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Snoopy · Joined: 20 Dec 2003 Posts: 57 Location: USA CT Milford

I want to make a banner with a half round top, about 2 ft wide x 7 ft high (picture a tongue depressor or popsicle stick). The question is how do I make the sleeve for the rod where it goes around the arc?
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Think

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Larry

Dorsal · Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2005 3:29 am Post subject:

Larry -
I presume you are going to use something like 1/8" fiberglass rod around the top??
If so, I'd probably cut the top of the banner to the finished shape. Then I'd fold a 1" wide piece of material on half, and sew that over the curved section, using a straight stitch about 1/8" from the open edges of the folded piece, to make a pocket like the leading edges of a dualline kite, but smaller. I'd leave the last 1 inch or so unsewn, at both ends of the curve, and then fold the edging material back under and sew it across the end. That way, you'll have a 1" wide area to slip the rod in from one end, push it around until it seats against the far end, then trim the rod so it is just short enough to let the last end slip into the last pocket. Hope that makes sense.
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"The wind is the perfect reminder of God.
The only way we can prove it exists is by observing the things it affects.
That's why I believe in the wind, too."
Dennis
Baha'i Faith

Grant L · Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2005 4:01 am Post subject:

When I was sewing the edge onto "SmoochyPuss," I had a heck of a time sewing the edge around the curve without it puckering. When I built the angel plays kite in Robert Brasingtons class, he showed how to do the leading edge in a really cool way. We folded the leading edge material in half and then sewed it to the front side of the leading edge, ( the two edges of the pocket material even with the edge of the sail.) Then we folded the raw edges to the back of the kite and sewed the edge down to the kite sail. It was much easier to get the pocket material nice and smooth this way. The pocket material on the angel kite is narrow and this may make a difference. You might experiment on a scrap piece and see if it works

Dorsal · Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2005 4:20 am Post subject:

Oh, well if going around the curve is a problem, you could always use some of KiteStudio's Herringbone Edge Binding material. It works very well. Smile

EBGB · Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2005 6:26 am Post subject:

I think you'll need to run the rod parallel to the pole pocket for some distance in order to give it some support. If the rod pocket is just added on to the end, it's going to flop over to one side.

Have you given any thought how you're going to do your pole pocket?
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Don Ostey

TS · Joined: 30 Jul 2004 Posts: 127 Location: England

Hi,

I've made a few banners with half curved tops. Here is one of them:

I used Ripstop for the sail and a heavy weight nylon for the sleeve. I got this heavy weight material for quite a cheap price at a local material shop. It seems to sew around the corner quite well - not as good as biased binding, but good enough for a banner!!

I use a fishing pole that tapers off at the end as the rod. This goes around the curve well. Just reinforce the end well to stop the rod popping through.

-Dave

Snoopy · Joined: 20 Dec 2003 Posts: 57 Location: USA CT Milford

mhartzel · Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2005 12:40 pm Post subject:

TS makes a good point...
What about having a sleeve around half of the curve at the top. That should hold it open enough to be read.
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Mark
Sand, Street or Sky... I love to fly.

EBGB · Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2005 5:01 pm Post subject:

Snoopy · Joined: 20 Dec 2003 Posts: 57 Location: USA CT Milford

Thanks for all the help. I finally finished it about 2 hours before the opening ceremonies last week.
I wound up with a 1/2 inch sleeve along the curve [12 inch radius], and after trial and error, drew radial lines every 2 inches on the circumference. This allowed me to fold in the hem evenly one point at a time, basting at each mark, then going back and sewing the seam, pleating the hem between the bastes. The crotch of the Seam Ripper was handy for making the pleat, catch the hem and fold by turning, made sure to orient in the direction that the rod would go in so as not to catch in a fold.
The 'applique' is Insignia Cloth. The M O M stands for 'Milford Operation Mainstream', our Special Olympics team. The graphic in the center of the O is the Special Olympics logo, the sports graphics are the events our group compete in: Aquatics, Track and Field, Bowling, and Alpine Skiing.
The reason for the arch top was to hold the banner open indoors.
http://www.kitebuilder.com/forums/album_pic.php?pic_id=2544
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Larry