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DuPont Spinner · Joined: 30 Oct 2004 Posts: 60 Location: Auburn, Wa

I've now started on my second duel line stunt kite and for reinforment of the leading edges and other stress points, I'm using a two inch nylon webbing and a nylon uphostery thread. The webbing is not as slippery as the two inch dacron tape, so my sewing machine (an el-cheap'o) is better able to feed the nylon webbing through the foot. The uphostery thread is tough and very clean as it feeds its way through the machine. So... my question to those with more experience; does anyone see anything wrong with my choice of materials? For my hems and seams on the Ripstop, I'm using a size ten needle and polyester thread. The sewing on the heavier material is done with a size 14 needle and the nylon thread. Any advice will be welcome. Thanks in advance. DuPont Smile

I might add that the pattern is one that I bought at Goodwinds Kites in Seattle. Some of you may be familiar with the pattern. It's called the XITR and has an eight foot wingspan.
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dpb · Posted: Tue Nov 16, 2004 1:54 am Post subject:

I believe I have mentioned this before, but I was warned by a seamstress to use thread which is similar in strength and stretch as the fabric being sewn. If the thread is significantly stronger or weaker than the fabric being sewn (e.g. sewing light cotton with silk thread), then when the seam is under stress, a much stronger thread can cut the fabric and visa versa. A stretchier thread will form gaps in the seam after stress, while a stretchier fabric will form pucker.

I did once try sewing Ripstop with a high quality silk thread (I had this glossy high quality thread, and just had to try it). True to the seamstresses word, the silk cut through the Ripstop when under stress (though not immediately). Now I stick to high quality polyester thread.

I do not know what upholstry thread is like, but hopefully it has similar properties to the fabric you are sewing (probably not a problem for nylon webbing).

Dave
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KiteSquid · Posted: Tue Nov 16, 2004 8:45 am Post subject:

Upholstry thread is usualay too thick.

My first kite was sewn with some Consoe uphostry thread (size V69) and now I just use the thread for guy lines on 7.5' wing spanl codys and as flying line for smaller kites....

I prefer to use Dabond bonded polyester in size V33 or Guterman 100% polyester thread.

Some people only use the Bonded nylon thread that Steve carries. It is high quallty thread and works well in most machines.

I could not get the machine I had at the time (Babylock) to sew well with it and could not adjust it in so I tried other threads untill I found someting that worked well for me and I just stayed with it as I moved to other machines (Berninia, Pfaff, and a Singer industrial)

I agree with what Dave said, the thread has to work well with the fabric you choose.....
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wdrwilson · Posted: Tue Nov 16, 2004 9:13 am Post subject:

I use 100% Polyester Guterman ... you can buy it at most quality fabric stores and even at W*LMart... It comes in lots of colors too Smile

The upholstrey thread I tried was too thick.. it didn't work well with my needles or machine..

Good luck!

--Bill

Stan · Joined: 18 Nov 2003 Posts: 763 Location: San Diego

I once used heavy nylon upholstery thread for everything, but after switching to polyester, I never went back. Being able to use thinner needles makes it easier for my machine to run through thick materials and the stitches are less visible.

kitepoor · Posted: Tue Nov 16, 2004 12:12 pm Post subject:

we are talking thread here...
however more important in my experience are the needles
#14 denim for everything
don't use any needle made by singer
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DuPont Spinner · Joined: 30 Oct 2004 Posts: 60 Location: Auburn, Wa

Thanks everyone for the responses. For the heavy nylon webbing, the upholstery thread worked fantastic. On the other hand, it's not worth a darn (way to bulky) on the finer fabrics and dacron tape. I think I'll continue to use it on further stitching on heavy webbing for the time being. Once this kite is finished I'll most likely go back to polyester for all the sewing. DuPont
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