The Kitebuilder.com Forum

Nightflyer · Joined: 17 Sep 2003 Posts: 21 Location: perrysburg oh

I am working on my next creation for next years Smithsonian festival but am having a tough time discovering a place to get some clear fabric. I need it for the keel of a very large delta kite. I will be appliqueing an eagle into this fabric so it need to sew fairly well. Does anyone know where to get anything that can handle this job. Money is not as important as quality and functionality.
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William Salisbury
Kitebuilder
kitecircus.com

stevef · Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2003 3:56 pm Post subject:

Check our catalog here:
http://www.kitebuilder.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=24_174

Are you using the clear fabric for the entire kite, or just the keel? Will you be doing appliqué on the keel?

You can sew this fabric, but I recommend adding Double Face Tape into the seam. There is a "super tape" that is considered permanent, but I hesitate to recommend it on a "large" delta. How large is large"

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Nightflyer · Joined: 17 Sep 2003 Posts: 21 Location: perrysburg oh

The Kite is currently slated to be between 16 to 20 feet wide. It will be a Flag type kite with the stars labeled with each states initials. Under the main delta I want a clear keel into which I am planning additional Artwork, an eagle at this time but subject to change as it proceeds.

Just for referance my last kite started out at a 10' footer and wound up at 16' so these plans are subject to expansion still.
http://kitefestival.org/2003-winners/salisbury.htm

What exactly are your conserns with the strength of this fabric?
_________________
William Salisbury
Kitebuilder
kitecircus.com

Kitesquid · Posted: Thu Sep 18, 2003 7:58 am Post subject:

William,

I loved your Rok at the Smithsonian!!!!

Keep up the good work!!!!!!!!!

Art that flys!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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VR/
KiteSquid
AKA TakoIka
AKA Harold
King George VA

P.S. The wind is like the air, only pushier.

stevef · Posted: Thu Sep 18, 2003 8:40 am Post subject:

Well, 'strength' is a difficult term. Huge sails can be made from the Cobra Cloth... By itself, it is very 'strong' light weight, and low stretch. .... but add a buch of holes in the mylar as you would with applique and you will weaken it. Would you be back cutting the mylar?

The Cobra has a vertical, horizontal, and diagonal scrim, but the polyester fibers are relatively far apart. I wouldnt advise the back cut.
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Nightflyer · Joined: 17 Sep 2003 Posts: 21 Location: perrysburg oh

Well I'll get 5 yards and that'll give me enough for several different keel types. Since applique is out maybe I'll work a 3-d Eagle into the keel somehow. I'm thinking that if I reinforce the Cobra some I can put sevreal eyelets into it right?
IE passthrough line to control the eagle wings. and a centerline to hold the main flight line.

Also Does anyone know what the theme for next years smithsonian is yet? I only build in the fall / early winter so I'm hoping they have made a decision already and just not updated the site yet.
_________________
William Salisbury
Kitebuilder
kitecircus.com