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Easy Doily Lampshade Tutorial

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A few weeks ago I was given an old lampshade. I immediately went on pinterest for ideas and I saw a gorgeous lampshade covered in doilies.

vintage doily covered lampshade

I’m pretty sure the first word out of my mouth were “Wow! That’s gorgeous! I’m totally not doing that” Odd combo right? I do love it, I’m just not sure where a vintage doily covered lampshade was going to fit my house.

Then I ended up with some unexpected free time when my parrot decided he wanted a vacation. And flew out the door, I did end up getting him back by the way.

Anyway thanks to that free time and a pile of doilies I decided to try my hand at a doily covered lampshade. I also did it all on my back deck so that’s why the pictures are all shown on an aged wooden surface.

Doily Covered Lamp Shade Supplies

How to Make a Doily Covered Lampshade

For the record this  is almost the exact opposite of the way the inspiration tutorial did it. To be honest her way was probably easier, but I like the layered look I got with my method

1. Remove the old lampshade, mine sort of crumbled off because it was ancient and completely dry rotted.

 
2. Pick a spot and start randomly clothes pinning doilies on. Start with one large doily or piece of lace and clothes pin than on and then add other pieces. It’s basically a giant puzzle.

I used vintage doilies so there was quite a variation in sizes and colors, I tried to keep some contrast by mixing it up. My other goal was to avoid cutting anything, I wasn’t sure if they would straight up unravel.

3. When your happy with your placement it’s time to start stitching them down. I started by tying knots around the ‘braces’ and stitching the doilies to the top part of the frame.

I worked my way around in sections. It’s a bit tricky to keep the tension right. You want the doilies taught but not squished. Use thread that blends in with the doilies and then you don’t have to worry about trying to hide the stitches.

I’ll be honest, this took quite a while. At least 5 hours split over two days. If you aren’t such a perfectionist you should be better off.

I’m still in love with the final product 4 years later. I ended up putting in my bedroom where it does absolutely nothing to shade the lamp but does create beautiful shadows on the wall.

My bedroom is always in a state of disrepair but I really think this is the year I get my shit together and that means in my bedroom too. The lampshade is staying but I’m on the lookout for a new base.

Functionally there is nothing wrong with the brown base, and it was only $2 at a garage sale, but I’m not crazy about the shape.

As for the parrot? This is how I ended up luring him home. I was going to pull on the red string to close the door when he went into the cage. He landed on my head instead.

Check out my Sewing page for more DIY Home Dec projects or start here:

grey fur and red plaid flannel blanket sitting on a rocking chair with a crocheted pillow coverDIY Burlap Curtains

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Comments

  1. RaNaeLuvsEwes says

    Ohh my gosh Alecia that is so beautiful yours turned out gorgeous I love the different colors of the doilies I would love to see a picture of it in your home So Glad your parrot came back… had a clipped budgie fly out the door and catch a wind one time dh chased him into the next complex and scooped him up Gotta love our birdies.
    RaNae

  4. Angie says

    Just gorgeous! I’ve been thinking about doing this on an empty drum shade I have, so your instructions will help a lot!

    Thanks for sharing it at the Knick of Time Tuesday party – I’ll be featuring you next week and there will be an “I Was Featured” button waiting there for you!

    Blessings,
    Angie @ Knick of Time

  5. Mitra Pratt says

    THAT my dear is a winner project right there. I love that. I have seen chicken wire recently, but doilies are a sweet and soft version. Great project!

  6. Shannon @ Cozy Home Scenes says

    Your lampshade is so pretty….and I like it better than the original. What drew me to yours was what you said took the most time. The different colors and patterns of yours was really eye catching. Thanks for sharing how to make one of these pretty lampshades.

  9. Ashley Jackson says

    What a gorgeous idea, I love it! It looks so different and beautiful, just up my ally! Stoppin in from the Tatertots and Jello, hope you have a great long weekend!

