Making a custom DIY fabric sconce lamp shade is a great way to add a personal touch to your home. Whether you want to update an old sconce light or create something totally new, this project lets you choose the fabric, colors, and patterns that fit your style.
In this blog post, I’ll show you how to make a unique fabric sconce lampshade step-by-step. It’s a fun and easy project that will give your room a fresh look.
Is this Tutorial for Sconces or Lampshades?
Both! You can use this technique on sconce shades or a traditional lampshade frame. While there are many different methods, I’m biased to this one because it’s great for beginner DIYers like myself.
If you’ve seen the popular pleated lampshade tutorial going around and are also intimidated to give it a try like me, this is a better option. It’s so easy and there’s no sewing machine required. Let’s get started making your own fabric lampshade!
Why Make a DIY Fabric Sconce or Lampshade?
For me, I was tired of looking at my boring white sconces. I didn’t want to spend a fortune on new ones and quite frankly, couldn’t find any that had the “pop” I was looking for. Plus, these were the perfect size and if I could just improve the look of them instead of buying new ones, I was all in!
Plus, making my own DIY sconces turned out to be a rewarding project for several reasons. First, it was a fun and creative way to spend a bit of time relaxing without the kids. Even though it’s a fast project, it gave me just the break I needed and I had a ton of fun crafting. It’s also an inexpensive project, especially if you use materials you already have or can find at a low cost.
The best part, though? A DIY sconce is completely customizable—it’s the perfect way to choose the exact fabric, colors, and patterns to match your decor perfectly. This means you end up with a one-of-a-kind piece that reflects your personal style and adds a special touch to your space. If you’re having trouble finding the perfect lampshade or sconce for your space like I was, making your own is an awesome route to go.
What Materials Do I Need?
You’ll be so surprised to learn that you actually don’t need very many supplies! Assuming you already have a plain lampshade or old lampshade sconces you want to redo, you just need to purchase the fabric of your choosing. (As long as you already have fabric glue, scissors, and some clips at home – which I bet you do!)
- Sconces (if you don’t have one already, thrift stores are great places to look!)
- Fabric that fits your style (amount of fabric will depend on your lamp size)
- Fabric glue
- Scissors
- Old Paint Brush for the Glue
- Clips to hold fabric
What Type of Fabric Should I Use?
Cotton fabrics seem to be the easiest to work with. But, you are certainly free to use the fabric of your choice. Just remember that we need it to lay flatly on the waves on the sconce so super thick fabrics might be more difficult. In addition, try to select a thin or sheer fabric. This is because it is going on a light, after all. We want to be able to see the light reflecting through it!
Wondering about the width of the fabric? I purchased 2 fat quarters of fabric in cotton rayon spandex from Spoonflower. You really don’t need much fabric. You’ll need enough fabric to cover your lamp and to fold at least halfway up the bottom of the shade. The blue and white combo on the pattern I went with matches my entryway decor perfectly!
How to Make Your DIY Sconce or Lampshade
Here’s everything you need to know about making your own fabric sconce or lampshade. This unique lampshade will go perfectly in the living room, bedroom, entryway, and beyond! It’s a great project for all levels of DIY experiences.
1. Measure and Cut Fabric
The first step is to fold the fabric in a hotdog shape to measure and cut based on the width of the sconce leaving some room to be able to fold over. Scroll back up to the very first photo in this blog post and note how you can see some of the pattern on the back side of the sconce. At certain angles, you’ll be able to see the back side of the shade so it’s important to have excess fabric that you can fold over to cover that.
Of course, you can skip this step but the back side of your sconce or lamp will be plain compared to having the entire thing covered in your gorgeous new print.
2. Iron the Fabric
Using the piece of fabric you’ve cut, use an ironing board or flat surface and iron it until all wrinkles disappear. You might be tempted to skip this step, but it makes such a big difference in the final product. Take the extra minute or two to ensure your lamp will look flawless once it’s installed back on the wall!
You may choose to do this before you cut the fabric. That is fine, just note you’ll be ironing more fabric and it will take longer. My tip is to wait so you’re only ironing what will actually be going on the lamp.
3. Apply Glue to Sconce or Lampshade
It’s time to start assembling your new light and transform those plain white shades into something gorgeous.
The next step is to use an old paint brush to apply the fabric glue all over the sconce. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but apply enough that none of the fabric will start lifting up or pulling off. Don’t be afraid of a little glue. We want this to last for years!
4. Apply Fabric
Start from one end vertically and press the strip of fabric down carefully. A good starting point is to try and position the fabric in the center so you have an overhang both on the bottom of your shade and on the top of the shade.
It’s a good idea depending on the size of your shade to use clips to hold things down as you go. I held the corners together with metal clips but I would recommend using plastic clips and not metal like I have in the photo!
5. Fold the Excess Fabric
Fold the fabric horizontally and cut around the wires. It doesn’t have to be absolutely perfect on the backside since most of it will be hidden, but at certain angles you will be able to see the bottom of the lampshade.
Now is your chance to look things over and see if there’s anywhere you want to smooth over, fix etc. before we hang up our finished project! Check the bottom edge and the top of the lampshade for any bumps or lumps. Don’t forget, this is your own lampshade so customize it how you want to and don’t be afraid to adapt these steps to fit your own needs or wants.
6. Display Your New Light Fixture
Place your lamp on a table or console or hang your sconces back on the walls! Show off your gorgeous new custom lampshade cover. Doesn’t this instantly improve the interior design of my entryway?
Final Thoughts
Making a custom DIY fabric sconce lampshade is a fun and easy project. It’s a great way to save money while adding a personal touch to your home. You get to choose the fabric and design that fit your style perfectly. Follow the simple steps in this blog post, and you’ll have a unique and beautiful DIY lampshade in no time. Enjoy crafting your one-of-a-kind sconce!
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