Do you remember these lamps?
They were thrift store purchases a few months ago. I loved the shape of the base and I loved the shape of the shade. I knew I had to hav them, although I had no idea where I would put them or how I would transform them, but I had to have them!
So I bought them and they sat in my garage for a couple months. Then, one day, it hit me! I knew exactly what I wanted to do with them. So I started searching Pinterest looking for some examples of what I had in mind. Three hours later, I made a decision. If you’ve been on Pinterest, you know what I’m talking about.
So here is what I decided. I would spray paint the brass bases to match the other metals in the room {aged copper meets oil-rubbed bronze}. If you are painting brass, be sure to use primer first! Then, I would cover the shade with ruffled burlap. I cut the burlap into strips and was ready to go.
Who the {bleep} knew that ruffling burlap would be so difficult?!!
After reading several tutorials for how to ruffle fabric, I decided to go with the easiest. I turned my machine setting to the longest and loosest stitch settings.
From what I read, these settings were supposed to ruffle the fabric for me. I went to town with my sewing machine and burlap, sewing a straight line down the center, eager to see some ruffles!
Humph? Not exactly what I had expected. So, I tried to pull one of the threads {an idea I had read from a different ruffling tute}, but it broke. What the heck?!
Okay, I’ll try this other method I saw.
As I sewed I folded pleats in the fabric. This was a pain and I was so scared that my finger would get poked.
And it still didn’t turn out the way I wanted it. I tried to pull the thread again, but again, it broke. By now I was getting frustrated. When I get an idea and can’t execute it I get upset. Pissed off, actually. But that anger provokes determination.
Finally, in all that frustration, I had an ah-ha moment.
I had some extra strong thread that I had bought to use for my dining room drapes. Maybe it could withstand the tugging. So I started over, sewing straight up the middle with the stronger thread, the machine set as shown above.
When I had sewn the entire length, I gave one string a tug.
Hallelujah! It worked!
I pulled the one string hard but carefully until the strip was ruffled just the way I wanted it.
Lesson learned: When ruffling heavy fabric like burlap, be sure to use strong thread!
Originally I thought I would cover the entire shade with the strips of ruffled burlap like this one from Dear Lillie. . .
but I changed my mind after I glued the top and bottom pieces on the shade. I decided I liked it just like that {and I was really tired of ruffling}.
I put one on a side table. . .
and the other on my sewing table. Let there be light! Up until now, I’ve been working only during the day because I had no lights in the room!
Speaking of lighting, check out this lamp I found on clearance for my work table/desk area!
Isn’t it so very Pottery Barnish? I’ve been searching for a desk lamp for months. I knew exactly what I wanted {it was from PB but much too expensive for me}. This one I found at Homegoods on clearance because it had a couple of bolts missing on the neck. Hubby secured the screws and it’s good as new! And it was only $25 people!
Are you noticing that my craft room is coming together? I think I’m just about ready to show you the entire room. I have everything organized and put away. The only reason I’m holding out on the reveal is because I have not finished the curtains and many of the walls are still bare. Soon, I promise!
Cool! I think it turned out adorable. I saw a similar lamp at my local thrift store for $8 today…maybe I'll go back and get it.
♥Linsey
http://farmhouseporch.blogspot.com/
I'm glad you stuck with it cause it looks amazing! xo
I love the ruffled burlap, and it looks super cute only on the top and bottom! I had a major lampshade frustration a few weeks ago, so I know how you feel! Yours turned out WAY better than mine!
Yay! Looks so cute. Glad you stuck with it and found the right thread.
That may have been the project from hell but they turned out awesome!
http://akmdesignandelights.blogspot.com
It's gorgeous! I love Dear Lillie's too. Wonderful idea!
Its adorable, Jen! I would be delighted if your would link up one of your posts to Potpourri Friday!
Good choice! I love the two simple ruffles! Great Job
Amazing! I think I'm in love!
I like it a lot…. maybe not what you planned to do, but PRETTY!
~ Meredith From A Mother Seeking Come find me on my blog, A Mother Seeking…
It is super cute…while I like burlap, I do not always like working with it – it is a tough one…but you triumphed!