Pesky Parasols

[Miss Waterman]

I am in a desperate need for a GOOD looking parasol, I would love to be able to find a reproduction in LINEN or COTTON of the very popular shape found in many fashion plates (I cannot for the life of me remember the name of it..it's the rather odd shaped one). I am also willing to settle for a vintage or antique parasol, perhaps an edwardian one, in again a natural fiber, preferably not silk. I've seen many on Ebay, but sometimes they cost a good arm and leg, maybe even your first born child.

I don't want one of those typical lace parasols used for civil war or cheapy costumes, they tend to break and don't necessarily block the sun like I would hope.

Thank you kindly for any help!

[dawnluckham]

Nehelena Patterns had some lovely Pagoda reproduction parasols. I can’t recall what the fabric covering for them was but I do remember thinking they were very nice when I saw them in Bath last September. I’ve checked their website and I don’t see the parasols listed. Perhaps if you contacted them and asked about the Pagoda parasols/umbrellas? www.neheleniapatterns.com/english/englishsite.html

An Edwardian parasol would be lovely if you can find one sturdy enough and within a reasonable price range. Remember that the Edwardians were very inspired by the Regency/Georgian/Federal era with their Directoire influenced fashions.

My own parasol is silk. It’s a modern parasol but it’s lovely. Several years ago handbag designer, Deborah Lewis, came up with the concept of parasols for modern women. They are heavily influenced by Edwardian parasols and they’re made of the finest materials – beautiful fabrics, beautiful brass fittings and wooden handles. They are long, 31” but they break in the middle to fold in half to fit into slots designed in her handbags. I have actually found a fashion plate that shows a Regency era woman holding a folded in half parasol, similar to my own. I purchased my parasol on eBay.


And Welcome.

Edit to add: You might want to ask at Spencer's Mercantile. She was "working on it" last season. I don't see anything listed on the web site, but it's certainly worth asking about.

www.spencersmercantile.com/Shopping%20Index.html

[esther]

The parasols that are for sale at Spencer's Mercantile are lovely. They are not listed on their website, but they do sell them. They have long wooden handles and the correct pagoda shape.

I saw them in person at their booth at last year's Fair at New Boston. I considered buying one for myself, but they cost a pretty penny and I decided against it.

If budget is a concern, I would recommend scouring eBay and local antique shops for a Victorian or Edwardian parasol. If the canopy is in bad shape, you can often times buy the parasol inexpensively and recover it yourself.

I don't know of any other sources for new parasols that are appropriate for the regency era. All of the other new parasols that I've seen have plastic and/or metal construction. Or they are the ones made from battenburg lace, which is not appropriate for regency re-enacting. If I remember correctly, battenburg lace is a Victorian creation. Perhaps you could get one of these battenburg lace parasols and recover it? if you do decide to go this route, I would recommend using a heavy silk fabric like tafetta for recovering.

An interesting sidenote - the spokes of a regency parasol would have been made from whale baleen, often times with carved wood or bone handles.

[Miss Waterman]

How interesting! Baleen! What a notion, however; I don't think it is entirely appropriate for modern day sensibilities to parade around with something of the sort...I already often get chided for my fox fur.

Thank you all for the lovely suggestions!! I would die for a nice pagoda shape..how much exactly is a pretty penny?

As for recovering them; If you know how to do it or someone who does, I would be most obliged if you pointed me in the general direction. I have been frequently wondering exactly how difficult it could be, as I have seen my fair share of LOVELY bases with canopies torn into bits..

[esther]

I'm afraid I do not know of anyone that re-covers parasols. After googling the subject, I did come across this blog describing the recovering process:

mantuadiary.blogspot.com/2011/03/parasol.html

It does not look overly difficult, but I can see how fitting the canopy just right might be a little fussy. If you're even a little bit off in the fitting, I expect the fabric will not lay properly. But considering how much cheaper getting a parasol through this method is, I think it's worth a try.

[esther]

The parasols from Spencer's Mercantile cost $175.00. They are a specialty item made with a beautiful eye for period-appropraite detail and craftsmanship, so I understand the cost for the parasols. They really spared no expensive at making the parasols look correct, but I could not justify the cost for myself when I saw them at the Fair at New Boston last year. They are lovely in person though.

[pinkweeds]

I've seen people re-make umbrella's into parasols by removing the top and using it as a pattern to create a new one.

[ladyirish]

Contact Kay Gnagey and Marta Vincent at originals-by-kay.com. They sell recovered parasols and will also do special recovers for folks. They're main focus is the American civil war but they are very knowledgeable. If you're wanting to recover one yourself, they're very helpful! I hope that helps some!

[oriane]

I've seen oriental bamboo and paper parasol sold by several different venders at various regency oriented events. Also, I've seen reenactors carrying them. Are these appropriate to use for Regency or late 18th century reenacting? Yes or no? And why or why not?

Thank you.