5/4/11

Crafty How-To: Ruffled Lamp Shade


 Back in January, one of my goals for the year was to 'cozy-up' our master bedroom. It is a beautiful room with great natural light. But it has been needing a few more layers to feel finished. And these red lampshades kept catching my eye- in a bad way.


I bought the lamps and shades at Hobby Lobby when I was in my red phase. Since then, I have been moving towards a more neutral palate. They are great lamps, red just isn't my thing right now. I read somewhere that in order to do neutrals right- you need to vary the textures. That way you don't end up with that 'white padded room' look.


So while I was doing my grocery shopping, I wandered into the craft aisle at Wal-mart. (Don't you just hate that they got rid of their fabric department?!) I found some unbleached muslin that was $5 for 2 yards. I liked the color and price, so I bought 2 packages. Then I went home and heated up the glue gun. One thing popped into my mind "Texture = Ruffles".



First I ripped off all the cording and bead work on the lamp shades.




 Then I glued one layer of the muslin over the red fabric.



 Next, I cut the muslin into strips that are 3 inches wide.


And then I ruffled,

 and ruffled,

and ruffled.
(For ruffle instructions- see here. Or set your machine to a straight stitch and adjust the length and width to the maximum.
The machine pretty much ruffles the fabric for you!)

Finally, I glued all those ruffles on to the shades. 



And 'ta-da'- new lampshades!






I love how frilly they are with the ruffles and raw edges.






And for some reason they make me think of this:


Amen!

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UPDATE: I had a reader email with a question about her lamp shade glowing pink after she completed this tutorial. SO beware that if your lamp shade is really dark (ex red) and your muslin is very thin, there is a chance that when you turn on the lamp in the evenings, the ruffled lampshade might appear pink!  I used thick muslin-- so keep that in mind when fabric shopping :)

Linking up with these great DIY parties:


Tip Junkie
Shanty 2 Chic
Thrifty Decor Chick
Tatertots and Jello
Lettered Cottage
Be Different Act Normal
A Beach Cottage
  http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/

65 comments:

  1. Those ruffle shades are GORGEOUS! I have red shades that I am tired of too in my bedroom. I think I may try this!

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  2. Wow! What a difference it makes in the room! So girly and fun!

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  3. Lovely makeover...the lamp looks very nice!

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  4. Those are adorable! That is awesome that you got a map from Napa!! I was going to look to see if we brought back one from Hawaii but who knows where it would be:)

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  5. Love! Totally inspired for my own bedroom makeover!

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  6. Love it! PS - I hear they are bringing back fabric to Wal-mart. Just FYI.

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  7. So cute! I agree about texture being the key to not looking sterile! Thanks for the tutorial -- saving in my folder for future projects!

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  8. Those are FABULOUS!! I just recently convert my master bedroom out of my 'red phase' too ;-) Wish I'd seen this tutorial first though, my blue shades are pretty but not THAT pretty!

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  9. I saw this on Centsational Girl's blog and absolutely love it. I'm trying to figure out where in my house I could do this ... I'm thinking these would be perfect in my bedroom! I was also inspired by your posts and am an official follower of your blog now. I'm a Texas girl, too, and am looking forward to more of your creative crafts!

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  10. Those new ruffles go so much better with the lamps, what a great idea! I've got to try this now....

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  11. Love the lamp!! Ruffles make everything better! The Wylie walmart still has fabric :) for now at least!

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  12. Wow love the lampshades and especially your headboard and footboard - where on earth did you get that bed?

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  13. Great tutorial, but man...I LOVE your headboard!!!

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  14. Thanks for all the blog love! The bed is actually from Ashely Furniture. We got it last year.

    Funny story- I was able to get the bed because they were running that special "buy furniture, get a free flat screen tv". My hubby was sold!

    :) Samantha

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  15. omg!!! I LOVE IT!!!! I am soooooo going to make some for my bedroom!!! what a cute and inexpensive way to dress up my lamps! I have been trying to decide if I am going to get new ones but now I wont have to!!!

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  16. I have that same bed! Don't you love it? It is nice to see how it looks decorated differently! Love the lamp!
    dreaming-n-color.blogspot.com

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  17. WOW...That looks amazing. I'm gonna borrow this idea!! ;-)

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  18. I am loving this lamp shade! I'm almost brave enough to try one myself. Thank you for sharing this tutorial! I'm a new fan and follower of your blog!
    lifewiththehawleys.blogspot.com

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  19. Great job. I love the black bed too!

    Warmly, Michelle

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  20. Those are sooo cute! I think I will try them! I'm going to link to your post on my blog. :)

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  21. I am overjoyed by all the kind comments and new followers! You are such sweet crafters.
    :) Samantha

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  22. Saw you featured at s2c thought these shades would have been a lot harder! Beautiful...may need to give it a shot son. Thanks for the inspiration
    Kim from tiaras and bowties

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  23. Beautiful! I saw this on Shanty 2 Chic - I LOVE how easy it looks! You are so creative to think of this. Thanks for sharing!

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  24. Love this! I've got 2 lamps just waiting to be ruffled now! Thanks for the idea and tutorial! :) Way awesome!
    Nat
    doodlecraft.blogspot

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  25. I love, love, love your ruffle lamp. I made a black one, only wider ruffles. I'd love it if you have time to check it out.

    Your latest subscriber. :)

    http://lacreativavida.blogspot.com/2011/05/little-ruffle-and-heirloom-white.html

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  26. your shades look so great!! thanks for the idea! also, love your bed. :)

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  27. Wonderful! I love it. It' s very chic.

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  28. I liked your lamp shades so much I copied some for myself! check out my results! http://pendantsbypaige.blogspot.com/2011/07/ruffled-lamp-makeover.html

    thanks for the inspiration!

