Parasols: When, and When Not to Recover

Todays installment of "Wow I seriously underestimate how long editing really takes, AKA: three weeks since last video." We discuss the importance of knowing what makes a parasol a good candidate to recover, because while these are accessories, but they are antiques first. There is textile and fashion history entwined with these. Bonus weird slide-showy bits of before-and-after images of my own restoration work.
My Instagram:
/ the_delineator
My Facebook page:
/ b.d.mckinney.parasol.r...
Further Reading:
- Umbrellas and Parasols by Jeremy Farrell:
www.google.com/books/edition/Umbrellas_Parasols/EdzfAAAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=0&bsq=Umbrellas%20and%20Parasols%20Jeremy%20Farrell
Typefaces and title ornamentation from The Printer's Type Case, by Jason Wickersty:
www.newblazingstarpress.com/
Unless noted, all parasols and parasol elements shown are in my private collection. Items pictured from other private collections are used with permission.
Music:
Bagatelle in E Mineur - Franz Gordon: www.epidemicsound.com
A Heart Made of Yarn - Franz Gordon: www.epidemicsound.com
Lineage - Gavin Moore: www.epidemicsound.com

[@SolveigMineo]

I just discovered your channel thanks to Nicole Rudolph and I love it. I am obsessed with the white, pink and blue umbrella that looks like ikat. There is something so special about this type of fabric pattern. It has a slight mouvement, like a vibration. It ads a bit of abstraction to a figurative pattern like flowers. Some 18th century european chinés are incredible and look timeless.

[@forced2makethisbloodyaccou355]

Ah! Yes! The mini sun umbrellas. Fabulous.

[@brandonmckinney3880]

Thank you!

[@dorigarbutt5304]

Such a GOOD and Informative and Fun video. PLEASE post MORE!

[@brandonmckinney3880]

There will definitely be more! Thank you!

[@JeffreyBaconBacon]

Thank you, Brandon. I learned a lot about parasols from just this video. I picked up an older, very solid parasol with a torn cover. I want to replace the cover with a more traditional fabric and it's faux-leather grip with real leather. I'm hoping that you have other videos that cover these processes! Thank you for the time and effort you put into educating us!

[@az_twist6267]

Thank you so much for your videos. I had not really realized how fascinating parasols were. While I would never willy-nilly "restore" any original antique without research, you've given me a desire to obtain a historic parasol (or two, or three) and to treat them with care. More videos, please.

[@brandonmckinney3880]

Thank you!

[@StarlightEater]

Took a guys eye out with a parasol when I was 19. Worked good

[@mjdc2533]

Amazingly informative. Thank you. It was a useful educational video.

[@brandonmckinney3880]

You're so welcome!

[@melusinenoArashi]

Once again thank you for the video. I'm in love with your parasols and I got a great pleasure to see these beauties. One day I will have one.

[@brandonmckinney3880]

Thanks! I am so happy you enjoyed them!

[@leoyokutan5378]

A great video! Ironically enough, I’m planning to purchase an antique parasol to have recovered. I know there are genuine collectors like you who want to keep antique umbrellas with the original canopies, so I’m making sure to find one that definitely isn’t really noteworthy to collectors. This is mostly because I thoroughly enjoy the smaller canopies with longer handles, which will work perfectly with what I intend to use it for. I want to use it as a prop for things like LARP or renaissance fairs, to make it look like some kind of eccentric wizard’s wand.🧙🏻

[@rebeccagose]

This was fantastic. Now I want a parasol.

[@brandonmckinney3880]

I'm always happy to be an enabler!

[@PrettyShepherd]

This was great! Jam-packed with so much information. Thank you! Funny thing: when you went on to show the "recovering gone wrong" you had some video of the two you're already saved, I was looking at them thinking "huh, these look really well-made to me. 🤔 I wonder what's wrong with them. Oh well. 🤷‍♀️ This man must know better, so I bet I'll get educated soon enough" 😂Little did I know, those were not the *before* images 🙈 Your work is amazing; I'm looking forward to that video on dating parasols 💕 Thanks for sharing!

[@brandonmckinney3880]

Thank you! Those parasols were super rough... I'm sad I didn't have a video camera at the time I worked on them because those would have made some good restoration vlogs!

