How to Make a Vintage Lamp

Purchase a lampshade that is flat and free from any textured designs. Opt for white or off-white whenever possible. You can find a wide variety of lampshades at many thrift stores, but for a plain and simple blank canvas to work with, pick up a shade at your local craft or fabric store.

Spread newspaper or butcher paper onto a flat, hard surface like a craft table or hardwood floor. Roll the lampshade across the newspaper, tracing a line with pen or pencil as you go. Do this by placing the shade's seam face down and rolling to the left until the seam faces upward. Repeat to the right. Your end result should be a sketched arch the width of the shade.

Add 1-inch clearance to all sides of the shade tracing, which will later serve as a hem and overlap for the final shade. Cut out the pattern you have now created on the newspaper and pin it to a piece of vintage-style fabric. Flowers, polka-dots, pastel stripes and gingham all make excellent vintage fabrics. If you are unclear what will look good, bring a sample of colors already surrounding the area where the lamp will be placed and ask a sales associate at the fabric store to show you “shabby chic” or “vintage” print fabric that matches.

Cover the entire outside of the lampshade with spray adhesive, or apply glue with a brush. Smooth the fabric (which should be cut out to match your pattern) over the shade, starting at the seam. Flatten as you go to avoid any bubbles or wrinkles. Fold over the top and bottom of the fabric (there should be approximately 1/2 inch on both ends) and tuck inside the shade. Secure with a strong glue to create a “hem” on both ends.

Add tassels, buttons, sequins, faux jewels and anything else you can dream up to complete the vintage look on the shade. Purchase an off-white or pastel colored lamp from a thrift store. Try to find one that is curved in shape or has some sort of etching on it. Attach your new shade to this lamp, and your vintage shade is complete. Remember, you may also paint or add fabric to the lamp base if you do not find what you are looking for in stores.