Parachute assembly

To my detriment at times, I usually follow two mantras- "if it's worth doing, it's worth OVER-doing" and "DIY". I realize I could have just purchased a parachute somewhere, but any idiot can order a parachute online.  It takes  a semi-skilled idiot to make their own parachute.  After finding a template for a hemispherical chute, I picked up the brightest orange rip-stop nylon I could find.

Not having access to a sewing machine and not wanting to sew the whole thing by hand, I found an inexpensive compromise...

What you're looking at is a $15 sewing "machine" I found at Target.  How well does it work?  Well, as good as you would expect from something of that price.  Actually, if you just use the wheel to advance the needle instead of the motor (which is way too fast to control) it works pretty nicely.  Expect some sore fingers.

 

Next up will be to attach the cords and test it out.  I'm still not set on using this one, but I'll wait to see how well it works.  I have a feeling it needs a much larger vent.