I am needing to make a tube for my Abbott's Mutilated Parasol. If I can find something suitable I would really prefer to use something other than paper or cardboard. What would be a good material to make it from?

Thanks for your suggestions!

Bamboo dinner mat works well. Also you can use Plasticized sign paper.

Ooh....I like both of those Richard! Can bamboo mats be cut to size....or would I have to find one the perfect length?

I will look into the plasticized sign paper. I have never bought any, but I am assuming I could find it at a sign shop.

You can find Bamboo mats in all sizes and shapes. If you cut it to size, edge the sides with Bias tape or something similar to seal the edges. You could even take a good colored duct tape to do the edges.

Richard

Thanks Richard! That's sounds like a fabulous idea!

Regan, check your post in the silks section, Dick Oslund gave a wonderful suggestion. Old Roller Blind Window shades. They do not need hemming after cutting to size. May come in some other shades besides white.

http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......art=0#16

If you go the mat idea, then get a huge mat that is used to put on the beach so you don't have to lay on the sand. It can be cut and sewn if you use masking tape to hold it together. Mask off the border and cut it, then sew allowing for the stitching to hold the mat together. Sew through the Bias Tape as well. I is kind of difficult, but it can be done.

I looked for those dinner mats, they are nowhere to be found in my part of the country.

Bill, thanks so much! I just read Dick's idea and I love it! Now I have several things to choose from and look for while I am waiting for my parasol. According to Greg at Abbott's the new parasol is 28" from tip to tip. Dick says his old model is 26" long, and he uses a 20" tube. I guess I need to go with one around 22" long.