Hot on the heels of its arrival, and also on the heels of a post I did on my personal blog this weekend, I whisked down to my sewing machine and started on this VERY SIMPLE project. Half way through, I thought "Hey, I should take pics". So I did! Now you can follow along on this project that took less than 30 minutes to make (including picture taking time) and will add interest and pleasure to my living room for months to come. (I say months because this is such an easy project, I can see oneself swapping out shades quite frequently.)
You'll need a GRÖNÖ lamp from IKEA. I am using the big one that comes in a 2pc set. Same directions hold for the smaller lamps which are sold individually.
1. Measure the height of the lamp and add 1.5". Then measure the circumference of the lamp and add 2"- I give enough seam allowance to be able to pin the seam later. The finished shade will measure 1/2" shorter than the height to clear the cord at the bottom of the lamp.
2. Press over top and bottom edges 1" for a hem. Then fold the 1" hem in half again to conceal the raw edges. Topstitch 3/8" from edge on right side of fabric. Do this on the top and bottom. Make sure you are catching the hem in the back. Press.
3. Wrap the fabric around the lamp wrong side out. In a corner, pin the fabric SNUGGLY against the lamp. This shade needs to fit tightly. Over time, the fabric will loosen and sag if it does not fit well. You just want to make it so as you pin you are right up against the glass. Mark sewing line if you wish. Sew along this line.
5. From the wrong side of fabric, press the hem over so that the clean side is facing you. Then turn the sleeve inside out and press the hem flat.
6. Slip the sleeve over the lamp- it's a project that may go smoother with an extra set of hands, but it's not necessary. Align the seam in the back corner and make sure your hem is laying flat and neat within.
7. Make sure your sleeve clears the cord.
That's it. Plug her in!
PS- Almost ironically, Heather has no IKEA in her country and it's only fitting I share her tea towel outlining her desires.
Cute project!
ReplyDeleteGreat lamp.
ReplyDeleteOhhhh I love this so much!! And you picked the perfect print for the project.
ReplyDeleteit's wonderful! love it and want to make one too!
ReplyDeleteYES! Excuse my shouting but I have been looking for a way to spruce up my Grönö, thinking of semitransparent paper but not finding anything I liked. Why didn't I think of fabric? Thank you, I will try this right away.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for the tut. This is a great idea.
ReplyDeleteSuch a brilliant idea! (Hey, I made a pun!)
ReplyDeleteAnyway, in step one, shouldn't it say 'circumference' instead of 'diameter'?
Coyote - yuuuuup! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure! Glad to help :-)
ReplyDeleteThis is an absolutely perfect idea for our home! We have four of these lamps and I love them. But I have been wondering if I couldn't do something to make them work better with the rest of our lighting.
ReplyDeleteGreat fabric, and thanks for sharing the project. I will be attacking my own lampshades in the near future... :)
ReplyDelete