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April 8, 2015 by: Ashley Greenwood

DIY Lamp Shade with a Sweater

Remember when I told you that I am letting Honey think that our Southern Gentleman’s Home Office Update is all about him?

Goodness knows he probably thinks it is since his most loved Rufus {the deer head} is hanging and I gathered a collection of his prized flasks on the bookcase but we all know who all this hard work is really for: Little Ole’ Me!

So I just had to add a little touch of femininity to the space with this fabulous DIY Lamp Shade with a Sweater to my desk area! Keep reading and I will tell you all about how this thrift store find totally updated an ugly lamp. This post may contain affiliate links marked with an asterisk. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

INSTANT Lamp Shade Update! You won't believe what thrift store item was used to transform this plain jane lamp shade! DIY Lamp Shade with a Sweater by 3 Little Greenwoods #DIYLampShade #ThirftyHomeDecor #LampUpcycle

DIY Lamp Shade with a Sweater: Materials Needed

  • Small Lamp Shade
  • Old Sweater
  • Round Chiffon Flower Trim*
  • Hot Glue Gun and Gun
  • Scissors

INSTANT Lamp Shade Update! You won't believe what thrift store item was used to transform this plain jane lamp shade! DIY Lamp Shade with a Sweater by 3 Little Greenwoods #DIYLampShade #ThirftyHomeDecor #LampUpcycle

DIY Lamp Shade with Sweater: Instructions

Before you begin double check to make sure the sweater you have chosen will wrap around the lamp shade in one piece. No one wants to cut apart a perfectly good sweater only to discover it is too small. My thrift store sweater was an XL.

Using sharp scissors cut off the top section of the sweater right below the arms. Make another cut straight up one side seam. This will give you a large piece of fabric to cover the lamp shade.

Lay the lamp shade on the fabric and begin to glue it in place by carefully running a bead of hot glue on the bottom of the frame then fold over the hem to create a finished seam.  Do the same at the top of the lampshade.

Need more in depth instructions on covering a lampshade? Click here to follow this tutorial. 

INSTANT Lamp Shade Update! You won't believe what thrift store item was used to transform this plain jane lamp shade! DIY Lamp Shade with a Sweater by 3 Little Greenwoods #DIYLampShade #ThirftyHomeDecor #LampUpcycle

Even though our Southern Gentleman’s Home Office is definitely on the manly side this little lamp needed some sweetness. After all it is going on my desk in the room.

A few rows of pretty yellow chiffon roses around the bottom of the lampshade is the perfect feminine touch. The flower ribbon I used is similar to this Round Chiffon Flower Trim*.

INSTANT Lamp Shade Update! You won't believe what thrift store item was used to transform this plain jane lamp shade! DIY Lamp Shade with a Sweater by 3 Little Greenwoods #DIYLampShade #ThirftyHomeDecor #LampUpcycle

INSTANT Lamp Shade Update! You won't believe what thrift store item was used to transform this plain jane lamp shade! DIY Lamp Shade with a Sweater by 3 Little Greenwoods #DIYLampShade #ThirftyHomeDecor #LampUpcycle

Oh! I almost forgot to tell you about the paint job the base of the lamp got. It was once a lovely burgundy and gold combo. Straight from the 90’s!

INSTANT Lamp Shade Update! You won't believe what thrift store item was used to transform this plain jane lamp shade! DIY Lamp Shade with a Sweater by 3 Little Greenwoods #DIYLampShade #ThirftyHomeDecor #LampUpcycle

Thanks to my favorite Brass Metallic Spray Paint from Krylon* this lamp is a lovely shade of brass. The Krylon spray paint covered the lamp base wonderfully and gave me the smooth satin finish I was looking for. Plus there were NO drips!

INSTANT Lamp Shade Update! You won't believe what thrift store item was used to transform this plain jane lamp shade! DIY Lamp Shade with a Sweater by 3 Little Greenwoods #DIYLampShade #ThirftyHomeDecor #LampUpcycle

It is the same paint that transformed a cheapy plastic pineapple into a fabulous accessory for the Home Office. Click here to see the DIY Brass Pineapple project!

INSTANT Lamp Shade Update! You won't believe what thrift store item was used to transform this plain jane lamp shade! DIY Lamp Shade with a Sweater by 3 Little Greenwoods #DIYLampShade #ThirftyHomeDecor #LampUpcycle

INSTANT Lamp Shade Update! You won't believe what thrift store item was used to transform this plain jane lamp shade! DIY Lamp Shade with a Sweater by 3 Little Greenwoods #DIYLampShade #ThirftyHomeDecor #LampUpcycle

Such a pretty little lamp for my desk area! I love the color and that it is a DIY lamp shade from a castoff sweater.

Because I had many of the supplies on hand this entire project cost less than $5!

