Oscar has been studying kites this term at school, and he has just finished his term project of making a kite at home. Of course, the Fielke's had to have a patchwork kite, and it turned out so cute I thought I would show you all as a great holiday activity with the kids. Please bear in mind that a lot of the pics were taken by Oscar, who is only nine, so they are a little off!
You will need:
-A piece of fabric as big as the kite is going to be for the back of the kite. Our kite is 80cm high by 50 cm wide.
- lots of scrap for the front of the kite
-Some electrical tape
-The rods from an old kite, or rods from a hardware store
-string from an old kite, or a reel of string to fly with
-some plastic ribbon for the tail
Step 1. Cut a template out of fabric for the back of the kite. We used an old diamond kite for a template, but you can use anything. Even trace a shape onto a piece of newspaper and then cut around the newspaper if you like. If you have a very clever Mum or Dad you could even make a Box kite this way. If you are working from an old kite, or an old kite frame, make sure that you cut the fabric big enough to fit the kite poles.
Step 2. Go through Mum's scrap box and find some good size scraps that you like. Press them flat.
Step 3. Using the foundation piecing method, crazy piece the fabric all over the kite surface with the pattern of the backing fabric facing down. In this way you will have a pattern on the side facing the sky, and the patchwork side facing you as you fly the kite.
If you have never foundation pieced before, start in the centre of the kite, and lay two scraps together as though you were going to piece them together normally, but with the backing fabric behind. Sew along the edge of the fabrics using a 1/4" seam, and then open the fabric up and press open.
Continue in this manner, covering the kite surface as you go.
Step 4. When you get to an edge, trim the fabric back to align with the edge of the kite.
Step 5. Make sure and press everything flat as you go, and press the seams you sew open properly.
Step 6. When you have covered the kite with fabric, you need to roll the edge of the kite over from the back to the front about 1/4" to enclose the seams. Sew along the edge of the fabric, leaving a raw edge behind. If you wanted to, you could bias bind the edges. This bit is tricky, you might want Mum to take over here! Give everything a good press when you're done. You might want to use some starch.
Step 7. Take some electrical tape and fold it in half so that the sticky sides stick together. You now have a strong "fabric" to make into a pocket to hold the end of the kits rods. Fold in half and stitch around three edges of the tape, leaving an open edge at one end. Stitch to the back of the kite. Repeat on all four corners. If you are using rods from an old kite, make sure and test out where the pockets should go, and make sure that the rods are a tight fit to the pockets so that the kite will be slightly stretched when the rods are inserted. This will catch the wind!
Step 8. Insert the rods and tie on the tail. Thread a needle with the end of the kite string and sew through the front of the kite and out the back several times and tie a really good knot to attach the string.
You're done!!
Step 9. Take to school and wait patiently for all your friends to be ready....
Step 10. FLY!! (or run if there is absolutely no wind!)
Thanks Mum, that was fun.... :)
Sarah Fielke Material Obsession Material Obsession Two
That is one good looking kite!
Posted by: Kate | Monday, June 29, 2009 at 07:04 PM
Sarah, I am a crazy quilter-so this project just rocks my world. Love the kite!
Posted by: Wagonwife Designs | Monday, June 29, 2009 at 08:09 PM
What a great idea! Now that is something I have never thought of doing with your scraps. Bravo!
Posted by: Jackie | Monday, June 29, 2009 at 09:00 PM
No doubt about it that's the best looking kite I've ever seen!
Posted by: Susan C | Monday, June 29, 2009 at 11:02 PM
One very proud, happy boy!
Hugs - Lurlineā„
Posted by: Lurline | Monday, June 29, 2009 at 11:14 PM
What a great mom; and what a fun project!
Posted by: Joan Callaway | Monday, June 29, 2009 at 11:40 PM
I love it!!! What a great way to use of up your scraps and get the kids involved with sewing too.
Posted by: Heather | Monday, June 29, 2009 at 11:40 PM
That is an awesome kite! I especially like the duct tape for the rod ends. Great idea!
Posted by: Angela | Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 12:29 AM
How fun! I love his kite!! Hope there was plenty of wind for the fun :)
Posted by: Amy @ parkcitygirl | Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 01:44 AM
Very cool. I would never have thought of fabric. My dad used to make huge kits out of newspapers and I remember the fun we had with those. Great idea!
Posted by: pam | Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 06:48 AM
Wow! Great looking kite - great looking young man....Well done Mum and Oscar....
Posted by: Elizabeth | Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 09:25 AM
i love it! this would be a perfect idea for a girl (or boy) scouts project!
Posted by: jaybird | Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 09:42 AM
What a fun, fun project!! I posted a link to your tutorial on Craft Gossip Sewing: http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-patchwork-fabric-kite/2009/06/29/
--Anne
Posted by: Anne | Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 11:23 AM
Well it is absolutely delightful. And isn't that how kits originated! Scraps of fabric. Not this paper junk from the store. That is or sure. What a fabulous project.
Posted by: nanette | Wednesday, July 01, 2009 at 12:28 AM
Wow, this is so cute. Very unique and so pretty!
Posted by: Rachel | Friday, July 03, 2009 at 05:15 AM
What a cute idea! I have a dilapidated kite in the back of the closet...perhaps I could breath some new life into it.
Posted by: Jane Weston | Friday, July 03, 2009 at 11:54 PM
That's a great project! Good job!
Posted by: Leah | Friday, July 24, 2009 at 05:05 AM
wow, found this at the crafty crow and i just love it! what a cute idea. this would be so fun to put up in my 3-year-old's room or something. thanks for the inspiration!
Posted by: Laurel | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 02:55 AM
how do i make it I have a project too and i need to make one just like that and i am having trouble!
Posted by: Tenieka | Saturday, August 15, 2009 at 07:06 PM
Hey!
Can i know the length from the point, at the cross-section of the 2sticks ,to the top of the kite?
Posted by: Isebelle | Tuesday, September 08, 2009 at 12:46 AM
Hi Isebelle
Yes, the length is 25cm.
Sarah
SEWN - www.sewn.net.au
The Last Piece - www.thelastpiece.net
0414 665 103
sarah@sewn.net.au
On Mon Sep 7 7:46 , typepad@sixapart.com sent:
Posted by: sarahfielke | Wednesday, September 09, 2009 at 08:35 AM
Sarah, I can't even tell you how happy I am that you posted this! I am the type of crafter that wants to start practically every project I come across in blog-land, but rarely do. This, however, I am starting today! Thank you!
Posted by: ariel | Thursday, March 11, 2010 at 12:44 PM
What a great kite tutorial! I've included it on my website today along with some other DIY kites. I'm sure it will be a hit! Thanks so much for sharing!
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