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Easy to Make DIY Cowhide Lamp Shade for $15

If there was one thing that ever defined my Pap’s schedule the most, it was the cows.

Cattle farmer’s lives run on when cows have to be fed.

I vividly remember leaving my great uncle’s funeral in a hurry to go feed the cows with my Pap.

We both rode on the tractor, him in his suit, me in a dress, and hurriedly fed the cows before going back to gather with the rest of the family after the funeral.

I also vividly remember a calf I grew up with, named Blackjack.

I also remember when I asked my dad where Blackjack was one day and he responded with, “On our plates.”

And I didn’t bat an eye.

The cows fed us and paid our bills.

I still miss feeding the cattle and I miss my Pap.

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Online Fabric Store. Y’all know how I roll though, all opinions are 100% mine. This post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

A few weeks back I saw this cowhide lamp shade and fell in love with it. The only problem was, of course, its price tag of $109.

I knew I wanted a cowhide lamp shade though. Not only would it fit perfectly with my decor, but it would be a nod to my Pap.

Even though he is somewhere shaking his head and laughing because he probably doesn’t understand why in the world someone would want a DIY cowhide lampshade.

DIY Cowhide Lampshade | How to Make a Cowhide Lamp Shade | DIY Lampshade | DIY Lampshade Ideas | DIY Lampshade Makeover | Lampshade Makeover

DIY Cowhide Lamp Shade

Here is how I made my own DIY cowhide lamp shade and you can make one too for less than $15.

Get excited!

Here’s what ya need:

– 1 1/2 yards of Tan Cow Velboa Faux Fur Fabric

– Brown Satin Ribbon

-Lampshade (I used one I already had. You can find a basic one here* for $10.)

– Hot Glue

*Depending on the size of your lampshade, you may need more or less fabric. I got three yards to begin with because I thought my lampshade was pretty big and still overestimated.

I started by taking the lampshade from my DIY bottle lamp and ripping off the old covering. If your lampshade wasn’t re-covered to begin with, you don’t have to do this. I’m just a frugal gal and re-use things as often as possible.

Then, I spread my fabric on the floor and laid the lampshade on top of it.

DIY Cowhide Lampshade via RainonaTinRoof.com #OnlineFabricStore #cowhide #knockoff #diyI rolled the lampshade over the fabric to get a good idea of how much fabric I would need, then did a rough cut of the excess fabric.

Once I had the excess cut, I took my hot glue gun and glued one end of the fabric down along my lampshade.

DIY Cowhide Lampshade via RainonaTinRoof.com #OnlineFabricStore #cowhide #knockoff #diy

Next, I rolled the fabric back onto the lampshade and applied hot glue along the inside bottom edge, then pushed the fabric into the glue.

DIY Cowhide Lampshade via RainonaTinRoof.com #OnlineFabricStore #cowhide #knockoff #diy

Keep going! You’re almost about to have your very own DIY cowhide lamp shade!

When my two ends met, I hot glued the edge that would be on top into a neat fold and then glued it down on top of the other end.

DIY Cowhide Lampshade via RainonaTinRoof.com #OnlineFabricStore #cowhide #knockoff #diyI sat the lampshade upright and snipped the fabric where the metal frame was, then hot glued those edges down and trimmed the fabric.

DIY Cowhide Lampshade via RainonaTinRoof.com #OnlineFabricStore #cowhide #knockoff #diy

I added the brown ribbon along both the top and bottom edges of the lampshade. I just put a dot of hot glue every little bit and pushed it onto the shade.

DIY Cowhide Lampshade via RainonaTinRoof.com #OnlineFabricStore #cowhide #knockoff #diyAnd that’s it.

DIY Cowhide Lampshade via RainonaTinRoof.com #OnlineFabricStore #cowhide #knockoff #diy

DIY Cowhide Lampshade via RainonaTinRoof.com #OnlineFabricStore #cowhide #knockoff #diy

DIY Cowhide Lampshade | How to Make a Cowhide Lamp Shade | DIY Lampshade | DIY Lampshade Ideas | DIY Lampshade Makeover | Lampshade Makeover

$100 lampshade or $15 DIY cowhide lamp shade?

Ding! Ding! Ding!

I’ll take the $15 one!

You can get the info on the DIY bottle lamp here – it’s easy to make! And see how I used this same fabric to make a faux cowhide rug here!

You might also want to see…

How to Make a Lampshade from Scratch and Your Own Lamp Finials – turn any fabric into a lampshade!

16+ DIY Lamp Makeovers and Ideas – SO many great ideas here!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Megan says

    I love this! I remember I was in our downtown shopping area the summer between high school and college and fell in love with a cowhide purse. I didn’t buy it but I’ve loved cowhide prints since, all 10+ years ago that was. This print you chose is one of the best prints I’ve seen, but it also kinda looks like a globe. 🙂 I love it paired with the lamp base.

    Reply

  3. diane says

    I LOVE this lampshade!!! It just too stinkin’ cute. I’m now in the process of planning my redecoration of a room so I can use it! Do you find yourself walking by and petting it?

    Reply

  4. Angela says

    I love this project…it is such a nice twist on using cowhide in home décor. Also, love your story. Things are extra special when they have a connection to your past.

    Have a great day!
    Angela @ Number Fifty-Three

    Reply

  5. Dad says

    Honey, I loved the story about Pap. I still miss him too. It’s had to believe it’s been almost 12 years. BTW, we did NOT eat Blackjack. We may have eat one like her, but not her. After all, I raised her up bottlefeeding. Have a great day! Love my precious granddaughter for me. Love You! Dad

    Reply

  6. Dad says

    The shade is quite beautiful. I wouldn’t mind having one myself with either Red Angus or Santa Gertudis breed markings.

    Reply

  7. Pat says

    I love it! Such a fun lamp ~ 🙂 I’ll have to read about the base. I can’t believe I just found your blog! Why didn’t you tell me to jump over here and see all this good stuff? Lol Seriously, so many things I have to read about. I abso-freakin-lutely adore the furniture you’ve painted navy + the gold! I just moved into this apt the end of June and I had an accent wall painted navy in my bedroom. I’m collecting mirrors and spray painting some of the frames gold, if they’re not already. I’m lovin’ it!

    I shall return ~

    xo
    Pat

    Reply

    • Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says

      hahahahaha, Pat! You are so funny! I can’t believe you just found it either – but I am SO glad you did! I’m always up to lots of craziness, so I hope you have fun following along! And navy and gold – LOVE! Its one of my favorite combos! There will be much more of that! I am dying to do a navy accent wall somewhere, but just can’t find the perfect place! I bet yours will look stellar!

      Reply

  16. JaneEllen says

    I want your lamp, shade and all. Awesome make over gal. Now I’ll be looking for a big jar and that fabric. Hmm, maybe I can find the fabric and have a lamp shade out in shed already I want to use. I have a lamp it would look great on, kind of a twist, kinda fancy lamp with a cow hide shade, incredible. I love to mix up styles that shouldn’t go with each other, just for kicks. Where did you get your fabric? I have coupon for 50% off fabric at Jo-Ann’s. I’ll have to see what they have.
    Ok better get back to my giant purging in my craft room. It’s a really big mess but it’s gonna be that way for while. All this work just to get a blasted stand in room to put paint on, GROAN. The hallway is full of this and that from both rooms, (craft and sewing). Happy weekend

    Reply

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  1. […] multiple times. Anytime I’m thrifting and see a lampshade with a good shape, I buy it. This lampshade is my newest creation. You can find out how to re-cover a lampshade here and see more about this […]

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