4.09.2013

Try This: Hot Air Balloons

DIY Hot Air Balloons

Try This: Hot Air Balloons

Yesterday, I shared pictures of the hot air balloon-themed baby shower that I co-hosted over the weekend. I worked with Alison, the mom-to-be, to make sure all my shower decor could pull double duty in the nursery.  In fact, she even shared scrap fabric from some bedding projects that her mother-in-law is taking on to integrate into my projects.  Today, I'm here to share the full how-to for making the centerpiece of the shower's decor -- the hot air balloons themselves.

Read on for the full tutorial.

DIY Hot Air Balloons 1
MATERIALS: Paper Lantern, Fabric, Wooden Berry Baskets, Twine

DIY Hot Air Balloon Measurements
ONE: What we're essentially doing here is making a fabric tube with drawstrings at the top and bottom.  The length and height of this tube will be guided by the measurements of your paper lantern.  Measurement A represents the circumference and length of the tube.  Measurement B is the surface distance between each of the lantern's openings and represents the height of your tube.

TWO: Based on these measurements, cut your fabric to size adding the necessary seam allowances.  For example, my lantern had a circumference of 56" and a surface distance of 22".  I chose eight alternating panels using Alison's fabric -- each cut to 8" wide (56" divided by 8 panels + 1/2" seam allowance on each side) by 24" tall (22" + 1" on the top and bottom for the drawstrings).

DIY Hot Air Balloons 2
THREE: With right sides facing, sew all the panels end to end -- including the first and last panels -- to create a tube.  Along one of the seams, leave an unsewn opening about 1/2" long 1/4" from both the top and bottom edges.  Trim any excess fabric.

DIY Hot Air Balloons 3
FOUR: Fold over about 1" of fabric on the top and bottom.  Press into place.  Place a length of twine under the fold, and thread the ends through the unsewn openings.

DIY Hot Air Balloons 4
FIVE: Topstitch the folds down about 3/4" from the edge, making sure to keep the twine inside the fold.  Tie the ends of the twine together, and trim.

DIY Hot Air Balloons 5
SIX: Assemble the lanterns.  Place the fabric tube around them and cinch the top and bottom.  Tie off the twine, and either trim or tuck inside.  Attach a little wooden berry basket like these with some twine.  I glued a few mini paper flags around the edge for a little something extra!  Hang and enjoy!

DIY Hot Air Balloons 6
DIY Hot Air Balloons 7
DIY Hot Air Balloons 8
DIY Hot Air Balloons 9

Mandy P
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12 comments:

  1. These are just darling! How I wish I could sew. :-( And that bunting along the table edge is so sweet, too!

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  2. Pinning NOW!! xx. McKenna Lou
    www.lynnandlou.com

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  3. Those are Oh. So. Cute! Thanks for sharing how you made them. I saw your post over at Dollar Store Crafts. I don't know if I have seen the large paper lanterns like those at my Dollar Store but now I will keep my eyes out for them.

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  4. Oh my goodness-the cuteness is too much!

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  5. These are probably the cutest shower decorations I've ever seen. Such a good idea!

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  6. I just love love love these! I think these are perfect for any room.

    Sisters, Sisters

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  7. Does anyone know where to find lantern material?

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    1. I'm not sure I understand the question. The fabric that I used to make the lantern covers were just quilting cotton. The paper lanterns themselves can be found at World Market, Ikea, or at online shops like Luna Bazaar. I hope this helps!

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  8. You can find a wonderful selection of paper lanterns at www.orientaltrading.com

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  9. Hi there! What size lanterns did you use? I was hoping to find smaller lanterns somewhere, any suggestions? Thanks!

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    Replies
    1. Not sure what size these were, but they were pretty big...maybe 18" in diameter. As for smaller ones, I'm not totally sure. I would suggest just poking around online to see what you can find.

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