Kite Bag

One of the first times I conversed with the guy I would later marry, he was talking about his kite and his kite gloves.  Kite gloves?!  Yeah, kite gloves.  I totally made fun of him for his kite gloves.  Like who has those?

I should have bit my tongue because I just made him a kite bag to carry his kites.  Yes, kites.  Plural.

These aren't just your run of the mill crapperware*, I mean kites, these are really, really nice ones.

Some people are really into these things, and he's gotten more into them since he graduated from college for the 2nd time.

Kite bags online were running $130-$150, and we figured I could probably make something that would work just fine.  It's interesting watching my sewing skills* evolve over the years.  When we were first married I was annoyed that I didn't have a sewing machine because I wanted to do simple things like hem pants.  Once I got a machine, I realized I could do useful stuff like make humanitarian baby blankets and window treatments.  Then, I got all historical and started making re-enactment clothing.  Now, I've had my hand at maternity-wear.  Who knows where your sewing will take you?

I thought of making this into a tutorial, but since we didn't know what we were doing, I didn't bother. Hopefully, though, if you want to make your own, you can get the concept and go for it.

It was slightly difficult working on this project, as Evan did the design rather than me.  It's a little hard interpreting what exactly the other person wants when you're using slightly different terms to explain the same thing.  The biggest trick was figuring out the buckle/handle system.  We had to fix it 4 times!  We did put a dowel in the edge by the handle so it won't gape open when he carries it.

 

There's room on the left for another big kite, or we can divide the pocket for two more smaller kites.  On the right at the top is a n open pocket, and below that is a pocket with a top flap.  We didn't put Velcro on the flap, but we could.  Another option would be to make a zippered pocket.

You can see the bottom pocket with the flap in this picture.  You can see the buckles out to the side.  Most of the strapping/buckles we cut off of old backpacks (even bought a new bag at the DI to use some of its "hardware."  We also bought some of the notions at the fabric store, but it was way cheaper to buy a bag at the 

DI and cut it apart.

All rolled up with adjustable straps and handles.

He can carry it down or over the shoulder.  He thought maybe we should have made it with camouflage fabric so people would think it was a gun.

In the end, he said, "Wow!  This turned out better than I thought it would!"  (What?  You doubt my sewing skills? ;) )  He also said, "I just can't believe you can make stuff like this without a factory full of Chinese immigrants!"

Total cost around $30.
Total time 5-6 hours.  To make another would take probably less than half the time.


*Have you seen Napoleon Dynamite?