Can I use fabric on a lamp shade
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Fennville, Michigan
Posts: 138
Can I use fabric on a lamp shade
I got a beautiful older lamp with a picture of a male and female mallard ducks. The shade however, has shown its years. I has some quilt fabric with some mallard ducks on it which I think would go great for covering the lamp shade. I am thinking about using some kind of quilt block design to make for the fabric shade cover.
#2
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Location: NY
Posts: 10,590
I have a lamp shade that is fabric covered. I didn't make it though so I can't offer any advice as to how to go about doing it. One thing is it is kind of a pain to clean. Dust and cat hair stick to it like crazy but if I brush it down with a damp wash cloth that takes care of it fairly quickly. The fabric definitely appears to be adhered to the entire surface of the shade. I am thinking something like a spray adhesive would work quite well to get good adhesive coverage without any streaks of adhesive showing when the lamp is turned on.
#4
I'm wondering if fabric would make them too dark when you turn it on? That would be my only reservation.
I have 2 lamps I've had for years and the shades needed to be replaced. The new shades threw so much more light. I was pleased.
I have 2 lamps I've had for years and the shades needed to be replaced. The new shades threw so much more light. I was pleased.
#6
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 1,398
I got a beautiful older lamp with a picture of a male and female mallard ducks. The shade however, has shown its years. I has some quilt fabric with some mallard ducks on it which I think would go great for covering the lamp shade. I am thinking about using some kind of quilt block design to make for the fabric shade cover.
#7
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 9,710
I have an antique lamp that my mother had. She covered the frame for the shade with cotton fabric and it's been there for years. Many older lamps had silk shades. If the shade is large enough that the bulb isn't close to it, there should be no problem.
#10
I recovered two with fabric. Do check the weave of the fabric to make sure you do get light through it and make sure you give yourself enough "play" room with the fabric. I used glue to hem the top and bottom and secured it with clothes pins while it was drying. It was fiddly, but well worth it. Have fun!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
profannie
Main
22
01-08-2019 02:25 PM
borntoquilt
Main
9
08-21-2010 10:10 AM