What fabric to use when making a parasol?
I'm making a Victorian-style parasol out of an old umbrella and I was wondering if I need to get some special fabric for it.
I thought not since it's a parasol, not an umbrella it doesn't need to be water-proof and for the same reason it does not to be tight.
But I thought I would ask someone who has done this already as it is my first time 
You can pretty much use any fabric you want - although if you want to stick to trying to be historically accurate with what was used in victorian times, silk is what was used the most. However, I've also seen satin, cotton and lace used also. But, keep in mind that if you want actual protection from the sun, lace won't give you much unless you first cover the parasol in an opaque fabric, then add the lace over-top. I've even seen someone recover a parasol with shiney patent leather. 
I would like to recommend this book for you, it has incredibally detailed instructions on how to recover and repair parasols:
http://www.lulu.com/content/1746385?cid=en_google_products
Also, I'll do a little self promo here, and also tell you that I have a book up for sale on ebay currently called Umbrellas & Parasols by Jeremy Farrell. It gives a detailed history of the parasol, and also includes pictures and descriptions of various styles used during specific time periods, which would be helpful if you are trying to do one to be historically accurate to a certain period.
http://shop.ebay.com/*chelseagirl*/m.html?_dmd=1&_ipg=50&_sop=12&_rdc=1
 |
 Purple fabric parasol umbrella great for wedding favor $9.72 Time Remaining: 18h 1m Buy It Now for only: $9.72 |
 Child Size Purple Fabric Wedding Flower Girl Parasol Umbrella $7.45 Time Remaining: 21h 39m Buy It Now for only: $7.45 |
 Child Size Lemon Fabric Wedding Flower Girl Parasol Umbrella $7.45 Time Remaining: 22h 15m Buy It Now for only: $7.45 |
 Pink fabric parasol umbrella great for wedding favor $9.72 Time Remaining: 7d 15h 24m Buy It Now for only: $9.72 |
 Pink fabric parasol umbrella flower girl wedding favor $8.95 Time Remaining: 7d 16h 54m Buy It Now for only: $8.95 |
 Rose fabric parasol umbrella flower girl wedding favor $8.95 Time Remaining: 7d 16h 59m Buy It Now for only: $8.95 |
 Child White Fabric Wedding Flower Girl Parasol Umbrella $7.45 Time Remaining: 7d 20h 19m Buy It Now for only: $7.45 |
 White fabric parasol umbrella flower girl wedding favor $8.95 Time Remaining: 10d 11h 28m Buy It Now for only: $8.95 |
 White Parasol Fabric Umbrella Ideal for Brides $53.99 Time Remaining: 10d 14h 8m Buy It Now for only: $53.99 |
 Beige Parasol Fabric Umbrella Ideal for Brides $53.99 Time Remaining: 10d 14h 10m Buy It Now for only: $53.99 |
 Adult Size Black Fabric Wedding Favour Parasol Umbrella $8.20 Time Remaining: 10d 21h 8m Buy It Now for only: $8.20 |
 Child Black Fabric Wedding Flower Girl Parasol Umbrella $7.45 Time Remaining: 10d 21h 21m Buy It Now for only: $7.45 |
 Adult Size Red Fabric Wedding Favour Parasol Umbrella $8.20 Time Remaining: 11d 20h 52m Buy It Now for only: $8.20 |
 Child Red Fabric Wedding Flower Girl Parasol Umbrella $7.45 Time Remaining: 11d 20h 57m Buy It Now for only: $7.45 |
 Adult Size Pink Fabric Wedding Favour Parasol Umbrella $8.20 Time Remaining: 11d 21h 39m Buy It Now for only: $8.20 |
 Child Pink Fabric Wedding Flower Girl Parasol Umbrella $7.45 Time Remaining: 11d 21h 49m Buy It Now for only: $7.45 |
 fabric parasol umbrella great for wedding favor $7.70 Time Remaining: 12d 9h 21m Buy It Now for only: $7.70 |
 Adult Hot Pink Fabric Wedding Favour Parasol Umbrella $8.20 Time Remaining: 12d 20h 46m Buy It Now for only: $8.20 |
 Hot Pink Fabric Wedding Flower Girl Parasol Umbrella $7.45 Time Remaining: 12d 20h 53m Buy It Now for only: $7.45 |
