What could I do with military surplus parachutes?

Question

I have the opportunity to acquire one or more military surplus parachutes. Besides using it for parachuting (which I will NOT be doing), what else could I do with them?

Swan Road Designs · Answer

If you have a yard with large, mature trees, you could anchor the parachute at a number of points at the perimeter (to high in the trees and outboard areas) and create a huge garden umbrella/canopy. Check out this link for some ideas: https://www.google.com/search?q=make+a+parachute+tent&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=hN3OVIXDDIubyASrqYCQCg&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAg&biw=1280&bih=673#imgdii=_ Have fun.

Susan Mayne O'Keefe · Answer

You can make bags out of them, as they do with old sails from sail boats. With that much fabric, you could make several lined/reversible bags. You could donate them or sell them!

Jodie Carlson · Answer

You can anchor it between trees or poles to create a shady area for picnics or play spaces. Anchor it to the ground with a pole in the middle, and an arch doorway- voila a tent.

Cheryl Markus Reynolds · Answer

Having never seen one up close, I'm not sure of the weight of the material but I see a few possibilities. Garden wind socks, decorative flags, table clothes, shower curtains, window treatments, maybe even clothing. You could experiment with different ways to color it using fabric dyes, paint, permanent marker, homemade dyes from food, etc.

Darla · Answer

They would be great for bed canopies or reading nook 'tents'. Also consider donating one to a school, gym or organization for developmentally disabled people. The play 'parachutes' for circle exercise are popular and expensive.

Henrietta Retired-- Love Gardening · Answer

````YEARS AGO ```` I HAVE BEEN TOLD, THEY WERE MADE OF SILK. WOMEN IN THE LATE 40'S, MADE THEIR WEDDING DRESSES FROM THEM.

Betty Fancher · Answer

My grandma made all her granddaughters simple nightgowns with one many years ago. The necks and armholes were each bound with bias tape. Each child had different colored bias tape, for ease in telling them apart !

Mabeline · Answer

Watch the movie 'the holiday' - a father makes his two daughters the most enchanting tent in their bedroom with a parachute! One tent outside during the summer months would be fun. Great for reading and naps! Otherwise, you can always send one to me!

DJ · Answer

Not sure how much weight they will take. But how about a hammock and sun shade.

Kimberly Mechtly Forsgren · Answer

I use the one I have to make a 'special tent' under my trampoline for the grandkids. We have special treats (cookies, donut, forbidden stuff ha) and still jump on the trampoline with no problems. Just spread it out on top and use string to tie up a door...good shade and the feeling of protection like a tent!!

Jodi · Answer

Back in the early 70's I had a friend who had an older brother who we all knew was the coolest person on the planet. He had one of these parachutes hanging over his bedroom! You literally walked into the room and had to find the slit cut in the chute to enter. It was the coolest place to be!

Swan Road Designs · Answer

Another thought...with all the interest in getting away from using plastic shopping bags, you could cut the parachute up into portions large enough to sew handled shopping bags. Parachutes are, intentionally, quite durable so would make very good bags for carrying groceries, etc.

Many years ago, probably at least 30, I made about a half dozen grocery shopping bags with handles out of rip-stop nylon. They're still going strong. Parachute material would probably be just as durable.

Michelle R · Answer

Curtains, shower curtains, laundry bags. Sun sails, kites, windsocks. Awnings, play tents. Toys storage hammock, tablecloths, lamp shades, hanging lamp shade, candle shades, ghosts for Halloween.

Beryl Smith · Answer

Bedding, dye them, make pillowslips & sheets.

Susan-Amber Springer · Answer

Jodi in Bourbonnais said what I was going to say! I was trying to find a chute the whole time I was in college in the 70s and ended up decorating in another style--India print bedspreads. The sunsail and kids' tent ideas are pretty neat!

Colimbia1 · Answer

Where do you find them? If I had one I would use part of it to make a 'ceiling' in my laundry room.

Marion Nesbitt · Answer

Sky is the limit. Lots of great suggestions have been given. What fabric are they made of? You could make some art /bedding by using a watered silk look..

Judy · Answer

I was thinking what a sweet canopy bed you could make. One of my Christmas catalogs had many 'chairs' that looked like tents with cushions hanging from trees. and every child loves a tent. I think stenciling would be awesome on that material, something light and whimsical. The idea under the trampoline was something I had thought about myself. I thought it might be tooo hot.

Alice Shockley · Answer

Two words: Hammer pants.
 
:-)

Karne Queen · Answer

perhaps tablecloth or table runners or even dining chair covers and if really slick maybe a hammock, billowing outdoor curtains on a porch would be fabulous.

Glenda Pino · Answer

Well if I had one, I'd find a way to attach it to the outermost limbs of my olive tree.
I didn't spray it in time and I have a billion olives all over my lawn.
If you would like to sell me one, I'd really appreciate it.

Redcatcec · Answer

Make a tent?

You could advertise and sell them.

Dee · Answer

You can make or have made some beautiful prom dresses.

Some are collectable so check out ebay

Use as a boat, camper or car cover.

Wil22934849 · Answer

My mom made us girls beautiful dresses. That was many years ago.

What could I do with military surplus parachutes?

Suggested Project Book

Dress Your Door for Valentine's With These 20 Beautiful Wreaths

Other

More

What could I do with military surplus parachutes?

Suggested Project Book