Hahaha, the ribs were the one thing I *did* remember from my conversation with Brent years ago. Now it’s just getting them attached to the fabric. I’ve found a preference for sewing them on (mostly because I just can’t wrap my head around how glue or tape will hold under the centrifugal forces) although early attempts at sewing have failed miserably…
Here’s the “instructions” I’ve compiled, pulled from my memory and trial and error. I’ve gotten up to the point of attaching the spines to the fabric:
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These are instructions to build a fan with a diameter of 28”. See the “Calculations” page if you wish to alter the dimensions.
Supplies needed
• Sharp scissors (these are going to get disgustingly sticky, prepare to clean them often)
• Fabric scissors
• Sharp knife
• 9″ bamboo dollar store oriental-style fan
• 60m x 11/16″ filament tape
• work boot lace
• Bristol Board
• Light but durable fabric of your choice for the inner “body”
• light, billowy fabric of your choice for the outer rim
• Dress-makers’ pins
• Strong thread to match your cloth
• Sewing machine (preferably with regular, zig-zag, and zipper feet)
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The Skeleton
1. Cut paper off of the fan, get as much off as possible.
2. Remove pin using a sharp knife (if plastic) or a thin saw (if metal).
3. Throw out one of the inner spines (you want an odd number).
4. Wrap the inner spines from tip to heel on roughly a 30° angle.
5. Do it again, but on the opposite angle (you want a criss-cross for strength).
6. Wrap the outer two spines the same as above, but start at the heel.
7. Cut 1.5″ strips of the tape (as many as you have spines).
8. Wrap the heel of each inner spine perpendicular.
9. Drill a new 1/8″ hole, 1/2″ in from the heel end on all inner spines and the two outer spines.
10. Mark the spines 6” from the centre of that new hole.
11. Cut 8” lengths of tape.
12. Place the tape at the mark you made in Step 10, with the tape going beyond the tip of the spine.
13. Fold the tape over on itself and place the end on the other side of the spine from where you stared. Try as hard as possible to line up the sides of the tape so there’s no sticky overhang. (Be warned, this step is a royal pain in the ass)
14. Trim the corners off the tape on the spine end.
15. Repeat Steps 11 thru 14 for the outer spines, but use a 12” length of tape.
16. For the outer spines, but at the tape-end of things, do something similar to Step 8. The outer spines will take the most stress so they have to be strong.
17. When finished, and for safe-keeping, place the spines tape-side upright in a glass. This keeps dust, hair and other crap from getting stuck on the sticky bits.
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The Covering (based on an arc of 225°)
1. Find the mid-point of one of the long edges of the Bristol board (this board will become your template for cutting fabric).
2. Measure perpendicularly inwards to 5 13/16” and mark that point.
3. Using whatever means you wish, draw a circle around that point with a 14” radius. (You will obviously run off the board on one edge…)
4. Cut along the 14” line, discarding the corner bits. Also cut out the triangle along the flat side. You should have what looks like a PacMan with a really wide mouth.
5. Draw another circle with a 6” radius using the same centre point. DO NOT cut out this other circle, as you still need the initial point for assembly purposes.
6. Poke holes about 1” apart along the 6” radius line.
7. Trace the template onto your fabric, and poke your pencil/pen through the holes to mark out the 6” radius.
8. Cut the fabric along the outer edge, but do not cut out the 6” radius (you need to be able to see the centre-point to line things up).
9.
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Putting It All Together
1. Lay out the spines in the
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Calculations
If you’re like me, you don’t remember much of high school or college geometry. Below are listed the equations necessary to get the correct angels and measurements for your template and cloth.
Circumference = πd (that is 3.1415926 x diameter)
