Zebra Print Sun Umbrella - Reinforcing A Sun Umbrella with a Fun Zebra Print

Zebra Print Sun Umbrella

Here is my new reinforced zebra print sun umbrella. I wanted to fix this particular umbrella instead of buying a new one because this fixture tilts to block the sun; a feature which I love about it. So I decided to use some fun zebra print material that I had to cover the areas that are getting thin and beginning to tear.

Umbrella Fabric with Tears

Here you can see the original patio umbrella fabric that has the beginning of some tears in it. I used iron on interfacing to reinforce the torn areas.

Interfacing Used on Tears

Here you can see the iron on interfacing used to reinforce the umbrella fabric.

Zebra Print Shower Curtain Material

Here is the zebra print material that I decided to use to cover the areas of the patio umbrella that are tearing. There wasn't enough material to create a new cover so I decided to use the four corners of the material to create a diagonal cut to cover each of the six sections of the umbrella. Since I only have four corners I used the left over material to construct two more similar cuts.

Zebra Material Pieced Together on Umbrella

Cutting Out the Shape of the Diagonal Pieces

 I took one corner of the zebra fabric and placed it diagonally on one of the six sections of the umbrella. I placed the point of the corner at the edge of the umbrella in the middle of the section of the triangle (see picture above). Then I cut the fabric on the edges of the triangle adding an extra 5/8 inch of material for seam allowance (see picture above). I did this four times. With the material I had left over I created two more corner pieces. I used one of the original corner pieces as a pattern to create the last two pieces. Then I sewed all the sides together to create the six section cover for the umbrella.

Pieces Sewn Together

Here are the pieces sewn together and folded in half.
Open up and place all sewn pieces onto the umbrella. Align all the triangle side seams with the original umbrella fabric side seams which also align with the aluminum extensions.

Sewing the New Fabric on to the Original Umbrella

I hand stitched the zebra fabric to the original umbrella fabric all around the edge of the zebra fabric. I also hand stitched the two fabrics together around the top circular opening of the umbrella. At the top of the umbrella cut a circular piece of fabric larger than the opening and cover this area. Attach at side seams.

Finished Patio Umbrella

Here is my newly reinforced, fun zebra print, sun umbrella that I can tilt when needed. I think I'll go out to the garden now and enjoy!

Linda