How to Recover an Umbrella

comments (9) November 19th, 2009 in sewing

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These umbrellas were pieced to create new designs. Piece the fabric before cutting out the canopy segments.

Make an umbrella canopy that’s as bright and detailed as you like.

These umbrellas were pieced to create new designs. Piece the fabric before cutting out the canopy segments.

Photo: Jack Deutsch

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Assemble the New Cover
Sew each seam twice for added strength. Use a polyester or weather-resistant thread (available at SeattleFabrics.com) and a small stitch length (12 to 14 per inch).

1. Hem the pieces if desired. First, if the finished selvage won’t be used for the edge, make a narrow double-fold hem on each section.

2. Make a tie. When finished, the tie is a 1⁄2-inch-wide, double fold of fabric that’s long enough to go around the closed umbrella. Finish the exposed end since there will be a ring or loop sewed onto it. Wrap the tie around the umbrella to check for proper length. Insert the tie about a third of the way up from the lower end of a seam as it’s sewn in the next step, or add it to the fold of a section later. To attach a tie to the fold, topstitch it after you’ve attached the canopy to the rib tips.

Insert the tie into a seam.

3. Connect the pieces. When sewing the sections together, sew all of the sections together in pairs first. Then sew pairs together into groups of four, sew those groups together into eight, and so on. From the top to the tips, stitch a seam allowance the same size as the original canopy’s (or 3⁄8 inch). Fold the seam allowance in half, and stitch again; stitch only through the seam allowances next to the first stitching line. When all of the pieces have been sewn together, there should be a small opening at the top for the insertion of the point of the umbrella tube. If the opening is too large, re-stitch all the sections so the opening fits snugly over the point of the umbrella.

Sew the seam, fold the seam allowance over, and stitch again.

4. Secure the canopy over the umbrella frame end. Place the canopy over the frame, and place a 31⁄2-inch-diameter circle of fabric with a 1⁄2-inch-diameter hole in it over the canopy. Place the ferrule over the top. If a new ferrule is unavailable, and the old one can’t be removed, insert the umbrella end into the canopy hole. Turn the canopy back over the ferrule. Use upholstery thread to wrap tightly around and secure the raw canopy edge between the ferrule and the base of the ribs. Hold the umbrella upright, and let the canopy fall over the ribs. Make sure that it isn’t twisted.

Tie and stitch the canopy in place below the ferrule.

5. Attach the canopy to the rib tips. If the umbrella has detachable tips, remove them from the old canopy. Sew the tips onto each seam end by placing the rib tip upside-down on the canopy’s right-side hem. Use waxed buttonhole thread, and hold the fabric at the tip as you sew. Stitch from the inside of the umbrella into the hole in the rib tip two times, and then knot off the thread. When the rip tip is turned right-side up, it will hide the stitching. If the umbrella has tips that are part of the rib ends, fold the end of each seam under, and sew over the top of the rib and through the hole underneath the rib.

Sew the tips to the canopy’s seam hems.

6. Press the canopy, and attach the tips. Steam-press the canopy seams, pulling them to make them stretch a little longer. This makes it easier to pull the tips over the umbrella ribs. Attach the rib tips to the ribs, steaming more while open if it seems too tight. Steam the canopy once more when it is closed and rolled up; make sure that all the folds are pointing in the same direction.

Attach the tips to the rib ends.

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Comments (9)

DSwindle69 writes: what a nice idea, I have always wanted to cover an umbrella.
this is a new project, i will add to my others asap
Posted: 10:03 pm on June 7th

savonniere writes: Every time I collapse the umbrella the rib tips fall off - this was the case with the old (original cover) and with the new one. Anyone have a suggestion how to make the tips stay secured to the tips of the ribs? I'm thinking superglue?
Thanks.
Posted: 10:02 am on January 30th

Sewgull writes: I make a new cover for our patio umbrella several years ago.
It was not perfect, but I was pleased. My husband was more please than I was.

Always give something a try, you will succeed or make a mess. Either was you gave it a shot.
Posted: 4:54 pm on November 28th

exclusivelydi writes: Thanks, I use one every time I go out in the sun, you know, super light skin etc. I have wanted a 'pretty' one for the sun instead of just another rain umbrella. This is pretty much as I expected, but it's still nice to see it and read it first!
Posted: 11:57 pm on November 24th

Sheavz writes: I am delighted to have these instructions. I have my grandfather's large black umbrella, with his name engraved on the silver handle. The canopy is in surprisingly good condition, but definitely needs replacing. I am going to give it a go and can really use a new umbrella here in rainy Seattle!! Thanks for this very timely article.
Posted: 5:57 pm on November 23rd

Shadegardener writes: It's funny that this came at this time, because I am almost finished making a new cover for my daughter's patio umbrella, using Sunbrella canvas and outdoor uv resistant thread. Never would have thought to do this until she asked. She sent her old shredded one, which I took apart to use as a pattern. It was very easy to do and looks nice, but now I am anxious to see if it fits! Must send it across the country.
Posted: 4:59 pm on November 23rd

perendales writes: I have 2 old and faded outdoor umbrellas that I would like to recover in Sunbrella this time. Great idea. I need to grab those umbrellas out of storage and try this out.
Posted: 11:33 am on November 23rd

BarbaraJChilds writes: Great article. I have a golf umbrella which needs recovering and will definitely try this method.
Posted: 9:47 am on November 23rd

beckysews writes: What a great idea! I think I'll use some cotton and spray with Scotch Guard to weatherproof it!

Thanks!
Posted: 11:18 am on November 20th

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