Recovering an Antique Victorian Parasol

I happen across bare parasol frames from time to time, but I’ve never been brave enough to take on recovering one until now! So let’s talk about some of the style and mechanical history of the parasol while I get to work with patterning, cutting, fitting, and trimming out a mid-19th century parasol. I’m even making (lazy) silk fringe! The shape, size, and style of parasols changes constantly throughout history. It’s an ancient design that dates back thousands of years. It’s popularity in Europe picked up after the 16th century- though London supposedly experienced it’s first umbrella in 1750! Throughout the 19th c, parasols were a common accessory in the wardrobe of all sorts of people. The industrial revolution made them affordable and accessible to many more. And they weren’t just for fashion! They work impressively to keep the sun and heat off of the bearer- an essential thing in the time before sunscreen and air conditioning. Brandon McKinney: http