Here's what one looks like before the sewing part..

DIY Kite Kit, Just add Thread..



Leading Edge is done now and just a quick mock-up of the strips before I start the folding and hemming.

I hope this will be a 3 part trilogy: Before, During and After.

Well there will be quite a bit of "During". I've been folding the strips to get them ready to hem. FWIW, once they are folded, I place them in a heavy paper roll for at least a day to make sure the creases are good. AND---->:P jeepersjoey should provide the after..

During -->So the folds are done and the strips are in the press to set the seams. No Pics on this part. (it's kind of boring to show a roll of heavy butcher paper.) I don't skip this step because If I do, the kite won't lay flat while I'm putting it together.. That most often results in the dreaded "Starting over because I made a FLAG.."

Right...a pic of after! I've got that one.

Paul

During Masking the panels up before sewing..

This looks like a pretty labor intensive project.

I'll be honest. The Perspective Meshes are very labor intensive..

During --> The Main panels are sewn and trimmed now.. Will start on the Center Panel next.
@Randy The trickiest part for almost all of these builds is keeping the panels flat. It's harder on the meshes. When you go with the perspective meshes, it's even harder still because the strips are not parallel to each other.
The Perspective Meshes are by far the most difficult to make of all my designs. Some have more work but this design punishes you with flags because almost all the mistakes here are in sewing, not the mock-up stages.

I'm confused. What is the difference between a perspective mesh and a regular mesh?

In what I call a perspective Mesh, the strips of fabric are not parallel and go to a vanish point (or 2 vanish points for full perspective like this kite)

Full Perspective.Notice there are vanish points towards the center and outside the bottom corners for each strip. All strips roughly align to one of those points. and are not parallel to each other


Single Perspective. there's still a vanish point in the middle but the other more vertical strips are parallel to each other.



For a normal Mesh (Shook Style) the strips are laid out in a grid. All strips in any direction are parallel to each other.




And to complicate it even more. My 72" prototype has the vanish points only at the bottom with no center panel. I won't even make this design in a full size. it's far too complicated. This is also a design that has a very high "Well I made a Flag" failure rate.

The Full Perspective design bends the eye with a bit of an optical illusion when they are flying.




Does all of that help or just make it worse??

Quite creative and obviously quite a challenge.

Mocking up the final layout

How do you sew it - horizontal or vertical? I'm guessing horizontal.

Not sure I fully understand your question.
In this kite, Assume the red strips are grouped in with the other color going in that direction. All of the Dark Blue strips (Technically Vertical) are hemmed before assembly. I used the hemming from the yellow strips (Technically Horizontal) to attach the 2 directions. In general, whenever possible, I try not to show the extra stitch on the front of the kite.



This of course is not possible with a basket weave approach which I won't do with this type of mesh..

The reason for this is to avoid little ravioli type pockets to trap dirt.

Thanks that answers my question.

It is really looking good!

I took some pics of "Kat Scratch Fever", my first RiffClown Kite, today in 20+ winds. A testament to how incredible these kites are.

I have flown it in 5 mph and 20+ mph. Strong as can be in that kite killing wind.

See other post here:
Kat Scratch Fever

Paul

Still a ways to go but getting there..

what's the projected wind range for something like this?
tom

I'd say anywhere from 12-30MPH. You can probably fly it in 8-9 with practice.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/quadline/permalink/940057959...

Just needs a bridle check and photo op before it heads out..

Happy with the Bridle test. Kite responds well even in ZERO wind.

Always a good feeling after building a kite and it flies......Makes it all worthwhile.

I am looking forward to proudly flying and showing off your amazing work!

Well done. Well done!
Paul

Well Everything from this point on is "after" Looking forward you your perspective and honest opinion.

That was a looooong ""during"" for transport..

OK Coming Soon --> AFTER!!!

I was able to get out to the field yesterday to fly the new Riff Clown kite. To say that it flew amazing would be an understatement!

I was originally worried that I had requested that it be too vented. My concerns were quickly erased when I flew it on 40 ft strings.

The wind was 3-5 gusting to 5-7 is my (expert) opinion based on how much my ears do/do not crackle from the wind (I have a cochlear implant because I am deaf).

Nice view in Colorado, eh? I have the same view from my back deck!



Betcha didn't know that oil is a resource of Colorado. Oil derricks are everywhere and typically run at night when electricity is cheaper. And you do NOT own mineral rights under your house!



The wind was low as can be seen here:


The kite has an enormous wind range. I could not be happier!
iPaul