  11. Jill says

    That is beautiful! I love it! Thanks for sharing at the Pomp Party! Pinning to our Pomp Party board!

    Jill @ Create.Craft.Love.

  16. Connie says

    Hi Alecia: I’m a new GFC friend. I would love if you stop by http://hotflashncraftn.blogspot.com/ and be mine too. I love the lamp shade. I was confused about the parrot, though. I had one land on me at a golf course construction site, scared the heck out of me. After 2 weeks of caring for him I located the owner. Thanks for sharing your project, it turn out nice.

  17. Mandy says

    Alecia, thanks so much for sharing this at Project Queen’s Party last week. I’ll be featuring it tomorrow at the Highlight Party. I love it. You did a beautiful job.

  19. Jody and Stan says

    What a beautiful project. I love how you did the layering look, it’s very vintage. Thanks so much for sharing this awesome lamp shade on Simple & Sweet Fridays!

    Jody

  20. Terry says

    Love the doily lampshade so much! So vintagey looking and beautiful! This will be one of my top picks for the week at Sunday Blog Love, thanks for sharing this….glad your parrot is back at home!

  24. SewLindaAnn says

    FAb! You just saved me the time of looking for ideas, it’s perfect. I’m going to do my two little lamps in my kitchen and one in my sewing room. Loving the vintagey look.

  26. LORA S. says

    LORA S. ~ [email protected]
    HI, I FOUND YOU THRU KNICK OF TIME …
    I TRULY LOVE <3 YOUR LAMP SHADE... EVERYTHING ABOUT IT IS SO PERFECT! YOUR WORK & YOUR IDEAS ARE TRULY BEAUTIFUL!!! IT'S SOMETHING I'VE ALWAYS WANTED :-). BUT NEVER HAVE I SEEN ONE AS LOVELY AS YOURS! THANKS FOR SHARING THIS!!! OMG IF YOU DECIDE YOU WANT TO SELL IT PLEASE KEEP ME IN MIND!
    LOL… BIG HINT~ ~ ~ MY BIRTHDAY IS IN JUNE… I WOULD BUY THIS FOR MY SELF & IT WOULD BE A BIRTHDAY GIFT FROM MY GIRL (DOG) …

    HOPE YOUR BIRD IS OK!
    I WILL BE A NEW FOLLOWER !

    WARMEST BLESSINGS!
    LORA S.

  27. Crystal says

    love the ides. just what I needed for my memaw’s old lamp shade. love your sense of humor. thanks for the smile

  28. Helen @ Blue Eyed Beauty Blog says

    This is GORGEOUS!!! I’m pinning it because I’d totally make this! I have doily’s and one of my lamps needs a makeover so this just might be it! 🙂

    Helen
    Blue Eyed Beauty Blog
    Exercise Encouragement GROUP Blog

  29. Monique Riese says

    Hi there, looks great! Have and easier way to put the doilies together (with your permission) Measure height and length (around the lampshade) lay the doilies on a flat surface and Modge podge edges etc together until in will cover the lampshade. Wait until dry then sew together on you sewing machine. Once done, put it around the the lamp’s skeleton and sew overlapping ends together then sew top and bottom ends around the lamp. ???? hope it is clear?

    • Alecia says

      I don’t see why you couldn’t try that, I’m just not sure how well the mod podge would hold up. My lampshade was curved in the middle so it wouldn’t have worked for me though. I was happy with the way mine turned out so if I did it again I’d probably do it the same way.

  30. sally says

    try iron on adhesive next time. it comes in sheets and u cut to whatever shape u want. it will also add a little stiffness for shape . then sew on frame .

    • Alecia says

      I’m not sure what you mean, the doilys weren’t attached to any backing fabric and the way they were sewn together held the shape

  31. Carol Christian says

    Beautiful job. Get some spray paint. Paint your base. That beautiful shade deserves
    A lovely base to help it shine. I love the base, lovely slender length like a lady.

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