I made parasols recently.
It was in 2009 that I made my first DIY parasols, when I wanted to make a birthday present for my sister. I made two parasols in Marimekko fabrics, one for practicing and one for my sister. Since then, I hadn't felt that I needed any more new one. However this summer, time is up. I think it is happening twice a decade that I need new parasols. It's a bit less frequent than I need new clothes.
By the way, very many Japanese people, especially grownup women, use parasols to avoid UV ray in summer. We use sunscreen cream too. And we walk only on the sunshade-side of sidewalks. Mmmm, maybe it's only me to love the shady side, but I do so. I mean, I'm mentally sensitive to the sun. I am a fern, if not an UV sensitive bacterium. Only family and friends can drag me out to the sunny place, otherwise I'm a house plant.
Confessing that I am a plant, let's go back to the new parasols. When I felt blinding sunshine for the first time this year, I had three parasols. Sadly to me though, they were heavy, not pretty, or too old like a giant used Band-aid. I started thinking about new parasols, and after some research I concluded that it was better to make one or two using my sewing machine than buying something from the shop. All very pretty parasols that caught my eye were astonishingly expensive. No way...
I used a DIY kit and my I-don't-know-why-I-bought-but-I-agree-it-is-pretty Amy Butler cotton to make this parasol. I'm ready for the sunshine!
The thing is, I ventured to move on further a bit. I mean, I tried refurbishing of my old parasol after this. I installed a new canopy (sewn by me, of course) on the old frame and I felt it was easy. That means I wouldn't need any more kit for my new parasols! I'd like to write about it in the next post, if not in the post following the next one. It won't be a tutorial, but I'm going to upload some photos to show my process so that you can see how it went. Please come back sometime later if you're interested.
Have a happy weekend!
xoxo
yoshimi
Many Latino women use parasols here in the sunshine.
ReplyDeleteI would love to see your process of refurbishing one.
Thank you for the comment. Parasols are so effective when the sun is too bright! I'm happy to know there are many ladies who use parasols :)
DeleteWow!....Would love to see the process of making a parasol.
ReplyDeleteI blogged it today. I hope you like it!
DeleteIt's really pretty and I'd like to see how you did it – though I admit, I am more of a cactus type myself : ) A pretty parasol would be a very nice gift item, I think.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I agree with you, a pretty handmade parasol can be a very nice and special gift.
Deletequelle belle idée et le tissu choisi est si joli !!!
ReplyDeleteMerci beaucoup! I love the fabric too.
DeleteSo impressed. Clever you:-)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Louise!
Deleteすごい I bought my first parasol in the beginning of my first summer in Japan because I could not stand being exposed to sun! Although I love sun and being tanned, I felt that it was unbearable in the city. So yeah, my first and the only parasol is still with me here. I remember crazy prices for pretty parasols; you've got yourself such a fancy one!
ReplyDeleteうれしいありがとう！I know what you mean. It is rather tiring to be exposed to the sunshine in the city. I'd love to see your version of DIY parasols as they must be colorful and artistic. I'm sure they would beat all those expensive ones in the shop.
DeleteSo pretty! Rain or shine you are set with a beautiful cover.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I think I can have some more beautiful covers ;)
DeleteThat is such a beautiful fabric. I look forward to your process photos. I've been thinking to do this myself. Is it special fabric that stops the UV rays and is it waterproof? I guess parasol means for sun not rain so answering my own question!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I blogged a post with photographs today. I hope it helps you a bit. As for the fabric, it is a plain woven cotton fabric for bags, covers, and such. I usually apply UV fabric spray protector before the first use of all parasols, and I did it to this parasol too :)
Deletethank you for a wonderful idea: i have paper parasols which i keep in the car for my Mother and me...our area is very sunny and they are the perfect thing. your idea is the best, however.
ReplyDeleteThank you from me for your lovely comment too. I hope you will be interested in making something special for keeping it in your car!
DeleteWe don't have nearly enough sunshine here for a parasol but I'd love to have a go at making one all the same. Such a lovely accessory :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you for leaving the comment! I have to say that it is fun to make a parasol, indeed. You can go wild and adventurous when choosing fabrics.
DeleteYour parasol is beautiful and I can see why you purchased the fabric. I like you don't like the sun and will be very interested to read and see how you made your parasol.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I really love this Amy Butler cotton. The colors are very pretty. I blogged about how I made two more parasols in the last post. Please have a look at it, I hope you like it.
Delete" I'm going to upload some photos to show my process so that you can see how it went. " Please do so for me too! Desperately in need of new parasol here - yours is so very pretty, enjoy :)
ReplyDeleteThank you :)) I have uploaded pics I mentioned. Please check them in today's post, whenever you have spare time. There is nothing special mentioned, but I think it would help you to know that things are easier than they look!
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