Parasol Fabric Question (& an introduction)

[GillianF]

Hello all!

My name is Gillian, and after having been a lurker for several years (goodness, that's embarrassing) I decided it was time to stop being silly and just register. I guess I ought to give a quick bit about myself so that I'm not just some odd stranger asking for help  I live in California and am currently in college. Someone started to teach me to sew in scouts when I was 10 or so, but the lessons ended at "here's how to lay out the pattern", when we were moved on to the next great thing (wish I could remember what that was). Six or seven years later, I picked up the (horrendously incorrect medieval costume pattern) pieces and proceeded to finish it, learning how to sew along the way. How I made the change to 'civil war era' I will never know, but once I found this forum, there was no going back. Sewing has since become a terrible addiction in the best of ways.
I've been to one reenactment at Roaring Camp in 2010 and had a lovely time, but have yet to rework the fit of my dresses as I found out during the event that my corset wasn't quite fit right *sigh*. I guess I can't complain though, as I'm quite happy with them as my first attempts, and nothing was painful (thank goodness-it would have been a very long weekend otherwise). I have photos of them here, as I'm guessing you all like pictures as much as I do, and it's always nice to see those you are meeting, even if it is over the internet.
http://s28.photobucket.com/albums/c201/gillybilly727/Sewing/Clothing/

Now for the actual question:

I recently got a parasol off of ebay (marquis, I believe is the type) and it has me perplexed. I believe I understand the mechanics of recovering it, and most of the cover and lining are intact (yay!) which ought to help, but it was my understanding that parasols of this type were covered in black silk taffeta and lined in china silk. The one I got, however, seems to be covered in satin with a brownish/olive tint to it. I can write the color off to fading through the years (as the lining is decidedly black), but the satin has me stumped. Was this normal and I've just missed all the examples, or did just get the odd duck?

I have pictures here:
http://s28.photobucket.com/albums/c201/gillybilly727/Sewing/

If closer pictures/ different angles/ anything else would help, let me know and I'll get them as soon as possible. I would just like to recover it as close to original as possible, and this seemingly satin material goes against everything that I have read with regards to recovering this type of parasol. Any light you might be able to shed on this would be beyond appreciated, and if I've missed some terribly basic bit of parasol information, feel free to send the dunce cap my way  (And don't worry, I do intend to turn a new lower handle and color match it to the rest of the handle & finial, I just haven?t decided what shape would look best/have been most common with the plain, stick-like finial)

Sorry for writing a short novel, and thank you in advance for any help.

Sincerely,
Gillian F.

[Marta Vincent]

I recently got a parasol off of ebay (marquis, I believe is the type) and it has me perplexed. I believe I understand the mechanics of recovering it, and most of the cover and lining are intact (yay!) which ought to help, but it was my understanding that parasols of this type were covered in black silk taffeta and lined in china silk. The one I got, however, seems to be covered in satin with a brownish/olive tint to it. I can write the color off to fading through the years (as the lining is decidedly black), but the satin has me stumped. Was this normal and I've just missed all the examples, or did just get the odd duck?

Hi Gillian,  First a question. Is that lighter colored bit at the end of the handle the original end, is it a broken piece, etc?

Your parasol 'may' be slightly post CW period, say ca '64/66. The heavier 'club' handle indicates that time frame.  Many of that era were covered in silk satin, and you can certainly use that to recover it.  You can also use taffeta if you prefer.  If that handle is all original I would not change it.  If you really want it all black, then sand it down and paint it black.  Much easier than making a new one.

When you make your cover & lining, the pattern you make will be used for both - same size - except the lining is a bit shorter if it is swagged like your original.  Remember to cut so the straight grain of the fabric is straight up the center of the wedge and follow the diagram Brandon posted.  His instructions are based on ones I developed several years ago, and still use.

[GillianF]

My apologies, it appears that the photo of the handle end did not make it into that album, it is there now though.
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c201/gillybilly727/Sewing/100_4176.jpg

It looked to me like there was supposed to be a ball/onion/some other shape slipped over the unpainted  dowel-like piece at the end, as nothing appears to have been broken. That ball/onion/etc. is the bit that I figured would need to be made and attached, as the little bone disk-shaped piece that came on it (and fell off the moment I picked the parasol up - it does not fit the least bit tightly) does not fully cover the light unpainted portion, as can be seen in the listing:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/360417909305?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2648
I could very well be wrong, but I figured that were it original, it would have fit snugly and ended at the start of the painted section.

Thank you so much for the advice on the fabric. Having to hunt down a light weight silk satin here in the land of polyester had me quite worried, especially since I have no idea what weight I would even want to look for were I to order it online. The ability to use black taffeta without compromising accuracy is such a relief.
I have seen the diagram Brandon posted, and actually have it copied into a file along with a couple pages of information and hints from several of your posts, just waiting to be put to use (and goodness am I excited!).

I've been known to drool over the precision of your work, so your expertise is beyond appreciated.
Thank you again for all your advice,

Gillian

[Marta Vincent]

You are right about the end of the handle.  A ball is appropriate, and I thing you can find the right size wooden ball at Hobby Lobby or Michaels,  You'll have to drill out the part that fits onto the handle and paint it black, but that's what my hubby does.  There are a couple of sizes of wooden balls available. The little one works to replace the finial on a marquis (about 1/2" diameter), and the larger one works for the handle.  It'll be about 1" in diameter.

[GillianF]

*smacks forehead as the lightbulb goes on* And this would be why i love the forum. Were it not for your suggestion I would have spent this coming weekend trying to make a perfectly circular ball. It always amazes me how a simple thought such as a precut one eludes me. I don't believe that there is a Hobby Lobby around here, but we do have a Michael's, so it appears that I will be on a mission come Saturday. Yay!!
Thank you so much!