riffclown Posted January 24, 2018 Report Share Posted January 24, 2018 This kite had a name before I ever made a stitch.. Introducing "Yonder" Still a lot of decisions to make but the side panels are set and stitched.. More to come. Stay tuned.. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SHBKF Posted January 25, 2018 Report Share Posted January 25, 2018 You continue to wow me my friend. Amazing! SHBKF 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Breezin Posted January 25, 2018 Report Share Posted January 25, 2018 A Christmas trivia tribute ? Insignia is really cool. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Klaiber Posted January 25, 2018 Report Share Posted January 25, 2018 Maybe we can spend some time during the week teaching some basic sewing skills. Make a Kite week [emoji106]Sent from my iPhone using KiteLife mobile app 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riffclown Posted January 25, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2018 22 minutes ago, Breezin said: A Christmas trivia tribute ? Insignia is really cool. A hint at that but more a singular reference to the Air Force Song.. Remember it was Kites that inspired the Wrights. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riffclown Posted January 25, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2018 3 minutes ago, Mike Klaiber said: Maybe we can spend some time during the week teaching some basic sewing skills. Make a Kite week Sent from my iPhone using KiteLife mobile app You saying I need to bring my machine to Corolla?? (I've kind of thought about doing that but honestly, if you want that environment then sit with Eliot for an afternoon.. You'll learn more than I can teach in a week. He isn't greedy with his skills and will provide pointers that WILL make you a better kite maker. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul LaMasters Posted January 25, 2018 Report Share Posted January 25, 2018 look at the stitching from Ron Gibian and then compare it to your own,... do see the difference? Ever examined a kite by Lam Hoac? OH MY GOD his QC level is unbelievable! Examine the alignment of Bazzer or Shooks kite panels,... see their level of expertise applied at every point? I used to make kites too, I made 'em better than REV, but that pales in comparison to a master kite builder such as listed above. I don't even effect my own repairs anymore, my expectations are that tough to reach. I want it built "my way" and I'm happy to have less kites overall just so the few I do own are to my design parameters EVEN if they cost extra and I have to wait. Ken McNeill created sport kites with a cantenary cut, (affixing a curved edge to a straight edge thereby creating a 3 dimensional shape) without framing. DECADES AGO! There's so many greats you can take ideas from! That's why festivals are so good. you can learn from everyone there if you've checked your own ego at the entrance and are willing to listen carefully! Here's a piece of advise I share frequently with new pilots.... "take the best and dump the rest!" It means you will hear lots of advise and opinions, but you don't have to use any of it unless you feel it personally benefits you. See something cool? Make it your own, go ask how and what's necessary to effect it. It could a flying technique or a builder's trick. You're under no obligation to follow anyone's advise though. Experiment and make your own style from what you're kept. Dump everything you don't want and never look back, your opinion is the only one that truly matters. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riffclown Posted January 25, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2018 I realize I'm not the craftsman that some people are and I endeavor to learn every time I try something new.. While I've have purchased kites made by master craftsmen, the one thing I can't say about those sails is "I designed and made this all by myself." While I endeavor to learn from others every chance I get, I also seem to be a person people ask questions about how to do certain things as well. You see when they see a brand on a kite they kind of know where it came from.. I've had TONS of conversations based on "did you make that yourself??" My kites are more than kites. They are ambassadors into kiting, kite making and conversation starters in general. While I try very hard to be a good mentor on kiting and kite making.. I also defer to those that know more and try to learn everything I can from them as well. I'm not afraid to say I don't know. I endeavor always to be a good steward of the attention someone afford to me whether it be on the forums, the kite field or the sewing machine. I've sat for long periods of time learning from Eliot, I look with the discerning eye at every kite I buy and every kite I make.. Even Eliot will tell you, you can't beat the QC on the Freileins.. I have 6 and can't find a single stitch anywhere out of place. One thing Eliot has never said to me is, "You should let someone else do the sewing and just have better kites." He has sat down with me and showed me finer point of how to do what I enjoy doing better. Can I buy a better kite than I can make?? Sure.. I get a huge amount of personal joy saying, "I designed and made this all by myself." or "I made this out of Kite Tails" The Sewing machine is one way I unwind after all day staring at computer screens. I really appreciate your inputs on things like talking with Dave or buying pre-made LE's from Eliot but I prefer to succeed or fail on my own merits while learning from those better than me how to not make those little mistakes. Can I make a Kite better than Bazzer?? I doubt it.. Better than Freilein,, very doubtful.. Can I make a better kite than Rev?? Maybe not but I have color choices, Frame choices and accessories I like better without having to learn the secret handshake.. My kites don't compete. I still fly solely for fun. They have to look good from 30ft (or more) away.. I don't notice the stitching errors from there. The bottom line is I prefer to make my own, bad stitches, little mistakes and all. The one vital question I want to ask myself and answer yes every time is. Did I make this kite better than my last one?? I doubt I'll ever consider myself a master builder or flyer. I don't want to stop learning long enough to make that decision. Thanks for your feedback, I appreciate the input.. I really like doing it this way.. I started here Duct Tape and all before I ever owned or flew a Rev.. 15 Home made kites later I'm here loving every minute spent flying, designing and sewing my own imperfect stuff. 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Breezin Posted January 26, 2018 Report Share Posted January 26, 2018 Yesterday morning while practicing I got a near perfect 12" straight line stitch with proper tension on a dish rag. Hey it's a start . 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riffclown Posted January 27, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2018 @Breezin I started out sewing patches on my uniform and trying to repair small tears.. the biggest trick to kite fabric from my limited experience is the grain is strange sometimes and the fabric is very slippery... You'll get there.. you are well on your way.. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riffclown Posted January 28, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 28, 2018 All of the sewing on Yonder is finished.. Will bungee and frame tomorrow.. First flight hopefully this week if the weather allows.. This kite is a 72" LE and will utilize a B2 Frame size. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riffclown Posted January 28, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 28, 2018 Made the Bag.. Will put an Air Force Symbol on it as well eventually.. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Breezin Posted January 28, 2018 Report Share Posted January 28, 2018 Got some 2.75 rip stop for my cuffs and to practice on before the kite rip stop.Still finding the rag a little slippery lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riffclown Posted January 28, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 28, 2018 Framed and ready for flight testing.. Bridles are done. just wanted the pic first.. Rain Rain Go Away, Leave some wind so I can play.. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riffclown Posted January 30, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 30, 2018 Rain and Snow for a few days.. Hopefully will be able to fly this sometime this week.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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