Tying and fixing up
1. Choosing of materials:
The materials most often used to make kite frames include
mao bamboo, cane, reed and dragon spruce strips.
2. Processing:
Take processing mao bamboo as an example: Usually,
it requires a five-step process including selection of bamboo materials,
pulling apart, splitting into thin strips, embellishing bamboo strips and
winding.
3. Tying:
A level working table should be prepared before tying
a kite and the materials for making kite frames should be processed into
the designed shape.
4. Basic tools for tying kites:
When the materials for building a kite are ready, various
tools shall be chosen and provided. They mainly include scissors, pliers,
stove, alcohol burner or candle, file, saws (big and small), clippers, iron,
planing machines, pigments of various colors and strings for tying.
Apering
Paper is
widely used for making kites. With different requirements for different
styles of kites of different sizes, the materials should possess high resilience
and tensile strength. The commonly used materials include silk, mulberry
paper, xian paper, Korean paper, crepe paper and plastic film. These materials
are of light texture, evenly distributed fiber and with good effect after
coloring.
Binding materials are varied. The most commonly used
are paste made of flour, synthetic glue and white emulsion.
Painting
The art of
painting on kites requires comprehensive skills. Painting, the use of colors
and designing of patterns on kites are important factors for the craft of
kite making.