How to make your own kite for Kite Festival

Are you ready for the Kite Festival? If not, it will be a good time to start making one now. Just follow the below & you will have a great kite to fly in no time.

This kite is formed after the pattern of the Pegtop kite and if made properly should prove to be a good flyer. The backbone, A, is formed from 3/8 in. x 1/4 in. stripwood and it is 3 ft. in length and grooved at the bottom end. It should be straight and free from knots and cracks. The crossbar, B, is formed from 1/4 in. square stripwood and is 2 ft. in length. This is joined to the backbone 9 in. from the top, by means of glue and fine string. The bow, C, requires split cane, about 1/4 in. thick, which is about 2 ft. 9 in. in length. This is curved to the shape shown (Fig. 20). The shaping is made easier if the cane is subjected to dry heat, such as a gas jet or an electric fire. The bow shape is retained by means of a string which is bound securely to the ends of the cane. Bind the centre of the bow to the top of the backbone, and the ends of the bow to the ends of the crossbar. Now take a strong bracing string from one end of the bow, pass it over the bottom end of the backbone, and then up to the other end of the bow. The cover is made from cambric or very fine calico.

The method of preparing is as follows. First draw a grid of 4 in. squares on a sheet of paper and then copy on to it the face shown in Fig. 20. Next, pin the cover material to a board and transfer the face to it by means of carbon paper. Hold the paper pattern down with cellulose tape or drawing pins while this is being done. Then paint the face with fabric painting oil colours. When these have dried, cut out the shape, allowing a margin of 1 1/2 in. all round. The cover is fitted by folding the margin over the curved cane and the bracing string and sewing down. Keep it as well stretched as possible. The bridle is attached in the form of a loop. Use strong string about 7 ft. in length and tie it at points which are 9 in. from the bottom and 3 1/2 in. from the top of the backbone. The cover must be pierced to do this. Glue cloth washers around the holes to strengthen the material at these points. Attach the kite line to the bridle by means of a bowline knot and a reef knot. A tail about 7 ft. in length is fitted. Tie the tail papers about 9 in. apart from one another.