How to Make an Umbrella With Palm Tree Leaves

Use palm leaves to make an umbrella.

Palm leaves, or fronds, can be woven or tied together to make thatching. Thatching is used to make roofs on palapas, decorate tiki bars or make umbrellas. A palm leaf umbrella is also called a "thatch umbrella." It will take some time to arrange and tie together the fronds, but it is a simple task. Thatch or palm leaf umbrellas are fairly expensive. Gather some palm leaves and make your own at home.

Things You'll Need

• Palm leaves
• Twine
• Pruning shears
• Wooden patio umbrella
• Sharp knife
• Silicone sealant

Instructions

1. Place the palm leaves in a warm location. Allow the leaves to dry for one week. The palm leaves must not get wet during this time.

2. Lay the dried leaves on a flat surface. Turn the leaves so that they all face the same way. Overlap the branches of the leaves to form a circle.

3. Tie the branches together with twine. Weave the twine over and under the branches and tie each leaf to the next leaf until they are all secured.

4. Add a second layer of branches. Arrange the leaves in a circle over the first layer. Tie them together with twine. Secure the second row to the first row by weaving the twine in and out of the first and second layers. Repeat until you have five layers of palm leaves.

5. Place a sixth layer of leaves over the top of the others and pull the ends through the center of the thatching. Tie them together. The sixth layer should be even with the bottom of the first layer. Trim with pruning shears, if needed.

6. Remove the knob on the top of a wooden patio umbrella. Place the center of the woven palm leaves over the knob. Replace the knob.

7. Tie the layered palm leaves to the ribs of the umbrella with twine. Use a sharp knife to make 2-inch cuts in the palm leaves near each rib of the umbrella. Cut at the top center and bottom of each rib. Insert twine through the slits and wrap it around the ribs. Weave the twine through the fronds and tie tightly.

8. Seal the slits in the umbrella with silicone sealant to prevent leaks. Your palm leaf umbrella is complete.

References

• The Callaloo Company: Thatch and Rain Capes