now I do!
Love it! I wish our Goodwill had stuff like that and I'm even really open- minded!
Great job! Had to laugh about the burned fingers though because I KNOW what you are talking about.
Hugs,
Joanne
Thanks for the information on covering a lampshade. It looks very professional. Nice job! Love & blessings from NC!
Thanks for the quick tutorial! I am just getting ready to recover a lampshade, so it was the perfect time!
teri
It looks wonderful. I will have to try this and especially now that I know about cutting the slits to make it fold. I know, I know…I should have already known that, but I didn't.
the shade is wonderful and what a great color… thanks too for the tutorial… round shapes always intimidate me LOL
I love that lamp, and the wreath!
Yeah….ahem…your projects are turning out better than mine…
Looks gorgeous….and so easy peasy. But I'm not buying it! Nope.
Thanks for posting this. I've been wanting to cover a lamp for my daughters room, so I'll be using your tips!
Thanks for the tutorial – I now feel much more confident in transforming our bedroom lampshades!
Chelsea
Looking at that last picture makes me think, If you ever take that wreath down, your lamp wants to wear it! or at least something like it! temporarily of course. But it would look cute with a boa of it's own.
wow! looks great! that is so inspiring!
Fabulous tips! Thanks so much for sharing.
Love your lampshade and what a fabulous bargain on the lamp! I am convinced that I need to check out the Goodwill.
As for the glue gun – I figure I'm good to go if I ever need the witness program…my fingerprints are long gone.
Hi Chris,
You make it look so easy. I've tried this several times and the fabric bubbles, wrinkles, and creases. I don't know what I did wrong. It might be that I didn't wait for the glue to get tacky first. Your's looks so perfect and quite cute I might add. 🙂
Kelly
So cute, and I just love that fluffy wreath in the background.
Oh, I love it when I find a great lamp from Target at Goodwill. I've bought several that way. The shade is perfect as well.
I've never done this, but I really want to give it a try. You make it look easy! I think maybe I'll try it with a lampshade I found at the thrift store. Then, if I completely wreck it, it won't be a huge loss.
That lampshade is the absolute PERFECT color.
I have been busy as a bee working on my month long give-a-way but I saw your pillow on Miss Mustard Seeds blog and hadn't had a chance to come over and tell you what a great job you did.
Cheri
Yay! My son just picked out a lamp he loves at Pottery Barn but I don't have the cash for it (as usual) so I told him we'd try to make one like it – now I know how!!! Thank you!!!
Cut little slits. Of course! Ugh. I wish you would have done this tutorial back in the summer when I was recovering my boys' lamp. The messiness bugs me every time I'm in there room. Now I know though!
Very pretty, Chris! Sometimes those bases can be so expensive, but you got a great find! I have a couple of shades to do myself.
Beautiful, thanks for the tutorial
Love your easy tutorials! I have tried this numerous times but couldn't get it to work because I didn't cut slits. Thanks for the enlightenment!
Fabulous as usual!! Hey ya' all….I am taking a poll…in regard to people's happiest moments. Come on ova'
Thanks for sharing this tutorial. I actually just got a lamp at an estate sale. I like the base but not the outdated shade. I am on the hunt for some new fabric to cover the shade!
Just love it! Did you spray a bit at a time? I love the lampbase.
Since I just bought and used my new glue gun today (for a burlap wreath!) I know all about burning my skin 🙂 Love the lampshade, I might have to try that next!!
I love it! Also, you can have lamps in your classroom….I wish! Those lights are harsh! Tell us more about the very cool wreath too!!!
I love your site keep up the great work 🙂
I LOVE it! Simply love it! And I must try it now…it looks pretty simple…except with me, I'd probably have to take a side trip to the emergency room to get my burned fingers taken care of!! You must have some kind of fabulous good will store….I have never, ever seen a Target lamp in one!! Great deal!! Thanks ever so much for sharing this!!
This lamp looks amazing. What a find !
awesome!
i have 5 lamps that need some serious attention and dressing up….now to find the perfect fabric to please them…!!
debs
That's really clever! I always wondered how to cover lampshades without creasing them, the splits are brilliant. Thankyou. 🙂
Looks great! I have yet to recover a lampshade, but after seeing your tutorial, it looks super easy!
Oh my goodness I am sooo jealous of your find! I have been eying this exact lamp base for some time. You lucky, lucky girl.
Thanks so much for sharing. This is something I have always wanted to try but lacked the tutorial. I have it bookmarked so now all I need is an orphan lamp and shade.
Love it! Now I need to watch for a cheap lamp to come in to our good will!!
Love it! What a great idea!
Hi JaG, it sounds funny to say that. Anyway, I just found your blog today (DUH!) and love it love it LOVE IT! Your style is similar to mine (or what I aspire to anyway)…I've been reading through some of your archives so I thought I'd introduce myself so you don't get creeped out. 🙂
ps…Please come to my house and mistreat all of my windows b/c it looks fab!
some type of amazing non burning glue adhesive. just stumbled across your blog… love it!
Work from home India
I am so happy you showed this! I have a lamp shade that has been begging me to save it…poor thing.
I’m loving looking through your projects! I’m sure If you were to keep an eye on my (new) blog:
HoneybeeBoutiqueAndBlog.blogspot.com , you will see links and shout outs to MANY of your projects in the future. I have a list of things I want to try to tackle (Been wanting to paint my front door FOREVER, now I know what paint to use!) I’ll be keeping my eye on you, lady….. ;O)
Thanks so much! Melissa
That’s awesome, Melissa! Thank you so much!
This is a great idea, what do you do when you want to change the pattern of the lamp cover? have any good advice =)
I’m not sure I understand, decoguy…Do you mean if you don’t like the fabric on the original lampshade? I simply cover it with new fabric. If the fabric on the original is a bold print, it can be tricky. Either buy a new lampshade that is solid or cover it with a dark fabric. Hope that helps!