[@Zeus_the_wizard]

I’ve been trying to make a parasol for my niece and these video %100 have helped me, thank you 🙏

[@UnpackingtheTrunkCostumes]

You are a great teacher, Brandon! I learned so much from the video and I have a whole new appreciation and respect for these wonderful creations! Thank you for putting so much time and thought into this video!

[@brandonmckinney3880]

Awww, thanks! I'm always happy when I help spread the parasol love!

[@susanserven]

Love the emerald green Vernier! What a wonderful birthday gift!!

[@brandonmckinney3880]

The Verdier is one of my treasures in my collection! It was a really, really nice birthday present. David is a keeper.

[@fawntheresa5338]

I love all of this! Thank you for this wonderful video, I am not nice to my parasols and so I don't use these beautiful dainty parasols but I still love them so much. Please share all of the beautiful antique houses and anything interesting and beautiful in your collection.

[@swannest1269]

Excellent! Thank you for your conservation efforts.

[@littlefarmhouse3953]

Here from Costube!!! Happy I found your channel, parasols have always been a love of mine 💕

[@brandonmckinney3880]

Aww, thanks!

[@JoshuaAlcock]

As somebody with a niche interest, it was fascinating to listen to you talk about yours. The production quality of this video was incredibly impressive. I hope one day to be able to share my passion with similar authority and clarity. Excellent work.

[@theniceguy011]

Yes yes yes please I need a video on parasol evolution

[@slitherywig1]

we need more parasol content im craving a history video

[@mf4376]

Another wonderful, informative video! So glad you decided to start recording

[@brandonmckinney3880]

Awww, Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed!

[@heroandflor]

Thank you for sharing your collection and knowledge with us! I really look forward to your videos

[@brandonmckinney3880]

Aww, thanks!

[@memorysjournal]

Great video! The shots you chose made it easy to see what you were talking about.

[@brandonmckinney3880]

Thank you!

[@lorib1696]

Thank you for posting this video and giving the link to the book by Jeremy Farrell. That's exactly what I've been looking for. I still haven't restored my parasol. I'll be less nervous about it once I do more research.

[@brandonmckinney3880]

That book is my favorite and I highly recommend it for anyone wanting to learn more about parasols and umbrellas! It's a great introduction.

[@ladythornrose7948]

Wonderful so informative thank you.

[@harmonygibbs7904]

This was a wonderful video. I have yet to buy an antique parasol but one day ...

[@brandonmckinney3880]

Dooooo iiiiit. And thanks!

[@liza4100]

Wow! Thank you so much for these videos! I just purchased my first parasol that I came across at an antique place. I have never seen one before and even though is not in good condition I absolutely love it! It will be great to see how do you "clean" them, remove stains etc. Thank you again for sharing your knowledge! :)

[@catalinacerceta7237]

Your videos are a joy. Thank you.

[@brandonmckinney3880]

Thank you!

[@teptime]

My Aunt had a parasol I think you'd have loved...It was black, and roundly nondescript, except that it had an attached piece emblazoned with the confederate flag, and a long, streaming tail on which was embroidered "VEO VINDICE." Aunt Ellie died in, I think, 1977. I've no idea what became of the parasol or her many other amazing antiques.

[@evelyn_r]

So pretttttyyyyyyy 💖😱💖

[@ladytaliastorm8882]

Thank you Brandon! I really enjoy your videos and I am so glad to have found you early. I look forward to seeing more.

[@brandonmckinney3880]

Thank you! I have many more to come!

[@amaltheadelacostuming]

Thank you so much for posting this, it was a wealth of information and makes potentially recovering one of my own someday slightly less daunting. Definitely can't wait for more videos =D

[@thecigman5838]

Good jobs

[@lauraguglielmo]

Top notch video as usual, super helpful and interesting! I've seen a nearly disintegrated parasol in my local thrift shop, and I'd love to get my hands on it and manage to do it justice someday

[@brandonmckinney3880]

Ooooh, I still have yet to find one in a thrift shop. I'm so jealous of people who find them there!

[@seiyuokamihimura5082]

Personally, I feel like if something can be restored to a functional matter, it should be. I repair antiques I find when I feel it can be restored without too much obvious work.

