Plain to Pretty Black Umbrella Makeover

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The next project on my craft list is another makeover, this time for an umbrella.

I found myself having to replace my umbrella, again.  This time I decided to invest in one I was sure would last awhile before breaking on me. 

I got this Totes stick umbrella, which was a little more than what I usually pay for umbrellas, but is totally worth it.

It opens and closes easily, dries quickly when wet, has held up to winds that have snapped previous umbrellas, and has one of the nicest and softest feeling handles I have ever touched.

I intentionally got it in black because it both makes it less likely to get really dirty and makes it better as a sun umbrella (check out this article about that).

The downside is that it isn’t as pretty as other umbrellas, but that is way too easy to fix.  We just need to add some…

…Lace!

I got this wide lace ages ago from SAS intending to use it for an umbrella.  It’s just like the lace I used for the white umbrella I decorated before (that got super dirty looking before breaking on me, sigh).

I like it specifically because it’s a pretty non-cottony lace.  I don’t recommend cotton laces because they are very absorbent.  When you use an umbrella for both sun and rain, adding something that absorbs a ton of water will make it take forever to dry.  Not to say that this lace won’t take a ton of time to dry too.

I started by ruffling the lace using my sewing machine by using the longest stitch length and setting the tension higher.

The circumference of the umbrella is 124 in. (315 cm.) and I needed twice as much lace to make my lace ruffle plus a little extra for overlap.  The quicker option is to choose a lace that is already ruffled, but that narrows the selection quite a bit.

After ruffling, I pinned my lace along the edge of the umbrella.  Looking nicer already.

Now, I could have sewn the lace ruffle on by hand, but I was feeling lazy about it.  So, I glued it on with a glue gun.

First, I carefully glued down the sections of lace between the pins.

Then I removed the pins one by one and glued down those areas.

I went around a couple more times to glue spots I missed and remove those annoying strings left by the glue gun (I watched a lot of videos while doing all of this).

Finally, I made some little ribbon bows to add along the lace (check out my video tutorial for simple bows if you wish).

And now the umbrella, or should I say, parasol is finished and ready for use.

It is looks so pretty and the lace ruffle gives it a very poufy look, however…

…It’s not too poufy to close up!  I was afraid I would have to change the strap.

Here’s the updated list:

• 3 piece outfit
• Holder
• First aid cases
• Umbrella
• Tea set
• Tote

Two down, four more to go.  The next one should be up tomorrow, look forward to it!

Give it a try:

• Totes Auto Open Water-Resistant Stick Umbrella, Black
• ArtMinds® Fashion Mini Glue Gun
• Celebrate It® 360°™ Double-Faced Satin Ribbon, 3/8"
• Singer Sewing Kit Beginner's