Thread

Polyester Sail Thread

Decorative thread

On a dark background, black, violet, blue, green, etc., you can use any of the decorative threads. You can use ordinary black thread in the bobbin for the underside or any color to match your fabric and most of the decorative threads can be used in the bobbin. It depends on the effect you want for your project and if you want both sides of the kite decorated or glissening. On a light type of fabric, yellow, white, lt. blue, etc., use the darker threads for a "touch of elegance". You can do this type of sewing on the leading edges of stunt kites or on any seam on any kite or banner. Also think about redoing some of your already built kites.

How to: Using the sewing machine that you currently use to make kites, you can use this method. To hold the pieces of ripstop together, use a long basting straight stitch (as few stitches per inch as possible) using the same color thread as the fabric color. Now you can go back and fancy things up. Try not to sew through tape of any kind, this could gum up the needle and snap the thread. You may need to loosen the machine upper tension a little for the decorative threads. The needle must be kept very sharp for sewing through ripstop.

Stitch: Try using a fancy stitch and practice on some scrap ripstop or dacron. Most machines today will do some type of different stitch. If your machine does only straight, open the stitch up (as few stitches per inch). If your machine will do both straight and zigzag, use the zigzag and open the stitch up (as few stitches per inch as possible). If your machines does the fancy stitches as well, you can lengthen the stitch or make the stitch as wide as possible or any combination of the two. Practice with your machine to get the most eye pleasing results for the thread you choose. If you want to use a double needle in combination with zigzag stitches, be careful that the movement of the needles from side to side does not exceed the space on the sewing machine presser foot or the hole in the throat plate. The needle could strike either the foot or the plate and break the needle or damage your sewing machine.

Threads: These hard to find theads are sold in some sewing stores. We've tested many different threads and picked these for their unusual appearance on kites and banners. Stitched samples of decorative threads are available upon request at no charge. The threads listed should work on all types of machines. Start with a size 70 needle, go to a size 80 if the thread breaks. Also try loosening the top thread tension if you are still having problems. If that doesn't fix the problem, use a sewing machine embroidery needle. The eye of the needle is slightly larger and much smoother.

Tinsel Threads

Sulky Threads

Metalic Threads

Needles