riffclown Posted December 21, 2019 Report Share Posted December 21, 2019 Started my day by making 8 LE sleeves for 72" sails. Waiting for inspiration on what these kites will be.. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khsidekick Posted December 21, 2019 Report Share Posted December 21, 2019 Stack time? Awesome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riffclown Posted December 21, 2019 Author Report Share Posted December 21, 2019 M-A-Y-B-E?? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riffclown Posted December 26, 2019 Author Report Share Posted December 26, 2019 Started laying out a plan today. First one is going to be a mesh. Using Purple, Black, Charcoal, Silver and White for this one. Regular basket weave over the gray fade. Not sure if I'll stack these or not but this seemed a good place to start. I've been waiting on inspiration to start these kites. Decided to start with what I already had cut and go from there.. It may be time for a spectrum mesh stack. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riffclown Posted December 26, 2019 Author Report Share Posted December 26, 2019 Now to figure out the center panel and finish fabricating. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DTill Posted December 27, 2019 Report Share Posted December 27, 2019 So your doing mesh thru the center? Given your past venting trials, I don't see why it wouldn't work great. Are these the G-kites tails or poly? I picked up some tails a while ago, 6 pack of 15's and a 45'. Haven't started on anything yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riffclown Posted December 27, 2019 Author Report Share Posted December 27, 2019 I figured out a way to very consistently fold the Icarex to get a sharp crease to sew. It haven't needed any basting tape to hem the edges either. As for the center, I'll probably do a center panel. Haven't fully decided yet but that's how I'm leaning so far. Trying to keep it very repeatable in case I decide to make this part of a stack. I learned a lot from the G-Kite tails but their width was becoming erratic (especially with the transition tails) and they were stretching over time. The variable width is fine for a tail but not so much when you are trying to balance a mesh sail made from them. I learned a lot from building with those but I decided to start folding my own strips. The Snowflake and Black Widow meshes I made were the PolyMax and the technique I figured out transfers to Icarex very well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DTill Posted December 27, 2019 Report Share Posted December 27, 2019 Are you using a hemming foot? I got one with a machine recently, only messed with it for a minute. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riffclown Posted December 27, 2019 Author Report Share Posted December 27, 2019 6 minutes ago, DTill said: Are you using a hemming foot? I got one with a machine recently, only messed with it for a minute. I'm not using anything special.Just a simple single fold/crease and a regular foot using a 3 step zig-zag stitch. I've never used a walking foot, hemming foot or any special attachments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DTill Posted December 27, 2019 Report Share Posted December 27, 2019 Just wondering, seems like a hemming foot would be a big timesaver. Someone invented it for a reason. I approach projects from a carpenters perspective. Build up, not seamstress approach, of build it inside out then turn to right side out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DTill Posted December 27, 2019 Report Share Posted December 27, 2019 2 hours ago, riffclown said: I learned a lot from the G-Kite tails but their width was becoming erratic (especially with the transition tails) and they were stretching over time I was wondering about the stretch. Not sure if those tails were cut on the weft or weave. The mesh I built was micron tails. Its been holding pretty good. I've flown it in stupid wind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DTill Posted December 27, 2019 Report Share Posted December 27, 2019 1 hour ago, riffclown said: .Just a simple single fold/crease and a regular foot using a 3 step zig-zag stitch. I know most kites are sewn with the three step zig zag, wich is a stretch stitch. John double stitches the trailing edges with a straight stitch. Would it make more sense to hem the seams on a mesh with a double straight stitch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riffclown Posted December 27, 2019 Author Report Share Posted December 27, 2019 6 hours ago, DTill said: I know most kites are sewn with the three step zig zag, wich is a stretch stitch. John double stitches the trailing edges with a straight stitch. Would it make more sense to hem the seams on a mesh with a double straight stitch. In this particular case I use a straight stitch on the edge binding and double stitch the edge binding. I also add my reinforcements to the corners. I use the 3 step zig zag on the strip hems simply because it allows for fabric changes over time and keeps the crease flatter. If you look closely, Eliot does the same. 7 hours ago, DTill said: I was wondering about the stretch. Not sure if those tails were cut on the weft or weave. The mesh I built was micron tails. Its been holding pretty good. I've flown it in stupid wind. My original mesh is still my goto when winds offer the choice of flying the kite or flying the beach chair.. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riffclown Posted December 27, 2019 Author Report Share Posted December 27, 2019 Time for corner work, edge binding and attachment to the Leading Edge. Hopefully if I can find enough endcaps to finish, this kite will be ready for the weekend. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riffclown Posted December 27, 2019 Author Report Share Posted December 27, 2019 All the sewing is done. Framing and Bridling remain. I'll have to wait for my endcaps to arrive or take parts from another kite. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riffclown Posted December 28, 2019 Author Report Share Posted December 28, 2019 Blue is next.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riffclown Posted December 29, 2019 Author Report Share Posted December 29, 2019 Will edge bind and attach leading edge tomorrow.. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riffclown Posted December 29, 2019 Author Report Share Posted December 29, 2019 And of course the Greens are next. Flo Green, Teal and Forest green. Picture doesn't show the greens very well right now. will try to take a better pic during mock up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DTill Posted December 30, 2019 Report Share Posted December 30, 2019 You need to change your name to Riff's kite factory. RKF productions? Riff's polyester persuasions? RPP? 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riffclown Posted December 30, 2019 Author Report Share Posted December 30, 2019 The three greens I have. Flo green, Green and Teal. The teal looks more blue in this picture and has the classic rectangular grid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riffclown Posted December 30, 2019 Author Report Share Posted December 30, 2019 10 hours ago, DTill said: You need to change your name to Riff's kite factory. RKF productions? Riff's polyester persuasions? RPP? How about Really, It's For Fun!! aka RIFF 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riffclown Posted December 31, 2019 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2019 The green family (3 greens), Yellow Family, (2 Yellows), Orange Family, (2 Oranges) and Red Family, (3 Reds including a bit of pink) are all cut and ready for sewing prep.. This will be a 6 stack at first. I may go back and add a dark blue and even a wine color to make it 8. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riffclown Posted December 31, 2019 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2019 Laying out both the Yellow & Green today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riffclown Posted December 31, 2019 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2019 Both Green & Yellow panels done. Calling it a day.. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riffclown Posted January 1, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 1, 2020 Orange Panels are sewn.. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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