[@brandonmckinney3880]

That's great. I feel, however, that the importance of the original textiles on these parasols shouldn't be underestimated. To replace some of these irreplaceable silks would go against my principles that these are also historical objects, and these elaborately woven silks that are no longer manufactured are just as important historically as the dresses that many fashion historians admire in museum collections. Conservation would be the best route for those objects, which is unfortunately out of my reach financially, so I let them be for the future conservator. I would rather allow the right treatment for that object be possible in the future than to make the wrong move with it in haste.

[@jaynebrookes]

Hi Brandon I love your video! I thought I was the only weird person in the world who loves parasols. I have just purchased my second parasol and I will never recover it. However, the silk is flaking away in places. Is there anything I can do to stop further flaking? I have it in a dark humidity controlled room and I won’t be putting it up fully. The silk is painted and absolutely gorgeous.

[@lajoyous1568]

Loved this video, though it filled me with shame as I recalled the "funny umbrella" also known as an antique folding parasol that I played with in my ignorant youth. Little did I know that the shattered silk was repairable and that handle was supposed to bend like that.

[@brandonmckinney3880]

If it was still around I'd be saying "I'll fix it!"

[@lajoyous1568]

@@brandonmckinney3880 if it was still around, so would i....sadly it is long gone.

Hello I have broken the base of handle what would you use to glue it back . Not sure if plastic or bone it is beige color . I hope you can advise my what glue to use if plastic . TY for the video 🥰

Hello I purchase a folding parasol and some wood ribs was broken . I try to vous but is it not fixable . what wood can I use to fix it . Thank you love your video and saw you on FR .

[@babalina]

Hi Brandon i bought some vintage umbrellas or parasols with nice handles at an auction. However, two of them, are missing the the upper mechanism or catch that locks the umbrella open. Do you have any idea on how i can fix it or even buy the part? i opened up the umbrella, and there is just a slot... i don't see anything ''stuck'' in the slot, it is like missing

[@math_plant]

I was looking for a frame, people suggestes buying an old one and my heart dropped. They are beautiful, but putting my hands on an antique object is super scary, that's why I'll buy a new frame and cover it from scratch.

[@brandonmckinney3880]

It's personal preference. If you want to work with a new frame, great. The purpose of this video was not to encourage people to recover antique parasols. In fact, there are so many pieces people have approached me about over the years I've actually advised against recovering. People do not go into a museum and look at its garments that are professionally conserved, and tell them that it's faded or ripped, so they should make a new skirt, or a new garment, taking a pattern from the original, its guts pressed flat - why should something adjacent to that dress - an accessory, like a parasol, be any different with one's approach? It's why care has to be taken into buying choices. I do not buy to simply recover and "have something pretty." I buy because I love these objects, and I restore them when they are in desperate need, as the examples of my work I used in this video can attest. This is why I'm starting to step away from taking client commissions, because I've had prospective clients approach me about pieces that I'd rather not recover. It's about knowing when to take that step, and when it's best to leave it as-is. As I suggested in the video, the ones that are best candidates are those that have fabrics remaining on them that can still have equivalent modern-day fabrics acquired to replace the shredded original (One exception can be made, if, the original material is not exemplary, and the frame can be recovered in a style appropriate to that piece, IE can be identified as having been used on identical or extremely similar style parasol frames in the same period. This is why things like having a visual source file are important with these, because then you develop an eye for what looks 'right' for a particular frame.) Work with a new frame, by all means. I'm not going to judge. If you're scared of handling an antique, then don't do it, because that also means you'll not be able to handle it properly. Once you're comfortable handling something like that, then you'll feel more confident in what you're doing with it.

[@math_plant]

@@brandonmckinney3880 I completely agree, I'd rather leave handing antique objects to an expert, cause I love them too much and would be scared to do something wrong. Intresting video!

[@juniper5354]

What do you do if there are just small Holes in the cover?

[@brandonmckinney3880]

Leave it alone! I have covers that have big splits in them but I'll not mess with them because I cannot find silk to replace it for love nor money. My goal is not to use these original pieces, but to preserve them.

[@LeeHowell100]

Hi Do you have an email that I could send you an image of a parasol that I'm trying to find out about it please? Thanks.

[@surfsideRox]

Where can you talk?