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  29. I loved your blog, I am following and looking at it all ... congratulations
    posted the reform of the lamp on my blog, I hope you do not mind.
    A big kiss

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  30. wow I love the ruffled lamp and it's so well made!!

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  31. How do you make those ruffles?! The "click here" part you have in your blog doesn't take me anywhere. I tried doing what you said by setting my maching to a straight stitch and my length and width to the maximum settings and it doesn't ruffle my fabric...I am right in the middle of doing this project to some of my lamps. Help!

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  32. Got the link fixed :)
    Ruffle how-to can be found here:
    http://www.craftytexasgirls.com/2011/04/crafty-how-to-easter-egg-shirt.html

    Can't wait to see how your lamp turns out!
    Samantha

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  33. i MUST have that bed. Do you know who makes it. I looked through ashley furnitures website and couldn't find it. I'm so in love. Also think the lamps are great!

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  34. Well, I crawled under my bed- but I don't see the name of the company that actually made it. And I searched on Ashley but can't find it either. Sorry!

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  35. I am absolutely OBSESSED with that bed! I saw it posted on Pinterest and am on a mission to find it. If anyone knows the model name or manufacturer, please share! :-)

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  36. I found the bed!

    http://www.justmyshopping.com/1/58583/Britannia-Rose-Queen-Size-Panel-Bed-by-Ashley-Furniture-B651-54-57-96

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  37. Oh no! I got so excited for you! Maybe there is something similar out there.

    Good luck and keep me posted!

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  38. I love thhe neutral colour in your bedroom, we are thinging of going this route. Would you by chance happen to remember what colour you used?
    Thanks.

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  39. Thanks! I can't believe how popular my little lampshades have become. You can find all of my paint colors here: http://www.craftytexasgirls.com/2011/02/paint-colors.html

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  40. Hi! Those lamp shades are beautiful! I am going to try and do that for my girls in their room :) Where did you purchase your bedding set? It's so simply, yet so beautiful!

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  41. Thanks Melanie! The bed set was from Ashley furniture- but sadly it has been discontinued.

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  42. I just made these!!! you are amazing!! :) they are soooo easy and sooooo gorgeous!!

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  43. I am so thrilled to hear that the my lamp shade is making so many of you happy! Send me photos of your lamp shades when you make them!!!

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  44. where did you find your black and white pillows?

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  45. Way cute and I looked up how to do ruffles so I think I'm going to try per your lovely tutorial. This is so simplistic and cute.

    Your newest follower, Jess @ The Delightful Crafter

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  46. Can you tell what brand the comforter is???? love the ivory color thanks in advance

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  47. Hi Laurie- The comforter set is from Bed Bath & Beyond. I bought it a few years ago and of course cut all the tags from the bedding. So I am not sure the maker! I love the neutral color too!
    :) Samantha

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  48. Hi Samantha,
    Thanks so much for this super detailed tutorial. I just picked up the materials to do this for my daughter's room. I'm going to attempt this as my first sewing project so hopefully all goes well! My question is did you do anything to the edges of the muslin to prevent it from freying? I bought a basic quilters cotton and the edge already seems to be freying a bit and I haven't done anything to it. Thanks!

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  49. So, I noticed that you neglected to post a photo of the lamp when lit... is this because it gives off pink light? I just attempted to do the same ruffle look to the lamps in my bedroom, but the tan-ish colored lampshades were giving off a yellowish light which looks terrible between the ruffles. Now, I will probably end up buying white lampshades to transfer the ruffles onto, or just end up throwing the ruffles away.

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  50. @Attention to Details-- Actually my muslin blocks out the red tones pretty well. I am happy with how it looks when the light is turned on. It's not a pure white light, but it is not pink :) I don't do blog photography at night, so that is why I don't have a photo with the light on. Sorry you are unhappy with how it out. I know that is frustrating!
    :) Samantha

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  51. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  52. i love everything about this room! i really like the color of your walls in this room, do you by chance know that name and brand of paint? thanks!

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  53. Thanks Brittany! All the paint colors for my house can be found here: http://www.craftytexasgirls.com/2011/02/paint-colors.html

    :) Samantha

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  54. These DIY stuff is pretty fun to experience most importantly when you feel like relaxing at home. Right now I am currently restyling my home in a country chic feel.

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  55. The bed headboards there are really gorgeous. They do have a classy feel to it.

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  56. We did a little decorating at our home as well, most especially in the bathroom. We couldn't stand a really bare sink vanity units so we included a little touch to it.

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  57. I have a red lamp too in my bathroom that has been driving me crazy! What a fun makeover - I am totally doing this!! Thanks for sharing! :)

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  58. This is also a creative thing to give women. I found out from my sister that they like stuff for decor and anything for the house.




    Maya Hosworth

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  59. This has to be one of my favorite pins. Thanks for the fabulous idea! -Dallas,TX

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  60. I am looking to makeover a lamp shade for my nursery. How did the muslin hold up and the hot glue with the heat from the light bulb? I love the look of your lamp shade! Just beautiful!! ~ Jamie

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  61. Hi Jamie
    Good questions! The lamp shades look better than ever. I have no problem with the hot glue and light bulb heat. I got my muslin from Walmart- in those prepackaged bundles. If you have a dark lamp shade, you definitely want thick muslin so the original color of the lamp shade won't shine through when you turn on the light. Let me know how your shade turns out!
    ;) Samantha

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  62. This is my first time i visit here. I found so many interesting stuff in your blog especially its discussion. From the tons of comments on your articles, I guess I am not the only one having all the enjoyment here keep up the good work

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Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment! I love to hear from you and will do my best to answer questions and comments by 'replying via email'.
:) Samantha

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