David Hampton Posted May 30, 2013 Report Share Posted May 30, 2013 Is there a paticular kind of thread I should use for making kites? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeepster Posted May 30, 2013 Report Share Posted May 30, 2013 Different kite makers like different thread. Either polyester or nylon will work well ... just don't use cotton. Gutermann thread (poly) from JoAnn Fabrics is a readily available thread throughout the USA that many kite builders recommend. You might think about dropping in on Kitebuilders.com for a visit. Lots of building expertise there. Cheers, Tom 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
West Australian Posted May 30, 2013 Report Share Posted May 30, 2013 I Use Gutermann Thread on my kites. Good Quality, Great Colours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Barresi Posted June 1, 2013 Report Share Posted June 1, 2013 My wife (Takako) uses Gutermann too. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Hampton Posted June 12, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 12, 2013 Is there a particular needle size/type that I should get, and are there different sizes of thread? Thanks for the help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeepster Posted June 14, 2013 Report Share Posted June 14, 2013 Is there a particular needle size/type that I should get, and are there different sizes of thread?Thanks for the help! You need a sharp needle ... no ball ends or special designs for knit fabric. You would like a small diameter needle to reduce the hole size and a large hole in the needle to prevent the thread from hanging up on the needle ... the thread goes back and forth through the hole a number of times before it's left on the kite as a stitch. Since a small needle and a large hole are mutually exclusive, you have to compromise. Luckily a specific size of thread will usually work well with two or three needle sizes, so it's not that critical. Here's my recommendation: Visit JoAnn fabrics ... you'll find the Gutermann thread there also. Buy Schmetz Sharps needles ... their Universal needles are a number two choice. I don't think they come in an assortment, so buy both the 12/80 and the 14/90 size. Try each of them in your machine with your kite building material and the specific thread you're going to use. Look carefully at the results to decide which is correct for your set up. If you can't decide which is better then that's a plus ... your set up isn't fussy. If the needle hits anything metallic while sewing, change the needle. If the needle starts making a "popping" noise while sewing, change the needle. Needles are cheap (about 50 cents apiece with a half-price coupon) and it doesn't make sense to try to stretch their mileage. Good luck and please post pictures of your results. Also, aim for showing up at WSIKF on Thursday and competing in the beginner class with your kite ... seriously!!! Cheers, Tom 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeepster Posted June 14, 2013 Report Share Posted June 14, 2013 Is there a particular needle size/type that I should get, and are there different sizes of thread?Thanks for the help! Opps, didn't answer your thread size question. It's difficult to answer because it seems like the thread manufactures try to keep it confusing. Even the Gutermann site doesn't tell the consumer what size their thread is!! The poly thread sold for commercial use comes in a huge assortment of sizes. Kite builders favor size 33 and 46. The Gutermann thread you'll find at JoAnn fabrics is probably size 33. I've used that size thread for two square foot kites and 100 square foot kites ... never a failure ... yet. Visit thethreadexchange.com web site for a ton of information on threads. Make sure you visit the tab on polyester thread. Cheers, Tom 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Barresi Posted June 19, 2013 Report Share Posted June 19, 2013 If you buy from Amazon and would like to support KiteLife, please consider browsing from these links... http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00170172M/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00170172M&linkCode=as2&tag=kitelifemagaz-20 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00A3US446/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00A3US446&linkCode=as2&tag=kitelifemagaz-20 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003SBV5ZC/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B003SBV5ZC&linkCode=as2&tag=kitelifemagaz-20 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andre Posted August 10, 2013 Report Share Posted August 10, 2013 Well, if i had to recommend a thread, bonded polyester thread, Coats is one of the more visible manufactures. Its professional sail maker thread and comes in a wide range of strength. And it will outlast your kite. It is of much higher quality then other threads for what we do when building a kite. But its hard to quantify, just like Aerostuff vs Skyshark i suppose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reef Runner Posted August 11, 2013 Report Share Posted August 11, 2013 I too, use #69 bonded polyester, for most all sewing applications. I have used it for heavy weight fabrics, as well as light weight fabrics, and as Andre mentioned, it should outlast your kite - it's very strong. I don't make kites (would like to), but I do make a lot of kite bags, sleeves, etc., as well as many other "odds & ends" applications. I usually keep a good assortment of the basic colors, plus lot's of black & white, but all is #69 bonded poly. I'd really like to learn how to make a kite, but I just haven't done so yet, plus, my machine doesn't do a zig-zag stitch. It surely sounds like a great project, though............. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andre Posted August 11, 2013 Report Share Posted August 11, 2013 Hint, you don't need zick-zack for a kite. Straight stitching is all you really need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mystainedskin Posted September 18, 2013 Report Share Posted September 18, 2013 On the night I pull out the sewing machine with intent on learning The needle analogies are very similar with tattoo work. It was interesting to read your descriptions of sounds and reactions to the material. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
makatakam Posted September 19, 2013 Report Share Posted September 19, 2013 Keep your stitches at least 2.5mm apart. If they are closer together there is a chance that you will "perforate" the fabric (like paper towels or toilet paper) and it will seperate at the seam under tension. I've made that mistake on my first attempt. Not fun when it falls apart after all the time spent designing and sewing. Post pictures of your creations once you build them. P.S. -- My avatar is the one that came apart in the air and had to be re-sewn. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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