Some people take my umbrella class and then can’t remember how they did the tips when they go home and make the second umbrella. Or, they purchase the umbrella and pattern but the tips have them perplexed. Well, it isn’t hard, but it’s the part of the umbrella instruction that usually needs the most explanation.
So, I am putting photos of the step by step process here.
When you have all 8 panels sewn together, you will put the completed umbrella onto the frame. Sew the shaft opening using the purse stitch as shown in the instruction manual.
The tip should be placed with the ball side pointed upward toward the top of the umbrella about 3/8” away from the edge.
Pin the tips to the ends as shown. The ball part of the tip should point toward the top of the umbrella.
You can see from this photo that this individual has used 2 fabrics for her umbrella. She has an every other panel design, so you can see the 2 different panels that are side by side. Put the safety pin through the wrong side of one panel (from the underside) and then put the pin through the hole in the tip and then down through the other panel.
This is the next step, in the photo above. Turn the tip downward and then find the corresponding rib under the umbrella where the 2 panels are sewn together. The rib directly under that is the right one. Place the end of the rib into the opening of the tip. Slip the tip onto the rib. If you have to pull really hard to get the tip onto the rib, then you need to unpin the tip and move the tip downward. If it goes on too easily then you need to move the tip upward, toward the shaft.
Remove the tip from the rib after you have done this with all 8 because now you need to sew the tip on and remove the pin.
Double thread your needle and make a knot. Put the needle up through the panel from the wrong side of the fabric up. Pull it up to the knot. Then put the needle through the hole in the tip that the pin is going through. Then put the needle through the other panel, and pull it through. Your needle is now on the wrong side of the fabric. Repeat this 3 times.
Then fold the tip so that it is pointing downward. The fabric is folded.
Put the needle through all of the thicknesses where the fabric is folded.
Then go down through all the thicknesses.
Go through the hole in the tip again, and then bring the needle back up to the right side of the fabric again. Do this 3 times.
Pinch the fabric together and wrap the thread around 3 or 4 times. Pinch it together and stitch and make a knot.
If you still have questions, of course, call us!
