How to Make a Canvas Kite

A canvas kite does not differ in design from a paper or plastic kite. It's simply made of sturdier materials. Complicated kite designs take greater effort and know-how, but a typical diamond kite can be put together using only a pair of rods, a length of canvas and the string, nails or glue used to tie them together. The trick is to find components which are very strong and yet still lightweight enough to fly.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 24-inch length of doweling rod or bamboo 20-inch length of doweling rod or bamboo 26-inch by 26-inch length of lightweight canvas Craft knife Length of ribbon Pair of scissors strong enough to cut canvas Small tacks or nails Hammer String, wire or fishing line Glue

1. Carve notches into both ends of a 24-inch doweling rod. Repeat the process with a smaller 20-inch doweling rod. If you like, you can use bamboo rods instead of a doweling rods. The notches on each rod should run parallel to each other.

2. Center the 20-inch rod across the 24-inch rod, 6 inches from the top. Position the rods so that their notches are parallel to the ground.

3. Wrap a length of strong string, thin wire or fishing line around the center of the rods in an "X" pattern. They should form a sturdy cross, with no wiggling or shifting. Leave a considerable amount of string on the end. You'll need it for the next step.

4. Run the string up to the top of the 24-inch rod and through the notch. Pull it clockwise down through the remaining notches and then pull it taut. It should form a diamond pattern around the cross.

5. Pull the end of the string through the first notch and then down to the centerpiece again. Wrap it in an "X" pattern and tie it off.

6. Cut a piece of canvas in the same diamond pattern as the kite frame. Make it slightly larger than the frame itself, with an inch or so of additional material on the edges.

7. Stretch the canvas across the string and secure it to the frame. In some cases, you'll be able to use glue. Otherwise, try using a tack or a short nail.

8. Punch a small hole through the kite at the top and the bottom of the 24-inch rod.

9. Run a two-foot piece of strong string or fishing line through the holes and tie them off.

10. Tie a two-foot length of ribbon to the bottom of the kite to act as a tail.

11. Tie a ball of string or fishing line to the two-foot piece, about a third of the way down its length.

12. Find an open space free of power lines and put your kite to flight.