Making your own kite adds to the fun for everyone, and it's really quite simple. These directions are for the basic diamond kite. Feel free to fuse your own designs onto it. Ripstop nylon is lightweight and durable, and works well for the body of the kite.
Materials and Supplies:
..Ripstop nylon: Yardage equal to the width of your kite.
..Ripstop nylon - other colors large enough for designs
..Thin cotton cord
..2 sticks of bamboo or 3/16" wood doweling, with the
length 1" longer than desired finished length.
..Kite flying string
Directions:
1. Make your paper pattern.
Follow the illustration to the right. You can make it any
size you desire, as long as you keep the proportions
correct. The width is 2/3 the length. The side points
are 1/3 of the length. Draw out, then cut pattern out.
2. Place pattern over fabric, tape in place (don't pin),
and cut out. If you would like to apply an applique to
your kite, draw the design onto Heat 'n Bond Lite.
Follow the directions, cut out and fuse in place. If it is
fused properly, you will not need to stitch the edges.
3. Finish the edges with "Fray Check", or zig-zag stitch.
4. Fold the 4 points 1" toward the back side and stitch in
place, 1/4" from fold. Trim off loose point.
5. Lightly press all 4 edges 1/2" toward the middle.
6. Straight stitch edges at 3/8" seam allowance.
7. Connect cord to end of safety pin and thread through
the 4 edges. Leave extra length - you will tie off later.
8. Cut your sticks 1" longer than your length and width.
Cut a small groove in the ends.
9. Lay them together in a cross, and tie together in the
middle with an X going over and around the sticks.
10. Lay sticks on back side of kite. Slip the strings into
the grooves, pull the cord up very tight, and tie off.
Trim ends of cord to 1", then slide the string so the
knot will be hidden in the casing.
11. Cut another piece of cord 8" longer than the length of
your finished kite. Attach it at the top and bottom of
the kite. Tie your kite flying string to this cord, about
1/3 of the way from the top.
12. Make your kite's tail. Cut several strips of ripstop
nylon 3/4" wide and about 8" long (You may also use
ribbon). Attach them every 6" - 8 ". Attach the tail to
the bottom of the kite.
HAVE FUN!!