Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1993 15:50:22 GMT
From: bausman@mcc.com (Marvin Bausman)
Message-ID: <9303161050.A20735@outback.mcc.com>
Organization: Division of Applied Sciences, Harvard University
Subject: Sewing Needles

Fellow Kiters:

I am very new to building my own stunt kites, having just
finished my first one (one of the Hang'em High Kits).  I was
relatively pleased with the outcome, but definitely learned
a lot.

Question 1: The instructions called out using a #14
standard point needle, which I did.  My impressions are that
this worked well with the ripstop for the sail, but that it
did not work as well with the dacron used to reinforce the
leading edge.  I suspect I would have been better off with a
smaller needle.  I would like to hear what the convential
wisdom is on needle sizes.

Question 2: I noticed on the other kites I own (i.e. ones
that I purchased commercially sewn) that a "stitched zig-zag
stitch is used frequently, especially when sewing on the
leading edge reinforcement.  My wife's machine can not do a
"stitched zig-zag", so I am stuck using a plain zig-zag
stitch.  Is this all that detrimental in the long run
strength and reliability of the construction?

Question 3: What is the best source of information (i.e.
probably talking a book) for these type of details about
kite construction.

Overall, I am "hooked".  I shall probably purchase a few
more commercially sewn kites, but I definitely am going to
keep "experimenting" with sewing my own.

Regards,

Marv Bausman
bausman@mcc.com


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Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1993 20:25:47 GMT
From: sasaki@netop3.harvard.edu (Marty Sasaki)
Message-ID: <1993Mar16.202547.21140@das.harvard.edu>
Organization: Harvard University
Subject: Re: Sewing Needles


In article <9303161050.A20735@outback.mcc.com>, bausman@mcc.com (Marvin Bausman) writes:
>I am very new to building my own stunt kites, having just
>finished my first one (one of the Hang'em High Kits).  I was
>relatively pleased with the outcome, but definitely learned
>a lot.

Congratulations. Welcome to the club. Now you won't have to budget
money for buying kites, you will have to budget time to make kites. I
don't know which is worse... ;-)

>Question 1: The instructions called out using a #14
>standard point needle, which I did.  My impressions are that
>this worked well with the ripstop for the sail, but that it
>did not work as well with the dacron used to reinforce the
>leading edge.  I suspect I would have been better off with a
>smaller needle.  I would like to hear what the convential
>wisdom is on needle sizes.

I use a #14 needle for most sewing, including sewing the dacron
leading edge and reinforcements. When I sew the nose piece on, which
is often seat belt material, I might change to a #16 needle. I used to
use a #11 or a #12 needle on ripstop, but found changing between the
smaller needle and the #14 to be time consuming.

>Question 2: I noticed on the other kites I own (i.e. ones
>that I purchased commercially sewn) that a "stitched zig-zag
>stitch is used frequently, especially when sewing on the
>leading edge reinforcement.  My wife's machine can not do a
>"stitched zig-zag", so I am stuck using a plain zig-zag
>stitch.  Is this all that detrimental in the long run
>strength and reliability of the construction?

Theoretically a zig-zag is a little stronger than a straight stitch.
Usually commercial kite makers use a zig-zag because it is a slightly
crooked zig-zag is hard to distinguish form a straight zig-zag. I
believe that the difference in strength is not worth worrying about.

I use a decorative stitch to attach the leading edge, often in a
contrasting color thread. Strength is not that critical on this seam.

>Question 3: What is the best source of information (i.e.
>probably talking a book) for these type of details about
>kite construction.

Bill Tyrell wrote an article in Kite Lines titled, "Mastering Nylon".
You can get reprints of this article from Kite Lines, or from Bill
(The Kitestuff Co., also known as, The Fabric Lady). This answers a
lot of questions about dealing with nylon.
--
Marty Sasaki            Harvard University           Sasaki Kite Fabrications
sasaki@noc.harvard.edu  Network Operations Division  26 Green Street
617-496-4320            10 Ware Street               Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
                        Cambridge, MA 02138-4002     phone/fax: 617-522-8546


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