Instructions to Make a Canopy for a Market Umbrella

Features

• Traditional patio and beach umbrellas have a draped valance (ruffle) around the edge. Additionally, a patio umbrella has a very slight angle between the center pole and the edge of the umbrella shade. These features allow the patio umbrella to provide shade while at the same time preventing the wind from pushing the umbrella over. Unlike this type of umbrella, a market umbrella is constructed for visibility. There is a steeper angle from the center pole to the edge of the umbrella so the sun shade can be seen. Additionally, there is no valance along the edge of the shade to block visibility of the wares sold beneath the umbrella. To compensate for the possibility of wind, the sun shade is made in two pieces to allow for a wind vent.

Materials

• Market umbrellas are typically made from all-weather canvas in bright colors for maximum visibility. An umbrella used in an actual market may be as brightly colored as an awning, with deep red or dark green canvas. Increasingly, market umbrellas that are manufactured for use at home may be made with canvas in muted or neutral colors such as beige or khaki. You can purchase all-weather canvas fabric for your awning in most home or upholstery stores. You will also need a sewing machine, scissors, straight pins, an iron and a seam ripper to construct your new awning.

Process

• To construct a new awning, first remove the old awning from your market umbrella. Wash the canvas to remove any mildew, dust or dirt. You are going to use your canvas awning as the pattern for a new shade, so you don't want to transfer dirt onto your new fabric when your old awning pieces touch the new pieces. Use a seam ripper to carefully cut the seams of your old awning and deconstruct the material. Then press the canvas flat. Pin these pieces onto the new canvas fabric and cut them out. Then sew the new canvas together to form a new shade. Place this new shade onto the umbrella where the old sun shade was.