Build your kite

Want to build your own quad line kite and gear? Improve your building techniques? Or just curious? Here are the first answers!

Most of the quad line kites we use are of the Revolution type. Revolutions were invented by the Hadzicki family over 30 years ago. Their patent fell into the public domain around 2008. The market then opened up, leading to numerous innovations by kitefliers and companies. We’re still seeing developments in quad line flying. Many plans are available and free for family use.

Please note: this content is made available to amateur kitefliers. These plans are not intended for commercial use!

Thanks to all the kitefliers who have contributed to these plans, tutorials and videos.

Kite-building tutorials

We offer several tutorials for building quad line and dual line kites. They include explanations, step-by-step illustrations and often plans.

Building a quad line kite by Polo Kites

Polo Kites reports on how he built his revopolos (quad line kites) around 2006. This article includes over 100 explanatory photos!

Building your first quad line kite by Guardian

Guardian tells us about his first quad line kite build and what he learned from it. The article is concise, illustrated and very clear!

Essentials by Spence Watson (Revolution 1.5 type)

The Essentials is a Revolution 1.5 kite, available in standard, semi-ventilated, ventilated and ultra-ventilated versions.

Mini Pulse by Josh Mitcheson (Revolution 2 type)

The Mini Pulse is a Revolution 2 kite. This tutorial includes full-size plans and 7h30 of tutorials. The plans allow you to build several models: standard, semi-ventilated and ventilated.

Rev 1.5 by Yves Ganne (Revolution 1.5 type)

Yves Ganne explains how he builds his Rev 1.5. This tutorial includes full-size plans, over 100 photos and written explanations!

Rev 1.5 by Punk Sportif (Revolution 1.5 type)

Build a homemade Revolution 1.5 by Punk sportif, including plan, explanations and photos.

2-line freestyle kite

Tom’s website explains how to build a dual line freestyle kite from A to Z: plans, materials, illustrated step-by-step guides, and much more. After nearly 10 years in existence, we still consider “Tom’s Kite Building Site” to be THE reference site for learning how to build a dual line kite. Many of the techniques explained are applicable to the construction of quad line kites.

Other kite plans

Amateur kitefliers offer their plans inspired by well-known kites, including the Revolution :

• Revo size 1.5
  • Plan – Batoco.org
  • Plan – Drachenforum.net
• Revo indoor
  • Map – Batoco.org
• Shockwave
  • Map – Batoco.org
• Flat Synergy Deca Keg
  • Plan – Batoco.org

Kiteplans.org also offers a wide range of plans, although often less complete and older: plans.

Various construction techniques

Accelerated construction videos

You can also watch some construction videos.

Modifying your kite

Transforming a classic bridle into a turbo bridle

Ventilating a kite

Feedback – Au fil du vent forum

• Choosing the ventilation zone
• Ventilating an existing kite
• Ventilating a kite

Installing a T-connector

Riffclown’s tutorial for installing T-connectors between the leading edge and the vertical rods.

Sewing techniques

Never used a sewing machine? Don’t worry: it’s easy to learn when you’re building your first kite! Many a kiteflier has been there!

Choosing the sewing machine

You don’t need a professional sewing machine to build Revolutions or other quad line kites.

Here are the essential features we’ve learned from our experience. The vast majority of sewing machines include these features:

• 2 stitches: straight stitches and 3-stitch zig-zag. Straight stitches may even suffice.
• Tension adjustment, manual or automatic, to adapt sewing to different thicknesses
• Simple claw feed, or better, for regular seams
• A rheostat pedal for speed control

In terms of reputation, you can check that the machine sews evenly. It can be annoying to have missed stitches in the middle of a 2-meter seam!

Techniques to learn

• Set up and store the sewing machine
• Thread and install bobbin
• Set tension
• Manage sewing speed
• Use bartacks
• Undo a seam after a mis-stitch
• Tying simple knots

Tips for getting started

It’s by practicing that you’ll learn fastest and gain confidence. To do this, you can use all the spinnaker leaks you have and practice as much as you need!

Before starting a long seam,

• Always check the amount of thread in the spool and bobbin.
• Test the thread tension on scraps of the same thickness as the sail to be sewn (e.g. 2 layers of dacron and spinnaker for the leading edge).
• Allow for a few centimeters of slack thread, and hold these at the start of the seam to prevent them from escaping.
• Check that you can sew the planned length without being hindered by the shape of the sail and the sewing machine.
• Anticipate your sewing path and steps.
• Make sure you won’t be disturbed while you’re sewing.
• Make yourself comfortable.

When sewing,

• Start with a bartack if you need to.
• Maintain a steady, comfortable speed.
• Check that the seam doesn’t miss a little at a time. Stop if there are (see below).
• Before reaching the end, leave space for a stop stitch if necessary.

In case of failure,

1. Trim with a seam ripper up to the missed stitches.
2. Don’t cut excess threads – they’ll come in handy.
3. Resume sewing at the last correct stitch.
4. Once the seam is finished, you can knot the ends of the first and second seams.

Tutorials and sewing guides

• Sewing basics – Blog Je fais moi-même (French blog)

Videos of various techniques

Here are some illustrated techniques for key steps. There are other techniques for each of these steps

Preparing patterns

Cutting gauze panels

Gluing and sewing panels

Reinforcing the V of a Revolution

Gauze a leading edge

Making a trailing edge (without bias)

Making a trailing edge with bias

Making an English seam

Making a leading edge

Note: in general, kitefliers add the gauze to the sail, then the dacron sheath to make the leading edge. Here, Riffclown shows us the opposite approach: he prepares the entire leading edge, then adds it to the sail.

Making a bridle

Various resources

• Feedback on kite making – Au fil du vent forum (French forum)
  • Revolution 1 construction
  • Revolution 2 construction
  • Usefulness of gauze on the leading edge
• Construction pack by Cerf-volant services
• Quad line kites group – Facebook
  • Here you’ll find dozens of home-building examples
• Building examples and techniques – Watty.us
• Sewing tips – Cerf-volant service
• Building a dual line kite – Vimeo
• Building materials – Ventsnick
• Tools – Ventsnick
• Assembly techniques – Ventsnick
• Designing a Revolution sail with a pattern – Cengel kite (in German)

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