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Flat Stuffing

by Ralph Dewey

The Balloon HQ challenge this month is a design that uses the flat stuffing method. Hans Siemons first used the Flat Stuffing technique in his CD-rom "Twisted Mind" found at this web page: http://www.twistedmind.nl/indextw.htm

There are times when you need to make a flat long balloon shape. One way to accomplish this is by stuffing a folded #160 balloon loop into an airship balloon. I've used this method to make a feather, fender for a bike or motorcycle and a broad blade sword. The following is one way to achieve this look.

Broad Blade Sword

I'll show you how to make a broad blade sword this month. Using the flat stuffing method is too risky and time consuming for line work. But when you are making something special in the seclusion of your home, it may be worth the effort. First I'll show you how to make the blade of the sword by stuffing a #160 balloon into a #350 balloon. A longer sword blade can be made by using a #360 or longer airship balloon.

Stuffing a #160 into a #350

This is not an easy procedure to do. It will take some trial and error until you master the concept. Begin by inflating a #350 airship balloon from the nipple end. One way to do this is to suck a bubble on the nipple so it is swollen slightly and then inflate the balloon. Inflate only about 10 inches or so and tie off the #350. Inflate a #160 balloon to about 26 inches and tie off. Tie the inflated ends together and cut off the excess. Make sure that the balloon is fully tight, not soft. A soft balloon will be too difficult to make the stuffing process work.

Flatten the #160 and hold your index finger against its folded end as shown. Hold the uninflated part of the #350 between your knees while you are in the sitting position. Begin to poke the folded end of the #160 balloon into the nipple end of the #350 balloon. Once your index finger and the #160 are in as far as your knuckle, grasp the #160 from the outside of the #350. Extract your hand, and while holding both balloons, get another grip farther down on the #160. Control the expansion of the airship balloon by the pressure of your knees. Little by little keep inserting the #160 until it is entirely inside the #350. Once #160 is completely in, cut the #350 near the nozzle so the air escapes and shrinks around the flattened #160 inside. Peel off the outer skin of the #350. You have successfully inverted the #350. The #350 will have some wrinkles and this is normal. Now use a pump to inflate the #350 so that it is no longer tightly surrounding the #160 and the #350 is without wrinkles. Now deflate the #350 balloon to get a smooth flat shape.

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Tip: It is best to use the same color #160 and #350 balloons. Also don't mouth inflate the balloons because moisture gets in them causing some sticking spots. See the photo of the orange #350 balloon with a dark brown #160 balloon inside to see what I mean.

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Sword Handle

For the button on the end of the sword handle, inflate a 1" bubble on the nipple end of a black #160 balloon. Tie a knot and then tie a second knot about 1" from it. Trim off the excess balloon as shown. Inflate a red #260 to about 8 inches and tie off the nozzle. Take the second knot of the button and apple-twist it to the end of a red #260 thus making a 1-1/2" apple twist. Twist off about a 6" bubble from the red #260 and tie it off. Then tie it to the nozzle of the flat broad sword.

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Quillon

Note: As the Quillon is being made, you will need to place the knots of the sword blade and the handle between the middle set of 3" bubbles. This captures it and holds it in place.

Fully inflate a black #260 except for about 4" and tie off the nozzle. Twist off bubbles in this order: 1" ear twist, 3" bubble, 3/4" bubble, 3" bubble, 3/4" bubble, 3" bubble and a 1" ear twist.

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Twist off a 3" bubble, a 3/4" ear twist. Twist it together with the second 3/4" ear twist. Twist off a 3" bubble and place the knots of the blade and hilt in position. Twist off a 3/4" ear twist and twist it together with the first 3/4" ear twist. Twist off a 3" bubble and twist-connect it to the first 1" ear twist. Cut and discard the excess balloon. That completes the broad blade sword.

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