How To Decorate An Outdoor Umbrella With Fringe (No Sewing Required)

Fancy patio umbrellas are an easy way to dress up your patio or deck but a lot of them are really expensive. Fortunately, it's really easy to make your own DIY fringe patio umbrella for a fraction of the cost and no sewing required.

I have decided that I have a thing for fancy fringe umbrellas.

I think it started with a Balinese umbrella I saw at Pier 1 a few years ago.

As soon as I saw it, I just had to buy one.

And even though it's not very practical (I have to bring it in when it rains), I just love it!

Unfortunately, it's not available anymore…otherwise I might have bought more than one of them 🙂

Then I happened to see this glam fuchsia pink umbrella* with white fringe and fell in love with it, too. The thing is…it is still available. But it's way out of my budget for my deck makeover!

So I decided to make one myself.

Fortunately, making a DIY fringe patio umbrella is actually really easy. There isn't even any sewing involved.

Supplies

• Polyester fringe*. You'll need a little less than 10 yards for a 9 foot umbrella. Polyester stands up to the outdoor elements better than cotton.
• Rubber gloves
• Permanent fabric glue*
• Patio umbrella. I used this scalloped umbrella*.
• Alligator clips* or clothes pins
• Rick rack trim*

1 | Add Fringe To The Patio Umbrella

1. To start, unwrap the fringe so that it's laid out straight and easy to pull. That helps to prevent it from accidentally getting glue on it.

2. Put on some rubber gloves. The fabric glue is really sticky! I used disposable ones so I could change them out every once in a while.

3. Add a bead of glue along the edge of the umbrella for about 6 inches. Starting at a point or indentation helps to hide the join in the trim when you're finished.

4. Stick the top of the fringe to the glue. Be careful not to get the fringe caught in the glue.

5. Hold the fringe in place at the start and end of the glue with alligator clips or clothes pins.

6. Continue around the umbrella, adding glue and fringe in 6 inch increments.

7. When you get to the end cut off the fringe where it joins the beginning piece. Then add a dab of glue on the cut end to prevent it from fraying.

8. Let the glue dry before removing the alligator clips.

2 | Add Rick Rack To The Top Of The Patio Umbrella

Adding rick rack around the top flap of the umbrella isn't absolutely necessary, but it does provide a little extra embellishment.

The process is basically the same as it was for adding the fringe.

1. Unravel the rick rack from the package.

2. Add a bead glue along the edge of the top of the umbrella for about 6 inches.

3. Stick the rick tack trim onto the glue. I found that it stuck pretty well on its own, so I didn't need the alligator clips to hold it in place. But you can use them if you want to make sure it sticks.

4. Continue around the top flap of the umbrella, adding glue and rick rack trim in 6 inch increments.

5. When you get to the end, cut off the rick rack. Add a dab of glue on the cut end to prevent it from fraying.

6. Let the glue dry.

3 | Enjoy Your DIY Fringe Patio Umbrella

I love the finished version of my DIY fringe patio umbrella.

In fact, I liked it so much, I made another one.

Because the fringe is polyester, it should stand up to the elements better than a cotton fringe would. Which makes these fancy DIY fringe patio umbrellas a little more practical than my Balinese umbrella (I bring it in when it's going to rain).

Other Deck and Patio Ideas You Might Like

• How To Paint Metal Patio Furniture
• 15 Small Patio Decorating Ideas That Will Turn Your Tiny Deck Into An Outdoor Oasis
• The Best Homemade Deck Cleaner

Have comments or questions on our DIY fringe patio umbrella? Tell us in the section below.