How to Replace Fabric on a Patio Umbrella

Calculate Yardage

• 1

  Open the umbrella. Leave the current umbrella intact for measuring.

• 2

  Measure the umbrella's width from the left side up over the umbrella to the right side. Add 4 inches for seam allowances. This is the modified width.

• 3

  Measure from the umbrella's center bottom edge up over the umbrella to the "point" of the umbrella. The point is called a ferule. Your umbrella may have a finial over the ferule. Add 4 inches. Multiply this measurement by 2 to find the modified length.

• 4

  Purchase fabric according to the modified width and modified length. You might have to sew two or more lengths of fabric to achieve the necessary width. According to the Patio Umbrellas website, a 48-inch diameter table should have a 9-foot diameter umbrella.

Making the Pattern

• 5

  Remove the old umbrella from the frame. Draw a diagram of the umbrella construction. Include any hardware, grommets, holes around the ferule or eyelets and label each part for reference.

• 6

  Use a seam ripper to remove the stitches from the umbrella. If making a paneled umbrella, remove only one panel if panels are identical. If the umbrella is one piece, remove all of the stitching. Save any hardware to reuse.

• 7

  Place the panel or umbrella onto an ironing board. Iron the seams open and flat. You will use the old umbrella as a pattern.

Sewing the Umbrella

• 8

  Prepare fabric as necessary. If your single-piece umbrella is wider than the fabric purchased, sew two or more lengths of fabric to achieve the width necessary.

• 9

  Pin the pattern (old umbrella) to the new fabric. Cut out the umbrella or umbrella pieces. For a paneled umbrella, cut out the number of panels present on the old umbrella. Most paneled umbrellas have between four and six panels. Remove pattern from new fabric.

• 10

  Pin the panels together or form the hem by folding the edges under 1/2 inch, and then under 1/2 inch again. Pin.

• 11

  Sew the panels together using a straight seam. Examine the old umbrella to determine the seam allowance used or use a 1/2-inch to 1-inch seam allowance. Remove pins. According to the Sewing and Craft Alliance, use a 70/10 or 110/18 needle. These needles are very sharp and strong and can handle thick fabric without snapping. If there are no panels, skip to Section 3 Step 5.

• 12

  Sew the hem (for a paneled umbrella, follow hem instructions in Section 3 Step 3) using a straight stitch and 1-inch seam allowance. Remove pins.

• 13

  Topstitch seams and the hem. A topstitch is visible stitching sewn on top of the umbrella over the seams for reinforcement.

• 14

  Replace any hardware. Refer to your diagram for correct placement. Attach the umbrella to the ribs of the frame by hand sewing with a needle and heavy-duty nylon thread through the holes in the ribs and through the umbrella fabric. Or, replicate the attachment of the original umbrella. According to Umbrella Recovery, an umbrella has six to 12 ribs.