How to Make a Plastic Umbrella Top

Making a Plastic Umbrella Top

• 1

  Measure your cloth into triangles based on the number of sections between spokes that your original umbrella frame had. To do this, set your stripped umbrella on a table or floor and adjust the spokes so they reach out at full length. Measure and copy down the length.

• 2

  Use a compass to find the angles of the triangles created between the spokes. They should consist of two smaller angles of equal degree and one wider angle.

• 3

  Using a dry erase marker, draw the triangles on your plastic material and add an inch of material on the left side of each. The extra will provide material to create the seam needed both to sew together the sections and create a sheath for the umbrella spokes.

• 4

  Set the plastic material on a piece of poster board or cardboard and use an utility knife to cut out the triangles.

• 5

  Sew together the long sides of the triangles and make sure the seams are all on the same side, rather than switching between the inside and outside of the umbrella top.

• 6

  Reverse the cloth and again sew the long sides to give them extra strength, then place the spokes of the umbrella frame on the plastic and test the fit of the seams before sewing them closed. Close the top of the sheaths by angling your stick ninety degrees. Make sure to mark the points at which you close the sheaths so they are all uniform length.