Here comes the sun

I promised you pictures of my new orange lampshade, so here you go

 

The lamp was my Grandmas when she was little.  I really love how the orange lampshade brings an updated look to a super old lamp.

I just love how it came out and I cant believe I didn't try it sooner.  I know you all are thinking its not as easy as it looks, but it really is.  Here are a few things to keep in mind if you are going to try your own

1. Add 1Tsb. laundry detergent to the dye bath (the box instructions say this too

2. wet the whole lampshade before you put it in the dye bath

3. Make the dye bath as hot as you can, keeping in mind that the glue on the lampshade may come apart, but that can be fixed later.

4. Keep the lampshade moving at all times when dyeing it.  I used a large bucket and just kept a spoon moving the whole time.

5. The longer you keep it in the darker the color, I kept mine in for about 20-25 minutes.

6. When I took the lampshade out of the dye I was convinced I blew it- the glue had come apart in some areas and the fabric on the shade had stretched so it was all wrinkly. I patted it dry with an old towel, and thought to myself what can I do to make the fabric shrink back...heat!  For about a half hour I dried the lampshade with the hairdryer and the fabric shrunk right back up like magic.

I used the color Tangerine, but I cant wait to try other bright colors now!

If you try your own send me pictures!  I'd love to see them all and do a post of all the fun, colorful lampshades.