In the hot summer holidays when everyone wants to be outside, an awning provides the comfort of enjoying the cool breeze while staying away from the harsh effects of the sun. Building an awning requires time but can also lower the costs in your pocket. Whether you would like to attempt it on your own or you would like help from a friend, building one is economical. So follow the instructions below and build your own awning.
Tools required
- Drill
- Measuring tape
- 2 screw hooks
- Sewing machine or needle and thread
Materials required
- Tarpaulin (tarp) or desired Cloth (material depends on your liking)
- Steel rod
- Rope
- Grommets
- Screw eyes
Instructions
- Take the two bamboo sticks and cut them with the knife making the longest turning vertical (referred to as the spine of the kite) which is normally (about 102cm) and the shortest horizontal (about 85cm) and tie them with the chord at the centre where it forms the frame of the kite. Make sure the lengths that separate the horizontal bamboo stick is equal. Use the ruler to check the measurements.
- Next make a small indent at the end of each bamboo stick, deep enough that a set of strings can be placed through them. Then cut a piece of string that will go through each indent of the bamboo sticks at each end so that it encircles the kite.
- Stretch the string around the kite so that it makes a loop at the top of the kite so that it can be wrapped a couple of times to secure the frame.
- Using the scissor, cut the plastic bag into pieces so it is big enough to cover each triangle in the kite and goes over the borders of the kite. Use the glue to paste down each section tightly to the edges and ensure that it folds over the string frame. Take another set of strings and tie them at each end where they will be tied together at the centre, where the chord or fishing will be attached when the time comes for it to fly.
- Attach another piece of string at the end of the kite about 130 cm in length which will be the tail of the kite.
Tips and Warning
- Spray glue is also effective when pasting the plastic bag over the kite.
- Some glue can be placed at the centre to re-enforce the frame when they’re being tied together.
- Making the frame curved or bowed provides the kite with more stability.
- Some persons tend to decorate their take by placing ribbons on it about 10 cm from each other.
- You can use your own creativity and innovativeness to make kites with the same method and concept to make different designs such as octagons etc.
- A method used to test the balance of the kite is to hold it up by a string when it is finished.