How to make Pointing Arrows
How to make Pointing Arrows
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The next event on the calendar is the Cogswell’s Grant Kite Day on Saturday, September 13.
This photo is from the ConnectiKITERS club web page. Thank you. It shows arrows pointing to the kites from the ground where the kites are anchored. I'm thinking it was a soft wind kind of day, given the angles of the lines to the ground.
Would it not be fun to see multiple arrows pointing up, at Bug Light Park, when we have multiple kites up in the sky?
The pictures here are meant to be studied in sequence and from that you should get the basic idea of how to make a few of these things in not so much time.
An arrow gizmo requires some on-hand fabric; maybe some extra wide, double fold bias tape; some spray adhesive; maybe some template making material (like poster board stuff) unless you like to just wing it; some strong webbing suitable for holding a flying line, and two carabiners. Doesn't hurt to have a hot-cutter but not absolutely necessary.
Obviously you'll need a working sewing machine and some free time.
I made templates because that's how I work. You can simply cut fabric to whatever dimensions you prefer. I used 32 inches by 10 inches. I made the corners curved because I used bias tape and wanted to sew it all in one operation. Square corners are fine. And you don't have to use bias tape. That's just me. A fold-over hem is fine.
This is where a template comes in handy. You will need two (2) arrows for each gizmo and you'll want then exactly the same shape. They can be any shape you want as long as they look like arrows.
The color selections are entirely up to you. Use some spray adhesive to adhere one arrow to the base fabric. Keep things centered. Flip the fabric over and adhere the second arrow (using spray adhesive) exactly over the first arrow. By getting both arrows exactly aligned your sewing will hit both arrows in one operation.
Here a zig-zag stitch was used to secure the arrows (both of them at once) to the base fabric. You could sew only one arrow to the base fabric and back-cut the other side. It's up to you how the arrow is handled. Either method will work well.
This is the bias tape I used, because that's how I work, plus I had a curved fabric edge. A simple fold-over hem is fine as well but doesn't work as well on curves. There is no need to use bias tape or do a hem on the "top" edge of the base fabric. That edge will be occupied with strong webbing.
Your webbing should be very strong, able to act as part of the flying line. Here I have created loops at both ends. One end will attach to a ground anchor device and the other end will attach to the flying line. In my case, I'll use carabiners to make the attachments easier.
Here the webbing loops are not as long as in the previous picture, and it doesn't matter. Note the sewing on the loop - it needs to be secure. The carabiner should be of quality, and strong. Your kite's life, in your possession, depends on the carabiner and the loop sewing.
The gizmo should be sewn to the webbing with enough stitching to make it secure while making it look good.
This is the spray adhesive I use. There are many products like it. It doesn't matter which one you use. It usually doesn't take a lot, just a light coating to cover most of the arrow fabric. When sewing two shapes of fabric together blindly you really want them not moving around as you sew.
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