If you buy plastic kites every Easter because you think it’s too difficult to make a traditional Bermuda kite, think again.
Well before Good Friday, stores stock kite-making kits in ample supply. They won’t break the bank: a kit that includes the sticks, bender and nail to make a traditional hexagon kite can usually be found for under $6; a roundy frame is about $22.
Scissors, Elmer’s glue, tissue paper, string and a paintbrush are the only other tools you really need, according to Abigail Kempe, a kite enthusiast with a design on display at LF Wade International Airport. Scraps of fabric for a tail are a required accessory.
“There’s two different schools of thought for making traditional kites. One is, just build a basic kite, something that is going to fly. It doesn’t matter how it looks once it’s up in the sky,” she said.
She hasn’t stopped making kites since she got hooked in childhood. Today she is frequently the go-to expert for friends and family whenever they need help building and decorating their own.
It’s likely because of all of that, that she describes herself as falling firmly in the second camp: people intent on “making a wicked kite”.
“[It’s about] having the clean lines so it looks amazing up close, and [also having] really complicated geometric patterns in it,” she said, noting that it is this attention to detail that makes the kite more time-consuming to create.
“But it doesn’t matter which way you go. Once it’s in the sky, it’s gonna look cool. And once there’s a bunch of them in the sky, it’s just awesome.”
Below, a step-by-step guide on kite making:
1. Materials needs
– Sticks
– Nails
– Glue (Elmer’s white glue, gel, or any type designed for paper)
– Two to three sheets of tissue paper
– Paintbrush (preferably small, around 1 cm width)
– String (to attach to the kite and more for flying)
– An old bed sheet ripped into strips for the tail
2. Hexagon kites
The traditional Bermuda kite can be bought as a pre-made kit. It includes four sticks, the bender and a nail. Three sticks are formed into a hexagon shape; the fourth is used for the head stick. The nail fixes them together at the centre.
There’s no advantage to buying single sticks and making the kite from scratch, Kempe says.
“Just buy the kit. All the sticks are already cut into the perfect hexagon shape that you need. I’ve been making kites for years and I still buy those pre-made kits if I want to make a hexagon kite.”
3. Headsticks and benders
Headsticks and benders are required parts of the frame of kites, no matter what their shape or size. They are not essential for flight but are often used as housing for narrow strips of paper called hummers. The bender, a flexible, curved, piece of bamboo, sits behind the headstick, helping angle it away from the body of the kite. When used with hummers, the headstick extends beyond the kite, upwards from the centre.
“The headstick holds up the hummers. The hummers are what gives [the kite its distinct whine],” she said, explaining that the sound is a more gentle hum than the loud buzzing produced by kites designed to vibrate more intensely,” Kempe said.
4. How to apply tissue paper
Light colours, like pastels or whites, should go as the bottom layers, and darker colours should be put on top to avoid having the dark colours bleed through. Gently trace along the tissue paper with your finger, making an indent showing where to cut. Cut all the tissue paper layers at the same time for consistency. You will then need to fold the paper over the string. When cutting the tissue paper, make sure and leave a small “hem” to ensure a clean and secure fit. Apply the glue thinly and evenly with a paintbrush.
5. Decorating
Keep track of cut pieces of tissue. Start at the top and move clockwise, keeping cut pieces “face up” so that when you are ready to glue you know what goes where.
For a more advanced design, placing darker colours on the outside will create a framed look and help the kite stand out when it is in the sky.
Beginners often try to make overly complicated designs, which can lead to frustration. It’s better to start simple, with a basic kite shape and a couple of colours, Kempe advises.
6. Doily
The doily, which resembles a paper snowflake, covers the intersection of the sticks where they meet at the centre. It hides the spot where all the tissue comes together and is great for decoration. Create your own out of tissue paper and glue it in place.
7. Adding the tail
A tail keeps the kite from fluttering too erratically. A typical Bermuda kite will have a tail of about 20ft for smaller kites and much longer for larger ones. Attach the tail at the bottom of the kite, ensuring it is securely fixed.
8. Attaching the string
This might be the most difficult part as it involves making the loop, a harness that is attached to the kite. It is not a science, more something that a kite maker has a feel for.
“One piece of string creates a loop from the top two corners of the kite. So [the string] ties to top left and goes over to top right, creating a loop. Then a second piece of string [is pushed through] the centre of the kite and will attach to the centre of the loop,” Kempe explained.
“If the loop is off, then the kite angle will be off and it won’t stay up. Once it’s up in the sky it’s awesome. The whole point is to get it up in the sky and be beautiful.”
9. Getting it in the air
For the best launch, choose a wide-open space like a beach or field. Especially for beginners, it’s easier to get a kite up in the air when two people are involved: one holds the kite, ready to release it on command, while the other holds the string and runs to generate lift. As the kite rises, the string holder gradually lets out more line while keeping steady tension.
Always be cautious of wind direction and strength. Not all winds are suitable for kite flying.
On Good Friday, with plenty of people flying kites, don’t hesitate to ask for help if you run into trouble, Kempe said.
“There is no shame. For people who love kite flying, they don’t mind.”
As skilled as she is in kite making, she bows her head in respect to experts like Eugene O’Connor. Known to many as “The Kite Master”, he hosts seasonal workshops and tutorials. See what’s available from him on Facebook (@theartofkitemaking) or Instagram, (@bermudakitemaster).
“If you are making a kite out of season, then you would have to [look for instructions on YouTube]. But we’re about to come into the season and there’s a bunch of people that can help you. It’s usually not hard to find a class if you need one or don’t be afraid to ask someone who knows how already,” Kempe said.
All illustrations are reprinted with kind permission from Bermuda Kites How to Make and Fly them by Frank Watlington
