Lantern rainbow umbrella

Make your own rainbow umbrella lantern that will amaze both indoors and outdoors during a lantern parade.
This colourful lantern is not only a great eye-catcher, but also a wonderful way to create atmospheric decorations together with the family. Ideal not only for St Martin's Day or lantern parades, but also as a creative room decoration! Follow our detailed instructions and get ready for a craft project that guarantees fun and impressive results!

Step 1: Create and cut out the template
To start, print out the template for the umbrella. Carefully cut out the template and transfer the outlines onto white craft cardboard sheet. Make sure you work precisely to achieve an optimum fit later on. Then cut out the drawn lines with sharp scissors.

Step 2: Attach the vellum paper
Continue with the transparent look: Cut the vellum paper to size and stick it onto the cut-out umbrella parts. Make sure that the vellum paper lies flat to allow light to shine gently through the lanterns later on.

Step 3: Assemble the umbrella
Now cut three strips of craft cardboard sheet to the desired width. These will be used to hold the two parts of the umbrella together at the sides and bottom. Leave a 1 cm margin on the long sides and fold them over. Cut the folded edges evenly so that they follow the curve of the umbrella and carefully glue the strips in place.

Step 4: Attach the stem
Cut out a piece of craft cardboard sheet for the umbrella's stem. Cut about 1 cm into the centre of the upper edge of the stem. Fold these two strips in opposite directions and finally attach them securely to the bottom end of the umbrella.

Step 5: Create rainbow drops
Attach the decorative drops of rainbow-coloured crêpe paper to nylon threads. Use a needle to pull the threads through the parasol from below and knot them tightly. Pull small balls of crêpe paper onto the threads and secure them with additional knots.

Step 6: Handle and stability
Use the awl to punch two holes in the upper edges of the centre pieces of the umbrella. Bend the lantern wire into a handle, feed the ends through the holes and bend them slightly to secure the wire.

Step 7: Light up the lanterns
Last but not least, it's time to light up your umbrella lantern. Place a candle, a tea light or a battery-powered chain of lights in the lanterns. Please note that real candles can pose a fire risk, so LED tea lights or chains of lights are a safe and recommended alternative to keep the umbrella lit safely. This will give your work of art the final glow.

Congratulations, you have successfully crafted your colourful rainbow umbrella lantern! Visit our online shop to order the right materials and realise your creative projects.
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