My Most Recent Posts Widget

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Something Old Something New

Welcome Friends....... 
  Being an avid thrifter I love bringing things back to life by adding fresh new details.
Paint, a bit of discounted fabric or even scraps from a thrifted garment
 can add so much personality...
Magically, turning something old into something new again.
 
I was happy to find this soft pink cabbage rose home dec fabric for just two dollars a yard.
 I purchased all they had and have incorporated it throughout my master bedroom.

 "Tweaking is so much fun!"
1. I added a fabric matte to this sweet picture of my husband's Mother.
2. I recovered the seat of the feminine little rocking chair
 given to me by my Mother-in-Love.
3.  Then, I stitched up a matching pillow.
4. I added a ruffled skirt to a small table allowing room for hidden storage.
 5. Lastly, I softened the look of a thrifted wicker lamp electrical cord and chain.

 
I hope you'll enjoy this "TUTORIAL" showing how to add a soft
fabric slipcover to hide the chain and electrical cord on a hanging lamp. 
This wicker lamp cost me five dollars at my local thrift store.
First, it received a new coat of white paint.
 
"HOW TO MAKE THE SLIPCOVER"

1. Measure the length of the chain.
2. Cut 6 inch by 44 inch strips and sew them together making one very long strip.
(example...If your chain is 60" long you will need a strip that is 180" long...
It will need to be three times longer than the chain.)
3. Press.
4. Fold in half lengthwise.
5. Stitch with right side of fabric on the inside of folded strip.
This will make a long tube.
6. Turn right side out.
This next step  requires some patience...
7. Thread the pronged end of your electric cord into the opening at one end of the tube.
8. Start working the fabric tube onto the chain.
9. You will be "scrunching" the slipcover on
 until it is gathered snuggly and hides the entire length of the chain.
Once you have covered the chain and are satisfied with it's gathers.....
Randomly, stitch by hand the slipcover here and there
 to prevent it from slipping down from the top of the chain
 once you have hung your lamp.
(It's easy to hide the stitches due to the abundance of gathers.)
 
"ADDING A LITTLE SOMETHING EXTRA"
Even with the new paint and slipcovered chain
I felt something was missing.
1. I measured the tiny woven wicker openings.
 2. Cut strips a little over twice the width of the wicker openings.
3. I stitched these strips into a long tube.
(Just like I did making the slipcover for the chain.) 
 
I wove the stitched fabric tube in and out and stitched it in place
 at the very end of the weaving process.
The silk brocade fabric was from a two dollar remnant
 that I purchased at Joanns.
When I purchased the lamp it had no bulb.
I bought an extra large white light bulb.
To add a soft glow I spray painted it light pink.
Then, I sprayed a tacky adhesive onto it.
To add a touch of sparkle I sprinkled it generously with chunky clear glitter crystals.
 
AND THERE YOU HAVE IT...
A brand new face for this thrifted hanging lamp!


 
I love the soft, pink light. It has created such a cozy and inviting atmosphere.

Thank you for visiting, my dear friends.
I hope you have been inspired to find ways to
create something new out of something faded and old.
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.
"There's never a need to buy new when you can...
"TWEAK IT!"

Blessings,
Carolynn  xoxo


 
                                                                       Linking With
"Lavender Garden Cottage"
Cottage Style Linky Party
www.lavendergardencottage.blogspot.com
                                                                       

"Mosaic Monday"
www.dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com
 
"Tweak It Tuesday"
www.cozylittlehouse.com
 

21 comments:

Erica of Golden Egg Vintage said...

Oh my gosh! You sure made that pretty fabric go a long way! I love what you did with each thing. The lamp makeover was so much fun to see. I didn't know you could spraypaint and glitter light bulbs! LOL
Very Cute!
Erica :)

retrorevival.biz said...

Love your tweaks, Carolynn, especially your lamp. Great tute too!

~Cindy

Vickie @ Ranger 911 said...

I love that sweet fabric and I can't believe you found it for just $2 a yard!

Lynn@ The Vintage Nest said...

I had no idea you could paint a bulb! your makeover is charming. Not sure if I would have the patience to make one of those chain covers. Yours is fantastic!

Rosewalk Cottage said...

Everything looks nice. thank you for sharing and the tutorial. Your fabric was a good find and at such a good price.
~Clara

My Vintage Mending said...

All of your touches are so beautiful. You are so motivated. Who knew you could spray paint a light bulb? Thank you for all your kind words and blessings...Smiles...Renee

craftyles said...

WHat wonderful tweaks. I love the fabric sleeve. I didn't know you could paint light bulbs! You room has suck pretty touches throughout!

Alicia@ eco friendly homemaking said...

Oh it all looks so pretty! The colors in that fabric are just beautiful.

Dorthe said...

Dear Carolyn,
your found fabric is so very beautiful, and you used it wonderfully, in so many places,-I love what you did with it.
Also thankyou for the tutorial, so kind of you.
Hugs,Dorthe

mimi'sdarlins said...

Carolynn, thank you for sharing your little tutorial. I also love to 'renew' old or seemingly useless items. In fact, I enjoy the challenge and am always so pleased when I can bring new life to something that was ready to be discarded. That beautiful fabric was a lucky find, and you've certainly made the most of it :)

lynn said...

such lovely fabric!-thanks for the great tut, carolynn! i really love the picture mat, table skirt and pillows, too!

Jann Olson said...

Carolynn, what a wonderful tweaker you are! I certainly would have nabbed up all of that cottage rose fabric also. Love it and what a fantastic price! The cost of fabric is getting ridiculous anymore. Love all that you do and what a great tutorial.
Hugs,
Jann

Tammy ~ Country Girl at Home ~ said...

I had already loved that table skirt when you showed it and I LOVE that light fixture! Everything looks so soft and pretty!

Have a great evening, my friend!
Tammy

LV said...

You did a very nice makeover with your fabric.

Ann from On Sutton Place said...

I love to cover mat board with fabric. I think it's such a great trick to get a custom look. All your tweaks are wonderful!

NanaDiana said...

Carolynn-You did an amazing job on that lamp. I had one of those in my girls' room in (are you ready?;>) 1977! Their room was a Florida sunroom motif...lol I love that pink cabbage rose fabric. It is just beautiful! xo Diana

Shelia said...

Hi Carolynn! Oh, I love that sweet fabric and all you've done with it. That is a darling lamp! You did good with your tutorial!!
Thanks for popping in to see me.
be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Little Susie Home Maker said...

That is the perfect pretty fabric! Wow, you did a lot with it. I am loving every single item you fixed up! The chair is so soft and pretty, and it all ties together now, just so wonderfully. And at $2 a yard, you really had a wonderful and inexpensive opportunity to make a lot of updates! Great job, and I love the tutorial.
Blessings,
Susie

Elena said...

What a beautiful lamp. It caught my eye as we make lamps. I love what have done with it! Have a wonderful day!

Mary said...

I hate ugly electrical cords...I have covered all of mine that show. I have never painted a light bulb !!! I must definitely try that! Everything was so pretty, really like your fabric. Have a great week!

donna said...

Your fabric is just gorgeous. Love your table. Thank you so much for sharing how to cover the chain. Love it.
Hugs
donna