FROM UMBRELLA TO SWIMMING SHORTS

by giorgio gasco

1.5K2112

Intro: FROM UMBRELLA TO SWIMMING SHORTS

The Netherlands are famous for Tulips, Stroopwafels, mills, but also for the rainy weather!

Dutch people don't seems that worried though and walking on the streets you suddenly see a popping out of colourful umbrellas.

Certainly for an Italian spirit like me at the beginning was a bit of a shock but It didn't take very long for me to realised the potential of it.

During these tutorial I will guide you throw the realisation of a swimming short starting from a broken umbrella.

STEP 1: FIND a BROKEN UMBRELLA

As I said in the Netherlands it Is pretty easy to find umbrellas on the floor but I'm sure it is possible quite everywhere, consider that:

- every umbrellas are good for these (may be not the transparent one).

- from each umbrella you can make 1 swimming short!

- choosing the right umbrella means choosing the pattern of your future swimming shorts.

So let's get started!!

STEP 2: CLEANING

Remove all the metallic components and wash the fabric

STEP 3: PATTERN MAKING

There are many ways to make a pattern.

My suggestion is to take same an old shorts that still fits you in size and mark the outline as template.

below a valid example:

- https://www.instructables.com/id/shorts/

STEP 4: LAYOUT

- Divide the octagon in the middle in order to work on the right and Left side of your shorts separately.

- position the pattern on the fabric according to the drawing you want to obtain (I made a sketch first just to have an idea)

- mark the outline of the pattern and start cutting.

And don't worry umbrella's fabric don't frays!

STEP 5: SEW

After created all the pieces we start sewing them together.

We join in a chronological way the front, the back and just after the inseam.

But before sewing the side we have to make the pockets!

STEP 6: POCKET

Once again we are going to cut out the pattern of a pocket from the left over of the umbrella.

- remember to integrate the velcro closure typical of the umbrella, it will be useful to wrap your swimming shorts after!

STEP 7: STRING

I really wanted to use only components taken from the umbrella but I didn't make it for the string.
From the moment I break in the rule I allowed you, than, to use an elastic band if you prefer!

STEP 8: Enjoy!


the aim of project is to recycled old and broken umbrella to create new objects taking advantage of the main proprieties. I have sewed this pair of swimming shorts using the waterproof fabric of just one umbrella. the result is a light, funny, coloured and quickly drying shorts.

13 Comments

MisterM 6 years ago

Hey congrats! Going to be walking the streets looking for abandoned umbrellas now.

OrnellaS3 6 years ago

Very good idea! I made it with a light blue umbrella. It wasn't so nice as yours, but...

38ren 6 years ago

Creative and colorful :)

buddywon 6 years ago

I had never thought to put a pattern vertically on a door or wall either. Great tip. Save my back!!

doing2much 6 years ago

Very cool - and resourceful! You got my vote, too :)

kekova25 6 years ago

This is brilliant. I live in Brussels, the city of abandoned broken umbrellas! I actually kept one at home waiting for inspiration to do something with it, but it's transparent so it won't be a good bathing suit LOL.

You got my vote! (I'm new to this, what do you get if people vote for you?)

giorgio gasco 6 years ago

The transparent version is the future!

Thanks a lot for your vote and I suggest you to try to apply as well to some contest.

For each contest there are numerous important prices; take a look under the voice 'prizes' (top left) or at the bottom of the page.

buddywon 6 years ago

brilliant. I have an old sentimental brolly and had never thought to repurpose it. I have now a project. Thank you. M