Steampunk Aviary Lamp Shade

bring nature and imagination into your home

Posted by Alix Marie Abram

About

i had a plain red lamp shade in my room, it was so boring to look at!
so i decided to cover it, stick it and re make it, so that every time i look at it now, i have to go, "wow!"

and i honestly still do. i am so pleased with how it turned out.
when the light is on at night, the feathers cast amazing shadows on the walls and ceilings.

my ideas started to arrive on our holiday in Lincoln. we passed many antique shops with beautiful lamp shades! we also went to a wildfowl park, where there were plenty of random feathers on the floor. all different shapes, colours and patterns. so i collected them, and when i got home, i experimented and plotted, then the Steampunk Aviary Lamp Shade was born!

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You Will Need (8 things)

  • Base Fabric the size of the shade, plus an inch top and bottom and either end
  • Braid and trimmings
  • lots of Feathers
  • Cogs
  • small piece of Fabric for the bow
  • Kilt Pin
  • Hot Glue Gun
  • Old Lamp Shade

Steps (10 steps, 120 minutes)

  1. 1

    this was my lamp shade to start with...
    pretty boring!

  2. 2

    measure the base fabric around the shade, leaving 1in seam allowances.

    with the glue gun, attach the fabric down the back edge, then around the top and bottom, then over lap the back with the other edge.

  3. 3

    next, glue your chosen braid or trimmings around the bottom of the shade, this just adds more detail and textures.

  4. 4

    to make the bow:

    cut fabric to the approximate size bow you want, it will end up about 3/4 of the size.
    fold the fabric in half length ways, and secure it with glue or stitches.
    then fold the two ends down and do the same.
    with the corners, fold them back and do the same.
    this creates a bow shape.

  5. 5

    start layering up the feathers.
    i think the more you have the better, but make sure you don't go over the top as it may look too much!

  6. 6

    and layer.

  7. 7

    and layer. until you get a nice group of feathers spaced out to see their detail and colours.

  8. 8

    then, add other bits and pieces such as cogs and the bow (which i then wrapped lace around the middle and added a kilt pin)

  9. 9

    and you are done!

  10. 10

    this is my new lamp shade in position :)