Parasol repair

[igenlode]

(click to view entire image)
I managed to repair an old lace parasol (not 'vintage', I think, as the inside had plastic parts) by cutting down and lashing on a cut-down rawlplug to replace the missing wooden tip, so that the canopy extended under the appropriate tension when unfolded.
Ideally it would have been a wooden rawlplug for a better match, but I couldn't find one in my collection of scraps and wasn't about to go out on a hunt for an entire new packet of rawlplugs :-p

I lashed and whipped the edge of the lace canopy fairly securely through the split in the 'tip' (held together chiefly by the whipping!)

Now I just need to find an appropriate recipient, i.e. a lady who thinks a lace parasol is pretty and doesn't object to the fact that it has been 'rescued'...

Comments

Wow!

[ysabetwordsmith]

I'm impressed. Umbrellas (and thus parasols) are challenging to repair because of the tension.

Also, parasols aren't just pretty. They keep the sun off. I have contemplated carrying one, but haven't because I prefer keeping my hands free. I've seen people carrying them occasionally though.

[watervole]

I'm currently into English Civil War re-enactment (I'm assuming your Dad was American Civil War).

I agree that there's nothing like using something in context to understand it. Clothing in particular. You wear it for a couple of days, and all kinds of features make sense.

[watervole]

As something lightweight to keep the sun off, I can definitely see the advantage.

I suppose the holes help avoid any build up of hot air under it. The odds are that general moving around will help the shade even out. Though if one sat still for a long time, I presume there would be some burn risk.

I've never been a big fan of sun-screen - not least because it's toxic to fish. I tend to rely on sun-hats, shawls, etc.