How to Repair Paper Parasols
Paper parasols come in many sizes ranging from decorative drink embellishments to fancy Japanese rice paper parasols. If you have a genuine vintage paper parasol, find a professional Wagasa repairman instead of attempting to repair the parasol yourself; or give it a try if the hole is a very small blemish, and especially if the paper parasol holds no significant historical or monetary value.
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Things You'll Need
- Ruler
- Pencil
- Tissue paper or rice paper
- Scissors
- Liquid fabric starch
- Paper towel
- Bowl
- Number 10 or smaller art paintbrush
Instructions
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1
Open the paper parasol. You want to find tissue, or rice paper, in a similar color or print, to match the paper parasol. Visit specialty paper stores, or stationary stores, to locate rarer prints. You might have to compromise and use a similar pattern if you can't find the exact match.
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2
Use the ruler to measure the hole, or the rip, on your paper parasol that needs to be repaired. Cut, with the scissors, two pieces of tissue paper, or rice paper, ¼-inch wider and longer than the hole or rip you are intending to repair.
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3
Pour ¼-cup liquid fabric starch into a bowl, and dip the pieces of tissue into the liquid fabric starch until the paper is saturated. Blot the wet tissue paper with a folded flat paper towel to remove the excess fabric starch.
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Lay the wet tissue, or rice paper, over the top of the hole and use the art brush to smooth the wet rice paper, flat over the blemish. Blot the patch with the folded flat paper towel to continue to remove excess liquid fabric starch.
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Place the second piece of wet tissue beneath the paper parasol on the underside of the hole or blemish you are repairing. Use the art paintbrush to smooth the wet paper and work out the wrinkles. Blot the paper patch with the flat, folded paper towel if necessary, to remove excess liquid fabric starch. Allow the patch to thoroughly dry before closing the parasol.
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Tips & Warnings
White school glue can be used in the place of liquid fabric starch, but it won't dry as smoothly and has a tendency to dry out and become brittle, and flaking off. Liquid fabric starch is carried in drug stores, grocery stores and local discount stores such as Walmart.
