I am trying to introduce balloon hats into a gig and I am trying to get proficient at making Patricia Bunnel's character hats from her "Twisted Critters" DVDs. I am using standard Qualatex 260s, but my hat bases are coming out too small. If I make the original ring big enough for a head (especially an adult's head) the tail makes an insufficient arch over to top to make an acceptable hat. I have been stretching the balloons, but they seem just too short. What am I doing wrong? Or do I need to add another balloon?

A lot of Patricia's hat require a lot of stretching prior to twisting in order to complete the figure. She shows how she stretches her balloons on at least one of her videos. If you are making the hat for an adult, or just want to take the possibility of not having enough balloon, I would just add in another balloon as you suggested.

Steve

How do you inflate, I found when I used a hand pump my hat bases seemed smaller then when I started useing an electric pump and then when I changed to a filbert. The only time I must stretch a balloon for is the viking hat as I make it larger than a regular hat.

Hope this helps.

Jeff

I have been using a hand pump for parctice, but I do intend to get a filbert.

Have you tried the Sempertex/Betallic brand? as they are between 4/6 inches longer before even being stretched and then at least a foot longer once stretched as well

Cold blowing is much of your problem. You only need 1/2 inch of tail for each twist. Stantard helmet hat you need less than an inch of tail. Warm blowing using your mouth opposed to a pump.

Stretch the balloon by runnning your hand down it tightly. Any moisture on your hand will result in a terrible screech. You can also pull the ends apart too. Dewey says there needs to be some heat to get a stretch.

Sizing tips, I always wear a bowler hat, I size it on my hat first. Small kids towards the top of the hat, adults closer to the brim.

If the hat is too large, put a bend in it. If it is too small try gently stretching it on the hat band portion.

In most of my creations I do not go ear to ear with the top of the hat, instead I picture the connections this way... like a clock face. So instead of going from 3 o'clock to 9 o'clock I use a 3 o'clock to 12 o'clock.



BTW Graham, hung out with Anthony Owen the other day. Great guy!! He also likes your magic balloon act too.

Mark,

Thanks for your help.

I don't think I will be able to blow balloons up by mouth due to a health problem. I will try the filbert pump.

The top arch on Bunnell's hats do not go ear to ear, but do run from front to back. I don't believe that going from 3 o'clock to 12 o'clock is a viable option due to the construction/design considerations for Bunnell's hats.

I think I am leaning toward using an extra balloon.

0pus

Yep good quality and you can give them some wellie !!!

"wellie?"

I am unfamiliar with the term. Does it have anything to do with Wellingtons?

I think you are on the right track with the idea of tying in an extra balloon. You won't need to be worried about not having stretched the balloon enough. Also, you won't need to be worried about having enough balloon if the head that the hat is destined for is a bit larger.

Grab both ends and PULL. I use a filbert and this helps but it can be done with a hand pump also, just show that balloon whos boss!
right now at my restrant gig I do nothing but hats. after a while you start to size by sight.

Also to big is funnie, to small is a problem. so streetch that balloon.

No. Wellie means you can be quite rough with this type of balloon as its strong and wont burst.

Glad he liked it, we did discuss doing some of it on the film magicians, but they decided to go with the balloon swollowing instead and then cut it out.

It also doesn't help that neither qualatex nor betalatex balloons are a true sixty inches in length. Go ahead, stretch the crap out of them and try it. Please let me know if anyone can get either one to sixty inches in length.

Gala Balloons are CONSISTENTLY sixty inches, but they don't seem to have the consistency of Q or B. They are also sold by the gross ( 144 per bag). But, I have never found them in anything other than an assortment.

The only thing I can suggest is that you make the hat ring, tie and tear off the excess and then using a new balloon, put the top piece on, tie and tear off the excess.

I just inflated a sempertex/betallatex to over 66 inches with no trouble at all.
Pre stretched it twice and then one stretch when inflated.

Congrats. I have pulled the living $*&^ out of the ones I have and cannot make 60 inches. I stretch them the full span of my arms.

I think my pre stretch and yours are different. You need to hold the balloon between your thumb and index finger and with your other hand pull the balloon through your fingers while exerting pressure onto the balloon. This will get you between 4/6 inches more length on the ballloon when inflated, by just holding either end of the balloon in each hand and stretching your arms out will not do anything at all to the balloon.

Thank you for the tip, Graham. I've never seen a balloon stretched in such a manner, But I'll do it. Anything is worth a shot
Cheers,
Scruffy

You could always get one of the Swedish pumps to help you out : )

Yeah Baby!!!

Those don't work!



Uhh, a friend of mine told me .. yeah, that's it, a friend of mine.

I swear that's not mine, Baby. I don't know where you ever got that idea.

Honestly!