Easter KiteDateline: 03/28/98Avoid some of the cavities if the Easter Bunny brings toys, and supply hours of durable spring time fun. Materials Needed
Directions Refer to Cutting diagram for measurements and cutting instructions. We used two yard sticks laid at right angles to each other to maintain the diamond shape. The nylon fabric I purchased was 64" wide, and I was able to cut two out at one time. If yours is only 60" wide you will have to cut them out one at a time by reversing the direction for the second kite. Press all edges under 1/2". Be careful not to use too hot an iron on the nylon. It will melt. Measure in 1" from each corner. Use a quarter to cut a semi circle into each corner, by lining the quarter up with the one inch mark. Holding a long tail on your string, insert string into folded under edge, starting at the bottom corner. Stitch down the Nylon, being sure not to stitch the string and leaving an exposed loop of string at each corner. I used a zig zag stitch to stitch down these edges and around the semi circled corners. Insert diagram Fold Kite in half lengthwise and make a mark on the fold 7" from the top curved edge and 13" from the bottom curved edge, for the guide string to be inserted through. Refer to diagram B on the Cutting Diagram. Unfold the kites and using your sewing machine make and eyelet (round hole with stitched edges) or a very small button hole. Leave a long tail of string when your stitching is complete for adjustments. Cut one dowel to measure 30" and cut the other to measure 34 1/4" long. Make a perpendicular cut into the ends of each dowel, 1/4" deep. Insert the 30" dowel into the cross area and the 34 1/4" dowel from top to bottom. If you are going to applique a design on your kite, make a small mark at where the dowels cross each other.
Optional Applique Now's the time to be creative. Keep in mind that you want a balanced design in order to keep the kite balanced. This project was my three year olds idea, when asked what she would like on her kite, she answered, "A big smile face". This was an easy design and balanced for flying purposes. These are the steps I followed:
Finishing Assembly Insert the dowels as instructed and snug the string to fit into the slots on the dowels. Knot well at the bottom of the kite. Be sure to refer to a great page of Kite knots if you need knotting help.We did wrap the string we were using around the dowel before knotting at the bottom. The heavy duty string we used was a polyester/nylon braid and wanted to slip and come lose. We solved the problem by carefully melting part of the knot to hold it in place. Working from the front of the kite, insert a string into your top eyelet hole,around the dowel and back out to the front of the kite. use the other end of the string and repeat for the other eyelet. Secure well. Use a Larks Head or Prusik knot to attach your flying string. Kite Tail We used 1" wide strips of scrap nylon fabric for our tail. This is an area we are still experimenting with, a snow storm stopped our progress. We did find wonderful directions for how to make a Fuzzy Tail. be sure to check out these directions. They are our next plan. Tips and Tricks On curved edges and raw edges, use the tip of a hot glue gun or a lighter to carefully melt the edge.
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