This is a lamp I made over last weekend. I'm happy with how it turned out! (Notice I moved the hand painted plates that I had in my bedroom downstairs on my hutch now?)
This is how I found the lamp at the Goodwill. I think it was around $9. I had the lampshade (from Target) below but it was really plain so I made a slipcover out of linen I already had for it.
It was easy...sort of. As you can see in the photo below, my sewing skills are a little rusty ~ I sewed the bottom ruffle on the wrong side. When I saw what I had done I wanted to throw it away and just walk away from this project. I hate sewing ruffles and the only thing worse than sewing them is ripping them out so I wasn't about to do that! I ended up just sewing a zig-zag stitch over it and left the raw edges on the top of the bottom ruffle as fringe. It sort of looks like I planned it this way but you know the truth now. 
The good thing about these little slipcovers for lampshades is that you can wash them!
51 comments:
Cindy:
Totally amazing....love the lamp and thanks for the slipcover lesson, I will try it!
Debbie
Of course I noticed your little plates there in the hutch! A pink plate never escapes my eagle eyes!
And that lamp shade if great! I cannot sew a stitch so I am amazed by the whole idea! :)
M ^..^
Hi Cindy! Adorable transformation!!! We call those little mistakes "Details"! You probably know the trick for making easy ruffles with the crochet thread that you zig-zag over and then gather up. I love that technique cuz threads never break when you gather the ruffles! Only way I make a ruffle now! The plates would look beautiful anywhere you put them and the lamp just looks perfect there too! Have a great week - Jeannette
The lamp makeover is outstanding...
you have me hooked on our local
thrift stores and flea markets. It's so much fun to go and find these hidden treasures and transform them into something
beautiful.The slipcover could also
apply to our chandeliers also....
a new look for pennies.
Thanks Cindy, ~~~Mimi
Really lovely.
Another project that turned out gorgeous. What a great way to cover the shade. I definitely have some lamp shades that could stand a sprucing!
http://mythriftyvictorianhome.blogspot.com/
Libby
Very cute Cindy! You shoulda kept your flaws to yourself, we wouldn't have know any better, lol!
I like how Jeanette calls the little mistakes details, hehe...
Nikki
I love the way it turned out! And I love the idea of a washable lamp shade! :-)
I think the lampshade is really cute. Couldn't you just turn it inside out to get the ruffle like you want?
I love the lamp and the lamp shade. Your talent never ceases to amaze me.
Yet another cute post. I love the plates on the hutch! You did a great job on the lamp!
My little sweet Cindy, ya wanna hear about MY mistakes?!?!?! I don't think your or MY life is long enough! Hah. But I've done exactly EXACTLY the same thing. My lamps, however, turned out even better than I expected. They are on my blog if you'd like to look....week or two ago though, sweets.......
Smoochies,
Connie
Hey, be sure to check out today's post @ Serendipitylovesnewyork.
blogspot.com!! I think you will really enjoy it!
M ^..^
And, of course, we hope you post a tutorial about how to measure for, and sew, slipcovers for lampshades.
Just beautiful!
Cindy, there you go and you're doing it again! A marvelous makeover. The little cherub is so precious white and I love how your lampshade turned out. Love the ruffle on the outside like that. Do you have a pattern for your slipcover? I'd really like to know how you do that. I'm having a tea party at my blog, would you love to come? I would love to have you.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
Cindy,
The lamp turned out great! Of course as someone else said, we would like a lesson on how to make these covers. thanks so much!!
Cindy,
If you had not told us of your ruffle problem I don't think we would have noticed.
I like the idea of a slip cover. Your able to change up, and save money on different shades.
Ciao
Glenda
Cindy, I leave your blog with a smile every time! You are so delightfully honest -- who would have thought that a boo-boo-ed lampshade could be so adorable and endearing.? I'm a perfectionist by nature and it reeeeaaaaally impedes my personal growth (especially on the blog). You encourage me to laugh at the mistakes -- or make them "fashionable." ; ) Thanks for your refreshing spot on the web. Always a delight ~
The lamp looks great! It's amazing how a "little" can transform so much.
Enjoy your day!
I LOVE it Cindy!! You did a beautiful job!
Amy
Your place is such an inspiration. I'm moving to a new place and am contemplating painting everything mostly white, but I have one mahogany secretary that I can't paint because it's a family heirloom like 150 years old. So it will stick out like a sore thumb. I wonder what to do about it. The place only has two beds and a small living area, so it can't really be hidden. Hmm. Any ideas? Love your taste!
