Hi all,
I am looking into trying to make and fix stuff related to kite gear. So if you have knowledge in sailmaking/repairing, you probably can help me a lot here.
In order of difficulty, I would like to:
* make kite compression bags
* make a kite covers (to avoid kites from roasting and being sandblasted on the beach)
* repair my trainer kite
* make trainer kites
First question is: what is the proper sewing thread to use, and where can I find it? I read on different forums that:
* I should look for "bonded polyester" as it is strong and UV stable
* I should not use a thread too thin as it can tear the rip stop nylon
My second question is about the type of machine I should use. As rip stop nylon is very thin and slips easely, I've beed told I should get a "dual feed" machine. Somone else (who is into quilting mind you) told me a "walking foot" was superior. My understanding is that a walking foot goes up and down, but does not feed the material from the top, whereas a dual feed, pull the material from both the top and the bottom.
Anyone could give me advice of this?
Final question: what size needle should i use?
If anyone has an old, unused kite in any state they want to get rid off, i'll be happy to take it and recycle the material into some of my above projects.
Cheers,
Jeremy
Hi,
Machine, Walking foot will do nicely. You can buy domestic machines used for Quilting as an alternative to buying a zig zag industrial machine. Domestic gives all the stitches you need in one machine. I have a Janomie it was $1500 brand new but have made sails, bags, kites all sorts over the years.
Needle, Use one made for leather. available from local sowing shop or spotlight.
Thread, Just buy a roll for a sail maker, its the easy way out. Finding the right thread can be hard.
Cloth, Just do a deal with the local sailmaker. Mine gave me a big discount ( he now gives me wholesale +10%) because I was giving it a go and have been using him for a long time. 75oz weight rip stop is what kites are made from. All the big brands make this cloth, EG dimension polyant.
Hope that helps.
Hi Hobie,
Thank you for you help, that is a good start.
Anyone knows a sailmaker that would sell me some thread and rip stop nylon?
