In my own linen closet I have a stack of heirloom pillowcases that have been embroidered by my relatives. Needlework was a passion in my family and I have pieces from my Mother, Grandmother and Great Aunt. The only problem is: I don't really want my husband drooling away on them each night! So in the closet they stay — or maybe not— with this fun idea to turn them into lampshade slipcovers!
Annalea is always full of fun ideas, but this morning when I ran across her tutorial for slip covering a lampshade I about fell out of my chair I was so excited. Now granted, I am easily amused, but since I have this small pile of linens that I'd love to get some use out of but have been too afraid, her idea was perfect (and secretly I hated her for thinking of it before me!).
With the help of a sewing machine and a bit of ribbon, the end result looks polished and gives a heartwarming glow each time the lamp is turned on. In a world where granny-chic is back in full force, this is a great way to put those heirloom pieces to use while giving your home an extra layer of family history. Check out the full tutorial over at Annalea Hart | How To Makeover a Lamp with a Slipcover.
Image: Annalea Hart
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This is genius.
nice.
I'm wondering how this looks when the light is turned on? Usually the back side of an embroidered piece is a mess of threads that don't follow the same pattern as the front. Wouldn't that all show through when the lamp is turned on?
I love this. Does anyone have suggestions to do this with a cone lamp shade? I have my own disaster. See here. http://cubicle57.wordpress.com/2011/03/22/shades-in-grey/
You're exactly right, HollyCow; unless the work is exceptionally neat, there will be threads carried over between areas and it will look messy when the light shines through it. You could minimize this by using something like embroidered hankies or napkins, which tend to be super neat on the back side.
I'm inspired!
My mother never believe that her aunts were right about keeping the backs of embroidery perfect.
Her blog shows it with the lamp turned on and it looks fine. Maybe because it's backed by the original shade it doesn't show through.
I have the perfect lamp for this project.
Genius.
The threads don't show because this is cross stitch, not embroidery.
Perhaps, to not sound so snarky, I should add that cross stitch is done in rows and therefore the back threads are much neater and organized, or clipped entirely. This is a beautiful use of a family heirloom.
Nice way to recycle pillowcases.
thank you for the kind comments!
yes, for those wondering it is extremely neat in the back. is there a difference between cross stitch and embroidery? i am definitely not well versed enough to know that. if so, it is cross stitched, not embroidered.
@annalea: cross stitch is different than embroidery in that it is only one stitch-- little x's are made in rows by counting threads in the base cloth, and every stitch should be the same size. Embroidery is made up of many different stitches, which are often of varied shapes and sizes to add texture to the design. I'm sure there are better explanations on the interwebs, but that's what I consider the difference.
Again, it's a beautiful way to use your family handwork.
@lunaticinthehouse: thank you!
Cross stitch is a type of embroidery.
I like the look but variety is the name of the gain.
Our stretchable lampshade Slip Covers would give you a run for the money.
See em at http://dressashade.com/