Cindy, at least you can sew! Not me, so I would have to glue a doily or something on the plain lampshade. Nice job. It is really sweet.
Thanks for coming to my tea party, Cindy! I'm just honored that my hero would come to my house! Yes, the blogland teapot is so beautiful and I wish I could find the sugar and creamer. Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
Oh this is just darling.. I love lamps.. especially when they are unique... ~ lynne~
What a fabulous trasfermation! LOVE it! I really need to spruce up some of my shades. Always love to visit your blog. You are welcome to take a peek at mine
http://partywishesscv.blogspot.com/
Hi :) I've only just found your blog and I absolutely love how you have decorated your home! It's so beautiful!
Your lamp is amazing! I love going to op shops (thrift stores) but I have to admit, I don't have an eye for stuff like you do :)
Dear Lady, I beleive you can transform anything. Love the lamp. we would have never known you made a boo boo if you hadn't told us. I can't wait to see what you do next.
Jean in Virginia
Cindy,
What a great makeover you did on that lamp! You are just so creative!
emily
What are you taking about.... it looks perfect.... utterly charming.... as always
HUgs
Linda
I love your little lamp makeover! I need to learn to make some of those slipcovers for some lamps around here - I would love to be able to throw them in the wash!
What a lovely transformation!Isn't it amazing how different it looks? Just darling! I love hearing how others make mistakes too, so then I can't really get on myself about them, lol.
Kady
I'm impressed as usual. I wish I had half your talent. I always wonder when you fid the time to do all you do.
Another inspirational idea for me to try. Thank You.
very cute! love the lamp!
smiles,
Sandy
Hi, Cindy~
Your lamp is so cute! You did a great job! Ruffles are adorable once they're done, but they can be so tricky! No one would ever have noticed anything amiss, though, it looks so sweet!
Amazing what a difference a little paint makes!! It's charming!
Proof again what transformation white can make!! just beautiful! I love white on everything.. I do have a question... do you know of a Book that shows how to decorate with plates??? I am going crazy looking for one, I can't seem to be able to create good placement on the wall like you do,i love how your plates look! I have a large collection of plates annd I struggle with that ...Marlene from cambria
Neat slip cover and very clever too. Great "cover-up" on the ruffle too. No one would have ever known any different.
Blessings,
Sher
Glad you had a save on your sewing mishap. It became a "happy accident" and looks great!
What a difference! I love the lampshade and wouldn't have known you had made a mistake if you hadn't pointed it out. The shade looks perfect to me and fits so well.
~elaine~
Beautiful job, Cindy! I don't know how many projects similar to this I've undertaken (had a sudden wild hair), and ended up with something awry as you did. Sometimes you end up giving up and tossing the whole damned thing. But if you stop to think, as you did, it is oftentimes salvagable with a little patience! Good advice to remember!
xoxo, Brenda
Beautiful job with the lamp. First time to your site. I just love it!
Wow - that looks so much better in white! Great transformation!
Hi Cindy! That is the sweetest little lamp!! I really dislike sewing too. I wish I had that talent, but I don't. Your solution was great! ~ xoxo ~ Joy
I love your lamp redo. I think you did a great job. My sewing skills are very, very rusty!
Your banana cake looks so delicious. I have three over ripe bananas sitting in the kitchen. I think I'm going to have to do some baking.
I just love it! Very cute :)
so cute and inspiring! I love that you used linen, my favorite fabric of the moment!
Cindy: have just discovered your blog in the last few days and am totally captivated with the beautiful sights you share with us time after time. I too am in love with white furniture and you are inspiring me to get started on transforming some mismatched pieces. Thank you so much for sharing your life and your talents with all of us. You are young enough to be my daughter but I feel like you're a friend who loves so many of the things I love.
Warmest regards from Virginia.
YOu shouldn't have said anything about the lampshade. I think it looks soooo good that way. The whole lamp is darling. You did a great job. I just found your blog and I'm loving it. Have a lovely day.
Oh I have done that before and it is SO frustrating! It looks adorable though! I love it! I have been looking for a cherub lamp for some time with no luck so far! He is beautiful!
Love your treasures from the previous post!!
-Heather :)
Hi , I just was dealing with ruffles myself, still figuring them out. lol. I just did a blog myself and was wondering if I could mention your blog on mine for "Blogs that Inspire me?" if ok. please let me know. thanks mishelle thecrownedcasa.blogspot.com
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