https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/little-black-parasol • Posted by Jessy
I've wanted a little black lace parasol for as long as I can remember. But I could never find one in any vintage stores around here, and I didn't want to pay anywhere near the crazy prices I've seen them go for on the net. So when I saw this little white umbrella at Value Village for $3.99, I had to have it!
I've wanted a little black lace parasol for as long as I can remember. But I could never find one in any vintage stores around here, and I didn't want to pay anywhere near the crazy prices I've seen them go for on the net. So when I saw this little white umbrella at Value Village for $3.99, I had to have it!
The first step is the hardest. Find a short umbrella! It took me years to finally find one I liked. I actually think mine is a child's umbrella, hence why it's so small, and the little nobs on the ends of the poles.
First cut off the white cover. Don't cut the whole thing apart, you'll need it in a bit.
Take your sand paper and sand any plastic parts you wish to paint. I had the handle, the nob on the top, and these little nobs on the ends of each of the umbrella poles. If you can't take the plastic parts off, I couldn't, then you can cover the wire work of the umbrella with saran wrap to keep the paint from gumming up the gears. After you give it a good sanding, spray paint it the color of your choice. I chose black naturally.
While the paint is drying, take the original cover and cut out one of the triangles. Then lay that over your lace and cut out a triangle about a half inch bigger, on each side, for seam allowance. Then cut out 7 more the same size. You should have 8 triangles.
Now you can start sewing the triangles together. Be sure the points are in the middle! I almost stared sewing one on backwards. Also make sure you don't sew up the hole in the very middle where the triangle points meet. You'll need the hole to put the lace on your umbrella later.
Once you have the whole thing sewed together it should look something like this. Don't worry if it doesn't lay flat in a perfect circle, that won't matter once you get it on the frame. Now check your umbrella frame. If the paint is still wet, let it sit a little longer, and go ahead and spray it if it needs another coat of paint. After the paint is dry, spray it with a matte finishing spray. You don't really have to matte finish it, but I didn't want anything to scrape or rub the paint off.
After the matte finish is dry, take the lace cover and pull it over the top of the frame through the hole you left at the top. Then sew it up nice and tight!
Now pop open the frame and then sew it down on the ends. Most frames have little holes cut into the end of the poles, but mine had these little nobs. If it helps to sew the ends down you can close up the frame as you go along. After your done make sure to pop the frame open and that the umbrella curves slightly and that the frame doesn't look flat.
Now turn the umbrella upside down and then sew the lace down to the middle of each pole. This will hold the lace in place as you close the frame down.
Now for the strap that will hold the parasol closed. I measured the length I needed with the strap from the white umbrella. Fold over a few layers of lace and sew it up. Then sew on Velcro snaps on the ends. Then sew it down towards the middle of the frame on the lace.
You should have something like this so far.
Now pop open the frame. Take your ruffled black lace edging and start sewing it down on the edge of your parasol frame.
And now you have a darling little black parasol that will make every one of your creepy loving friends jealous! Mine certainly are! :D