The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1883-11-10
How to Cover ParasOls and Umbrellas.

| l.
The majority of ladies have slowed
away in some neglected corner or
darkened closet one or two dilapidated
| parasols, whose days of usefulness
| have long since been numbered with
the past, but which, on account of
| pleasing associations or some superior
ity in frame or handle, have not been
completely banished from the house
| hold.
What shall be done with these SUPER
anuated reminders of 1.-The merry
months of beauty, song and flowers"
IS always perplexing and annoying
question. If they are sent to the man
ufacturer to be recovered the proba-
bilities are that they will cost in the
end nearly if not quite as much as a
new one and the result seems scarcely
to Justify the expenditure.
But why not do the recovering at
home Nothing is simpler, nothing
can be more readily performed by the
average needle-woman. By so doing
many a discarded parasol or rusty
umbrella (for they too are included in
our category can be speedily restored
to its pristine glory, and while faunt-
ing gaSly in the summer sunshine or
struggling amid wintry storms, never
sbetray to spectators the skillful finoers
that wrought its transformation. There
is an old proverb that says, "a penny
saved IS penny earned" and the
pleasing consciousness of having OBJ
tanned that desirable end will amply
compensate for the time and labor ex-
pended upon its accomplishment, while
we venture to assert that the parasol
recovered at home will Weld n deeper
and more lasting pleasure than that
which it afforded when first purchased.
without care or forethought. in some
fashionable shop.
The first step in the proceedings is to
measure the parasol, in order to form
correct estimate of the material re-
quired to cover it. To ascertain this,
measure the lowest and largest part.
taking half of the given length, with
half of one of the quarters, for the
necessary amount. Suppose, for in
stance, your parasol measures three
full yards around, the silk or satin
needed will be half that quantity, or
one yard and half, adding half of one
OF the pieces-in all probability about
one yard and three-quarters.
Having obtained the length, measure
through the center of one of the quar-
ters-that is, from top to bottom-and
the number of inches indicated bv the
tape will designate the required width.
Now detach the silk from the frame,
being careful not to stretch or draw it
out of shape, as upon this stage of the
work depends much of its ultimate
success. Rip the quarters apart, OBJ
serving the same precaution in regard
to stretching. Select the one in best
condition as pattern, and cut from
the material as many pieces as the old
cover contained. These pieces must
be laid horizontally upon the goods,
the broadest part to the selvedge, and
alternated from side to side. in order to
economic the silk. Having secured
the requisite number narrow hem
must then be laid along the
selvedge edge before they are
basted together Sew the seams up on
the right side as narrowly as the ma
terial will permit-indeed, merely a
scant holding of the silk is all that is
really necessary. Turn on the wrong
side and basic as closely and evenly as
possible; then stitch again, allowing
nearly quarter of an inch for the seam.
When all are finished, thread a large
needle with strong cotton, pass it
through each seam n seams breadth
from the top, and draw tightly to-
gether.
Cut circle of silk or muslin about
six inches in diameter, perforate the
center, and place on the upper part of
the frame. Still retaining the cover on
the wrong side, insert the stick through
the small aperature, and drawing the silk
firmly about it, wind the cotton thread
two or three times around the small
groove which is found at the top of
every parasol, and tie securely.
Turn the cover over on the right side
and fasten the seams to the ends of the
wires by attaching them to the small
holes designed for that purpose. Each
seam should also be sewed to the ribs
in two other places to avoid their Slip
ping beyond the wires, and with these
last stitches ends the labor of parasol
or umbrella recovering .-Hmper's
Bazar.