The Kite as It Appears with the Festoons Hung to the Ends of the Sticks
It will be seen that the kites do not extend to the top and bottom of the spine stick. The first bow stick is placed 13 in. from the top end of the spine, and each of its ends extends 6 in. beyond the kite for fastening the festoons. The bow sticks should be lashed to the spine, not nailed. Wind diagonally around the two sticks, both left and right, then wind between the two, around the other windings. This draws all windings up tightly to prevent slipping.
To string up the upper kite, drill a small hole through the spine, 6 in. from the top, at A, and also 6 in. from each end of the bow stick, at B and C. If a small drill is not available, notch the stick with a knife or saw to hold the string. Another hole is made in the spine 29 in. from the upper bow stick, or at D. Tie the outline string at A, then pass through the hole at C, then through D, up through B and back to the starting point at A. In tying the last point, draw up the string tightly, but not enough to spring the spine or bow. Measure carefully to see if the distance AC is the same as AB, and if CD is equal to BD. If they are not, shift the string until they are equal and wind at all points, as shown at E, to prevent further slipping. Proceed in the same way with the center and lower kite, and it will be ready for the cover.
The cover tissue should be cut about 1 in. larger all around than the surface to be covered, but turn over about half of this allowance. This will give plenty of looseness to the cover. For the fringe festoons, cut strips of tissue paper, 2¹⁄₂ in. wide, paste ¹⁄₂ in. of one long edge over a string, and cut slits with scissors at intervals of 1 in. along the loose edge. After the fringe has been made, attach it as shown in the illustration. Do not stretch it tightly, but give sufficient looseness to make each length form a graceful curve and keep the sides well balanced.
To bend the bows of the upper and center kites, attach a string from end to end of each bow on the back side of the kite and spring in short brace sticks in the manner usual for tailless kites.
Attach the upper end of the bridle at A. The length of the bridle string is 87 in. and the kite line is attached to it 30 in. from A, leaving the lower part from this point to F, where it is tied to the spine, 57 in. long.
The kite should fly without a tail, but if it dodges too much, attach extra streamers to the ends of the bow sticks of the lower kite, and to the bottom of the spine.
If good combinations of colors are used a very beautiful kite will be the result, and one that will fly well.