Yes, it has been raining most days recently but it hasn't been particularly windy. No - these gallant umbrellas were let down by shoddy mechanisms; unfortunately at the same time dooming me to wrestling with an unopened umbrella in the middle of a cloudburst. "Help me I'm melting..." etc.Anyway, I started wondering if anything useful could be made from the remains rather than pitching the whole lot into landfill. I thought a shopping bag would be a good idea. The fabric from a brolly would fold up nice and small to enable it to be carried around in a pocket or bag whilst still being strong and durable for heavy loads. The fact that it's waterproof would be an added benefit over the cotton type bags I 
already have. These brollies could have their day once more!
already have. These brollies could have their day once more!I've started taking the fabric off the ribs and will update how the bag making goes but having just had a little google about I've seen that I'm not the first to come up with this idea. So there you go - upcycle those brollies and equip yourself with a free waterproof shopper at the same time. Win - win I reckon. :-)
That's a good idea Ruth; I'm guessing that you'd make more than one bag from one umbrella?
ReplyDeleteHi TA. Yes - I'm thinking 2 or 3 depending what size you wanted. Also wondering about a lined one with bubble wrap for frozen stuff, although it'd no longer be compact it'd cheaper than buying a cool bag. Think a test on the insulating properties may be in order if I ever do that though. :-)
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