Do you remember this lamp I found last year at a yardsale for $5?? Well, it’s been sitting around, waiting for me to get inspired to do something with it. And finally this week, the inspiration hit and I went with it. I have no idea what the age of this lamp is, I would say probably the 50’s or 60’s? Anyone want to guess? As much as I like drum shades, this one was a little TOO large, so I knew I needed to find something a little more proportional to the lamp, something just a little smaller.
So off to the Junk Store I told you about last summer. Remember that place? It’s a treasure trove of old and dated things, but I remembered seeing lots of vintage style lampshades in there, so maybe I’d get lucky and find one. I did, this one was $2. I knew I’d recover it anyway, so I was only looking at size and something sturdy. This one had seen better days. The metal frame was half showing around the top where the old paper had given way. I ended up having to take the frame out anyway and bend it to where I needed it to be. It sat way too low down in the shade to work with my lamp.
So, I took it out, bent the arms until I had the circle sitting just where it needed to be to hit the lamp in the right spot. I wasn’t sure how this little trick would work, but I figured for $2, I wouldn’t be out much and it was worth a shot. Luckily, it worked! I ripped all the old binding seam off from the top and bottom, so I’d have a smooth shade to work with. The frame fit back in there tightly and I knew it would be fine as I added my new fabric on there. The only caution on bending a frame like this, it can start to lose it’s round shape, so I had to work with this one a little to make sure it was still round & would fit back inside the shade. 
Then I went out to Hancock Fabrics to see what inspiration would hit me. I have long been attracted to these newly inspired damask fabrics that have been out the last few years and really wanted to use one somewhere, maybe a pillow or another spot. So, this was the perfect time to go for it, a lampshade was a great place to highlight this fabric. They even had a 40% off sale when I went, so got the fabric and trim on sale. You know how I like those sales! Fabric and trim cost $12 total. This fabric is so neat, it’s a pretty oatmeal colored linen with black flocked damask pattern on it. Really perfect for covering an old lampshade, because it’s thick enough to lay smooth and hide any imperfections. Easy to work with.
Got out my 3M spray adhesive. This stuff works great. I took the shade outside and sprayed it heavily with the adhesive, so the whole shade was sticky and ready for the fabric. I only got 1/2 yard of fabric for this project and it was plenty enough to tuck under and over on the top and bottom of the shade. Remember my shade tutorial awhile back? I laid the shade down about an inch and 1/2 down from the top of the fabric. You have to allow for the shade to roll across the fabric. It will go somewhat at an angle and that’s what you want for the fabric to lay smoothly on the shade. Even though this is a drum shaped shade, there is still a curve to it when I laid it down on the fabric. So, you allow for this curve as you are rolling the shade down the fabric to have it join on the backside. This is where your fabric seam will go. You can see there is about 1 1/2 to 2″ on each end of the fabric to tuck under. I did iron the seams on both sides so that it will lay flat when glued down.
Now, I did get out my glue gun too and used it to hold down the fabric as I tucked in under on the top and bottom of the shade. It dries fast and really holds it in place. Used a little from the glue gun too on the back seams to keep them flat. 
Finally, I was ready for the trim to go on the top and bottom of the shade. This gives it a great finished look. I used my Fabri-Tac fabric glue on this. It’s also a great glue to use for a project like this.
Ta-da!! Here’s the finished lamp! I am SO proud of it. I think it looks like a million bucks now. Total cost = $19! You just can’t beat that for a trash to treasure look.
I absolutely love this fabric. It’s a perfect punch as you come in our frontdoor to draw the eye in.
Here’s the base of the lamp, crystal on a black marble base. It’s heavy and quite a substantial lamp.
Lampshade closer. 
(1st pic, without flash, 2nd with flash)
Hope y’all will be inspired to try something like this too. You never know when that next vintage find will come along. Don’t be too quick to pass it over. Think about the possibilities and what you can do to make it personalized for YOUR home!
On another note, my digital camera has decided to die on me, the flash has quit working, so I have just ordered a new Canon online. Can’t wait to get it & look forward to playing around with some new pics. It’s got a few more bells & whistles than my old one, so I should have some fun with it.
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Rhoda,
That lamp looks like something you’d pay hundreds for! Great job. Love the fabric. You are so creative!! Will you come to my home and decorate?
Francie
What an inspiration. I’d give anything to be able to go into a Hancock Fabric store again…haven’t been able to find one anywhere near here. I have two lamps that are probably forty to fifty years old, cut glass bases…ugly shades. That’s right. Ugly shades. Thank you for showing me step by step how to make them pretty~!
hugs
Sandi
Wow – transformation! I always love seeing what you do to things (thrifty finds) 🙂
Hello,
I have been lurking on your blog for a while now. I am coming to say Hi and I love your blog.
This lamp is beautiful.
Thank you for sharing
Hope
What a fabulous lamp shade. I just happen to be on lampsplus website yesterday and saw one similar going for $100. You did a great transformation for so so much less. I am truly inspired today.
Thanks,
Blanca
I have a lampshade just like that that needs a makeover. Thank you for sharing the “How To”. Come visit my spot at Chelsea. Cheers, Lena
Great transformation, Rhoda! We finally have a Hancocks, within 30 minutes from home! I love it!
Pat
I had a set of lamps with similar huge lampshades and they were from the 1970s. So maybe that will help you “date” that lamp and shade.
Betty in Oklahoma
All I can say is “WOW”! You did a marvelous job. It is beautiful 🙂 ((hugs)) Rosie
Hi Rhoda!
Bravo! It loks fantastic and just eprfect on that table. Kudos to your creativity!
♥ Abbie
Lovely lamp, Rhoda! You did a great job on recovering the old shade. I wish we had a Hancock’s close by……I loved it when we did. Thanks for all the tips on redoing a lamp shade – You are such an inspiration!
Bonnie
I am a lamp-a-holic Rhoda so I love anything lamp-related. I have an old lamp similar to the one you have pictured…hmmm, maybe I’ll get inspired to do something with it! BTW, your ribbon should be picked up today and brought to me this weekend…
Judy
Great job on the lamp. I love it.
What a great make over! You are really picking up steam now that you are at home again. I can’t keep up with all your projects!
Hugs, DebraK
OOOh pretty Rhoda!!
I like it. Thanks for the tutorial. Lampshade covering 101.
That is a useful thing. I have always wanted to try that. Now it doesn’t seem so scary.
Thanks,
Rosemary
The lamp looks fabulous! I love the fabric.
The Hancocks nearest me recently closed. I’m not sure when – I drove 40 minutes to get there last week and it was gone! The nearest one is now about 100 miles away.
xo Jill
Wow, the lamp looks beautiful with its new custom shade!
I love reading your blog and seeing all the lovely things you do.
Thanks for sharing!
Joy
Your lamp looks amazing! I love that fabric!
You are the shade wizard! Love those damasks too and it looks fabulous on the shade. Great makeover!
Manuela
Ah, great minds think alike. I’m working on a similar project like this. I love how yours turned out and the fabric is beautiful!
Fun browsing here and I’ve bookmarked you so I can visit again.