AMAZING tutorial for inexpensive, no-sew curtains! DIY Window Curtains for Our Home Office  by 3 Little Greenwoods #DIYWindowCurtains #WaysToSave #DIY Curtains

If you love this DIY Lamp Shade with a Sweater tutorial then you must see how I upcycled these 40 year old lamps. You won’t believe what I did to these lamp shades!

AMAZING Tutorial on How to Upcycle a Lamp for your #homedecor by 3 Little Greenwoods #DIYlamp #DIYlampshade

Fabulous window treatments don’t have to cost a fortune! Click here to see how I made my own DIY Window Curtains for our Home Office.

AMAZING tutorial for inexpensive, no-sew curtains! DIY Window Curtains for Our Home Office by 3 Little Greenwoods #DIYWindowCurtains #WaysToSave #DIY Curtains

Want to catch up on all of the Southern Gentleman’s Home Office Update? Here’s links to all the DIY home decor…

How To Make No-Sew Curtains
DIY Curtain Rods & Finials
Navy Lamp Upcycle
Easy Vintage Wood Bookcase
DIY Sweater Lamp Shade
DIY Brass Pineapple
Most Confused Room in Our Home
Thrifty Office Artwork
DIY Leather Footstool
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Your comments totally make my day! 

They give me huge motivation to keep creating and having fun with my 3 Little Greenwoods! 

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Full Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links and/or is a sponsored post. I may receive compensation in the form of monetary compensation or product compensation in exchange for my review. I take pride in reviewing only products that fit my brand and will be beneficial to my readers. And while this post is sponsored or contains affiliate links, all the opinions are my own. Why do I do this? It will help me keep this DIY’ing Mama crafting for another day! For more on my disclosure policy click here.

More from my site

  • Thrifty Thursday: Home Office ArtThrifty Thursday: Home Office Art
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  • DIY Wall Art with a DIY Paint by Numbers TechniqueDIY Wall Art with a DIY Paint by Numbers Technique
  • How to Make a Spring Wreath in Ten Minutes!How to Make a Spring Wreath in Ten Minutes!
  • A Southern Gentleman’s Home Office ~ Home Office Decorating IdeasA Southern Gentleman’s Home Office ~ Home Office Decorating Ideas
  • Cheapest DIY Curtain Rods Ever {Finials too}!Cheapest DIY Curtain Rods Ever {Finials too}!
Rustic Branch Basket Table Arrangement
Tips for Spring Mantel Decor

Comments

  1. 1

    Lindsay Eidahl says

    April 8, 2015 at 9:01 am

    I love this Ashley! I just picked up a HUGE bulletin board and thinking about ways to spruce it up.

    Reply
  2. 2

    Jill Flory says

    April 8, 2015 at 9:25 am

    Lovely! I love how beautiful old outdated lamps can be when you paint them and add some bling! Great job!

    Reply
    • 3

      3littlegreenwoods says

      April 10, 2015 at 2:58 pm

      I never get rid of lamps! You never know when you are going to need them. 😉

      Reply
  3. 4

    heather says

    April 8, 2015 at 2:28 pm

    Can I just say I love that your deer head is named Rufus?

    Reply
  4. 5

    Dedra Tiger says

    April 8, 2015 at 2:45 pm

    Loved the ugly lamp transformation ideas as we have several candidates lying around. Also wondered how well the Krylon Metallic paint covered. Very well, thanks to your article.

    Reply
    • 6

      3littlegreenwoods says

      April 10, 2015 at 2:58 pm

      The paint is wonderful! I love that it covers to evenly without any drips!

      Reply
  5. 7

    Jen @ Fresh Crush says

    April 8, 2015 at 2:52 pm

    You. Are. Brilliant! Excuse me, while I go cut up an old sweater!

    Reply
  6. 8

    Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life says

    April 9, 2015 at 1:45 pm

    LOVE this idea…I’m going to have to try it!! I’ve got plenty of old sweaters I could recycle. 🙂 My husband just started a beer bottle collection…I guess I should be happy it’s not worse…but now I know where my son gets it from…I discovered a soda can collection in his room. Seriously, guys?! If you have a free moment, I would love for you to join us at #FoodieFriDIY tonight…we go live at 9 pm. 🙂

    Reply
  7. 9

    Kendra @ www.joyinourhome.com says

    April 9, 2015 at 7:24 pm

    Oh my Ashley! This is amazing! I’d never have thought that was a sweater! And the flowers look perfect! Amazing job, girl!

    Reply
    • 10

      3littlegreenwoods says

      April 10, 2015 at 2:56 pm

      I love the little flowers the most! The add just enough girliness to the home office!

      Reply
  8. 11

    Angela, blue i style says

    April 16, 2015 at 4:58 am

    What a great idea, and I love the way it turned out! Thanks for sharing at The Creative Circle!

    Reply

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