 33 New Wedding Parasol White Fabric Bridal Umbrella $9.99 Time Remaining: 12d 21h 57m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 |
 Adult Size Orange Fabric Wedding Favor Parasol Umbrella $8.20 Time Remaining: 12d 22h 11m Buy It Now for only: $8.20 |
 Child Size Orange Fabric Wedding Flower Girl Parasol Umbrella $7.45 Time Remaining: 12d 22h 24m Buy It Now for only: $7.45 |
 Adult Light Green Fabric Wedding Favor Parasol Umbrella $8.20 Time Remaining: 13d 23h 50m Buy It Now for only: $8.20 |
 Light Green Fabric Wedding Flower Girl Parasol Umbrella $7.45 Time Remaining: 13d 23h 58m Buy It Now for only: $7.45 |
 10 x Fabric Parasols Wedding Favor Optional Colors $81.06 Time Remaining: 16d 12h 43m Buy It Now for only: $81.06 |
 10 x Classy White Fabric Parasol Umbrella Wedding Favor $81.06 Time Remaining: 16d 13h 5m Buy It Now for only: $81.06 |
 2 x Classy Pink Fabric Parasol Umbrella Wedding Favor $18.36 Time Remaining: 16d 13h 27m Buy It Now for only: $18.36 |
 Charming Orange Fabric Parasol Umbrella Wedding Favor $10.80 Time Remaining: 17d 14h 18m Buy It Now for only: $10.80 |
 Green fabric parasol umbrella great for wedding favor $9.72 Time Remaining: 18d 18h 51m Buy It Now for only: $9.72 |
 Red fabric parasol umbrella great for wedding favor $9.72 Time Remaining: 19d 8h 46m Buy It Now for only: $9.72 |
 Larruping White Handmade Eight square Fabric Parasol $21.61 Time Remaining: 19d 17h Buy It Now for only: $21.61 |
 Larruping Red Handmade Eight square Fabric Parasol $21.61 Time Remaining: 19d 17h 3m Buy It Now for only: $21.61 |
 Lot of 10 Ivory Fabric Parasols $59.99 Time Remaining: 20d 9h 17m Buy It Now for only: $59.99 |
 Charming Fuchsia Fabric Parasol Umbrella Wedding Favor $10.80 Time Remaining: 21d 15h 5m Buy It Now for only: $10.80 |
 31 x 22 Lavender Solid Color Fabric Parasol Umbrella $7.99 Time Remaining: 22d 23h 17m Buy It Now for only: $7.99 |
 LOT OF 2 ivory fabric parasols great for wedding favor $18.36 Time Remaining: 23d 13h 35m Buy It Now for only: $18.36 |
 LOT OF 2 white fabric parasols great for wedding favor $18.36 Time Remaining: 23d 13h 36m Buy It Now for only: $18.36 |
 Rose fabric parasol umbrella great for wedding favor $9.72 Time Remaining: 23d 14h 34m Buy It Now for only: $9.72 |
 Blue fabric parasol umbrella great for wedding favor $9.72 Time Remaining: 24d 12h 56m Buy It Now for only: $9.72 |
 Navy Blue Flower Pattern Fabric Parasol Wedding Favor $10.80 Time Remaining: 24d 14h 50m Buy It Now for only: $10.80 |
 Charming Black Fabric Parasol Umbrella Wedding Favor $9.72 Time Remaining: 24d 15h 37m Buy It Now for only: $9.72 |
 Wedding Fabric Parasol Bridal Umbrella With Hand Painted Plum Blossom Pattern $21.61 Time Remaining: 25d 20h 57m Buy It Now for only: $21.61 |
 Adult Size Blue Fabric Wedding Favour Parasol Umbrella $8.20 Time Remaining: 26d 21h 46m Buy It Now for only: $8.20 |
 Child Size Blue Fabric Wedding Flower Girl Parasol Umbrella $7.45 Time Remaining: 26d 22h 12m Buy It Now for only: $7.45 |
 Adult Purple Fabric Wedding Favour Parasol Umbrella $8.20 Time Remaining: 26d 22h 46m Buy It Now for only: $8.20 |
 Ivory fabric parasol umbrella flower girl wedding favor $8.95 Time Remaining: 27d 14h 1m Buy It Now for only: $8.95 |
 Adult Size Fuchsia Fabric Wedding Favour Parasol Umbrella $8.20 Time Remaining: 27d 22h 4m Buy It Now for only: $8.20 |
 Adult Size Lemon Fabric Wedding Favor Parasol Umbrella $8.20 Time Remaining: 28d 7m Buy It Now for only: $8.20 |
 Adult Size Golden Fabric Wedding Favour Parasol Umbrella $8.20 Time Remaining: 28d 12m Buy It Now for only: $8.20 |
 Ivory fabric parasol umbrella great for wedding favor $9.72 Time Remaining: 28d 13h 40m Buy It Now for only: $9.72 |