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a71 CHAT THURSDAY AT 11 A.M. Bethesda
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modern crafts
If you think rainbows instead
of rain, decorate an umbrella
You’ll need
by Kelly Wilkinson < Lightweight nylon fabric in two colors,
1
⁄2 yard of each
uring early spring showers, when < Different sizes of glasses or round objects
D
sidewalks become a jostling sea to use as circle templates (I used glasses and
of bland umbrellas, it’s uplifting a spool of thread in the following
to see bright spots of color in an diameters: four, 3
1
⁄4, 2
1
⁄2 and 1
1
⁄4 inches.)
otherwise dreary landscape. Give < Pencil
one of your dark workhorse umbrellas a < Scissors
cheery makeover with modern, graphic < Umbrella
KELLY WILKINSON FOR THE WASHINGTON POST
circles cut from waterproof nylon. Buttons < Needle There’s no reason to let a little rain dampen your sense of style.
keep the stacked circles in place while < Thread
adding a touch of dimension and < Sew-though buttons (the kind with holes, 1. Trace circles of varying shapes onto the double-thread a needle by pulling a length
homespun charm. not shanks) nylon using round objects as templates. of thread through the eye of the needle to
If poking a hole through an umbrella < Small tube of waterproof seam sealer, like 2. Cut them out. To speed the marking create two tails the same length. Knot the
sounds like a bad idea, you’re right. But McNett Seam Grip, or urethane repair and cutting, fold rectangles of nylon in half two tails together.
using a needle with a fine, sharp point adhesive and sealant, like Aquaseal or accordion-style into thirds to cut 2 or 3 6. Bring the needle up from the
means that raindrops won’t soak through (optional) circles at once. underside of the umbrella, through the
your DIY canopy. If they do, or if you want Note: Seam sealer is used to repair and 3. Make stacks of circle designs, nylon circles and through one hole in a
extra peace of mind, you can seal the spots waterproof tent seams, while urethane alternating sizes and colors. button. Bring it back down through the
where you sewed very quickly and easily repair is most commonly used to repair or 4. Place circles on an open umbrella to other buttonhole. Repeat until the button
with waterproof seam sealant, available in seal wetsuits or watersports gear. see how you want to space your designs. feels secure, at least 5 stitches. Tie off and
the camping section of most sporting-goods Attaching the designs within a few inches of trim the extra thread on the underside of
stores.
How to
the edge makes it easier to sew them in the umbrella.
localliving@washpost.com Trace and cut enough circles to create place, because you can hold the edge in one 7. Repeat with the rest of the stacked
about a dozen circle arrangements for the hand and stabilize the umbrella. But you circle-and-button arrangements.
Wilkinson is a craft designer and journalist. Find umbrella. Each arrangement will consist of can add the elements anywhere you’d like, 8. If you want to seal the small holes you
more of her projects at www.makegrowgather.com. two to three circles of different sizes and as long as you are sewing in between parts created while sewing, follow the
one button: of the metal umbrella frame. manufacturer’s instructions and apply the
5. To attach each circle design, sealant to the underside of the umbrella.
10
20
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