Kite Construction

[jhn.holgate]

Here's a few very handy videos showing how Andrew Newton goes about sewing up seams, pockets & hems etc....

 

 

If you've got any peals of wisdom for construction, post 'em here.

Edited August 29, 2015 by jhn.holgate

[SoutherlyBuster]

Scissors to cut the ripstop nylon is not the best idea as it promotes fraying, I always cut my cloth using a hot knife in a well ventilated room. This then simplifies the seam, not requiring an extra cut and double fold as shown in the video above. I'll dig up some of the typical seam methods I use.

[kitedoc]

A well executed and clear video. There should be more like them.

I do not see the problem with using a very sharp pair of scissors or a sharp knife to cut good quality ripstop. I have seen world class kite makers do so.

Sure, poor quality cloth for kites or Oxford cloth for feathers and kite bags needs a hot cutting knife.

[soliver]

Love his vids... they really had me wanting to build a Rok... lost steam on that interest but it may hang out a while in the recesses of my mind... to many kids and a Master's degree to finish first.

[SoutherlyBuster]

Here is the simple way to join to panels:

And a complicated way to reinforce a trailing edge, used for NWP kites:

And finally a complicated way to join two panels with reinforcement and to insert a tag loop for bridle attachments. I have used this for NWP nassa kites. The tags have an extra cross pattern sew line in them (not shown). Bridles have never torn loose from one of these. I will leave it up to you to figure out the sewing sequence.

The triangles with numbers next to them are just lables on the diagram to aid in understanding how the panels come together and figure out the seam allowance. These lables do not appear on the kite its self.

Edited July 20, 2015 by SoutherlyBuster