Fabric Covered Pendant Light

Since I added those wall stencils to my kitchen, it motivated me to keep on the spice-it-up vibe.  I had leftover fabric from my curtains so I thought I’d make some valances for the small windows over my sink.  But I know valances aren’t “hip” – I just didn’t know what else to do.  A friend said “why even have curtains at all” – good point!  They’re small windows and don’t need curtains.  But I really felt that I needed something fabric over there to soften the look of the corner.  She suggested a pendant light covered in fabric and I loved the idea – so here’s a quick how to make a fabric covered pendant light.

First, find a drum shade.  I found a few that belled out a little, but I wanted a true drum, and small in size so it didn’t overwhelm the corner.  I ended up buying a whole lamp from the back-to-college section at target, just to use the shade.  I figure I can find an ole shade to put on the lamp later. 

 Then cut your fabric to go all the way around.  I hemmed one edge and left one raw.  With the raw edge, I just folded it and hot glued it to the top of the shade in sections.

It’s not perfect, but it hangs a little high so people aren’t looking directly at the edge, so I tell myself there’s no need for perfection.

For the bottom edge, since it would be seen a little more if any looked up at the light, I used the hemmed edge.  I then wrapped the fabric over the bottom edge of the shade and hot glued it to the inside.

Can you see the difference between the top and bottom – on the top you can see the edge of the lampshade, and on the bottom you can’t.
Then grab a hunky husband to do the wiring work, all using stuff he had laying around in the garage.  I think it was a simple thing to do, but I wasn’t the one who did the wiring so I can’t give details.

I LOVE how it came out and I can’t believe how dark my corner used to be.  This new light gives so much light since the light glows through it instead of just aiming out the bottom – it’s great!!  And I love how it looks even when the light is off.  Adds the fabric to the corner – without curtains that I wasn’t going to like.