Refashion: Patio Umbrella
with a vinyl tablecloth
This umbrella from Aldi's served us well and is now on it's 3rd incarnation …
It was simply striped vinyl,
and one day, after a good cleaning with spray bleach,
we
added painted polka dots … in just one hour it looked like this.
Then, after a very bad hail storm, it looked like this …
Ruined … but in the back of my mind was an idea we
had for decorating an umbrella with a tablecloth.
We came across an Aldi's Huntington Home
70 ″ round vinyl tablecloth for about seven dollars,
similar to this …
… We'll admit we didn't measure, this was a very slap-dash affair.
But, here's how it looks now … ready for a few more years of service …
Would you like to give it a go with your own umbrella?
TOOLS NEEDED:
• 1-inch and 1/4-inch paint brushes.
• ModPodge or white glue
• matching acrylic
paint
•
scissors,
• stapler
We also had on hand some disposable plates
and baby wipes to catch drips.
We propped the umbrella over an armchair indoors, and went to work.
HERE's HOW:
1. Cut a small opening in the center of the tablecloth to
fit over the finial at the top center of the umbrella. Folding the tablecloth
into quarters will make it easier to cut a smooth circle shape in the center.
Don't worry if the hole is a bit too large.
We'll seal this later with a bit of matching paint.
2. Fit the tablecloth over the umbrella, smoothing it into place.
3. Fold back the tablecloth one section at a time.
4. Brush on ModPodge with a 1-inch brush, then smooth the tablecloth
against the umbrella from above and below.
5. Cut a small slit so you can pull the closing strap through.
6. After gluing, we attached the edge of the tablecloth to the
umbrella with staples every few inches. We trimmed off a bit
of the edging of the umbrella here and there so that edges were even,
Don't cut the channels that hold the ribs, just the edging.
Trim off the tablecloth tag if you have one.
Pleat the tablecloth a little when you reach a rib to help it fit.
7. We dabbed a bit paint over each staple with the small
paint brush to waterproof and protect from rust.
8. A litte more glue, and a lick of matching paint around the finial
seals the top from rain. We also touched up the staples and rips inside
the umbrella by brushing on ModPodge with the 1-inch brush.
The wrinkles and folds will eventually settle and flatten with time.
In just 1.5 hours this umbrella will now last a few more beautiful years.
– Shop with Sweet Home Stephie McCarthy –
