How to Make String Shades

Cut the old shade cover from the wire form if you are recovering and old lampshade. Measure a piece of white fabric over the wire lampshade form. For best results, use a sheer or thin fabric to allow as much light as possible to pass through the fabric.

Trim the white fabric to the length you need. Fold the fabric over the top wire and glue it into place to cover the wire shade form. Fold the fabric over the bottom wire and glue until the entire fabric under layer is secured into place. Allow the glue to dry.

Run a measuring tape from the top of the shade form to the bottom to find the length of strings needed. Add 1 inch to the form measurement to allow for overlap and cut all embroidery floss to this length.

Separate your embroidery floss into single strands. Place a 1-inch line of glue along the top and bottom of the shade. Wait a couple of minutes until the glue is tacky.

Glue the floss strands onto the shade running vertically. Fold the floss over the top and bottom wires and secure with the line of glue on the back side. Place each strand of floss directly beside the previous one, but do not overlap the strands.

Continue working around the shade until the entire shade has been covered with floss, adding more glue to the back of the shade as you go. Allow to dry completely before placing the shade onto a lamp.