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.

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!!

Remove all the metallic components and wash the fabric

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/

- 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!

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!

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!

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!

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.