Eclectic Elements Lampshade

One of the projects I made for the Quilt Market booth was a fabric covered lampshade.  I knew I wanted to use the Eclectic Elements - Melange fabric since it has both ephemera and butterflies, some of my favorite things.
I purchased a small lamp and separate shade from Walmart.  The shade looked pretty straight forward as far as lampshades go.  I have made lampshades before and one thing to remember is that if you pick a round shade, your fabric will have to "roll" around the shade.  Great if your fabric is a floral, but if the fabric has any sort of straight line in the pattern, the "line" could end up heading the wrong way.  I guess that's my way of saying be mindful of not only the shape of shade but of the fabric print as well.

I started by peeling off the fabric tape around both the top and bottom edges.  I decided to leave the tan fabric in place since the creme lining had been wrapped from underneath and onto the outside.

Once the fabric strips were removed, I used a piece of canvas to create a pattern the shape of one side of the shade.  Don't worry, it doesn't have to be perfect.

Once I had my pattern cut out, I pinned it to two layers of fabric.  You will need a total of 4 pieces so cut out one more time.  As you can see, I cut the sides about a 1/2" wider than my pattern to allow for the seams.

Now over to the machine!  With right sides together, stitch all 4 pieces together.  It kinda looks like a little skirt.

Now back to the work table...pull the "skirt" down over the shade and line up your seams.

I used a small, low temp glue gun to adhere the raw edges of fabric to the shade.  Work in very small sections (about 2 - 3" at a time).  A fabric strip will eventually cover the raw edge so don't worry about turning it under.
Little by little I worked my way around the bottom of the shade then moved on to the top.

You will need bias strips to go around the shade to cover the raw edges.  If you are not familiar with bias tape, it is a strip of fabric cut cross-grain so that it has a bit of stretch (just what you need to go around corners or circles).   I used my clear quilting ruler, self healing mat board and rotary cutter to cut the bias strips.  Okay, I use this same set up to cut every piece of paper that crosses my desk.  I admit it, am paper trimmer impaired.
The cutting mat has a bias line right on the board.  I placed a square piece of Dictionary fabric on the board, then lined up the ruler with the yellow diagonal line and cut.  NOTE: The strips have already been cut away from the piece below.
If you want to know more about making your own bias tape there is a very in depth tutorial on Made.
...and if you are not a sewer you can always buy bias tape at any fabric store and skip this step.

Here are my cut strips.

I took the strips to the ironing board and ironed each raw edge toward the center to make about a 1/2" strip.  It doesn't have to be perfect, just do your best (remember, were making a lamp shade not splitting an atom).
The bottom strip is the back side, the top strip is the front.

Now just glue the strip to the shade using the hot glue gun.  I suppose you could use fabric tack, I just like the speed of the glue gun.

When you come to the end, just fold the strip back on itself and add a bit more glue.

That's it.
Super simple (don't let the bias tape part scare you!)
Seriously, how cute is that lamp with the Melange fabric on it?  I admit I was kinda sad when I had to pack it up only a few hours after I made it, to send to the show.

(that's my dad in the Navy uniform, circa 1944)

Now here is the good news!  

I am giving away fabric samples I brought home from Quilt Market!

I have 3 sets of 3 different fabrics so leave me a comment to win.

I will post the 3 winning names on Monday morning (May 27th).

UPDATE

As promised, the names of the fabric winners were posted (here) on Monday the 27th.

Here are the 3 winners of the fabric:

Barbara Mason: My lampshades are all a quiver cause I have been looking at them and they know something is up!! Great post, giveaway and instructions....

DDWilson: Paula, your tutorials are wonderful! Samples, oh my....just what I was thinking about.....I bet that the fabric is a long time in getting to rural Montana!
Here's hoping, would love to play around with them

Susi in Italy

Susibi
How fantastic did that lampshade turned out .. and hurray for glue guns! These fabrics are fantastic so if a little bundle by chance made its way to Italy I would be more than pleased. 

Lucky girls, please be sure to contact me at paula@2gypsygirls.com with your name and shipping information so I can get the fabric samples out to you asap.