from umbrella to brella . . .
After gusty rain or snow in New York, people abandon their newly built-to-break busted umbrellas all over the streets and sidewalks throughout the city.
Risking appearing as a bag lady, I go out, scoop them up, and bring them home. They get “deboned”, with the often mangled skeletons sent to the recycling bin and the fabric skins to the wash.
Two basic sizes of bags are then made - the big and the small. Big umbrellas make big brella bags; small ones make small bags. Each size has a standard (approximate) body size, while the handle (h) length may vary.
All bags are created 100% from umbrella parts. This includes the exterior, the interior lining, the bottom patches, the closure strap, and the tags. Sometimes, umbrellas have sustained injuries while on the streets and will require patch(es). After the bag is assembled, they are washed again and ironed with low heat. They all roll up into neat little bundles and close with the original umbrella strap closure, making them your best travel companion - always there and ready to carry something.
anatomy of a brella bag
signature blue multi band stitching on handles
exterior hole patch matches bag, with (4) layers of signature blue stitching
original umbrella closure relocated for bag closure
interior hole patch matches interior handle lining, with (4) layers of signature blue stitching and reinforced original seams
second umbrella fabric as interior handle lining
brella bag id tags, made from umbrella fabric
outside
inside
see the brellas
17”
9”
© car stuff nyc + caroline razook | 2014