Step 7 - Take two of the gores and
lay one on top of the other, slightly
offsetting the top gore to one side by
3/8 inch. Apply glue to the lower
panel along the 3/8 inch margin and
fold it over onto the top panel. Glue
and fold immediately as you work
along the length of the panel.
Step 8 - Lay a third panel on top of the two just
glued, but this time offset the panel to the
opposite side (see Figure 3). Glue and fold as
you did the first time creating an accordion
fold. Continue in this manner until you have
glued all eight gores. Check often to see if any
of the panels are being glued in the wrong
place.
Step 9 - Now lift the unglued edge of the top
or eighth panel and fold panels two through
seven in half into the center leaving the
edges of panels one and eight to be glued
together like the rest, completing the circle
(see Figure 4). Check once again that there
are no areas glued that should not be.
Step 10 - Open the mouth of the balloon and
make eight tabs in the neck of the balloon by
cutting one-inch deep cuts between each of
the eight seams (see Figure 5).
Step 11 - Make a hoop from the 24-inch piece of
wire. Size the hoop by opening it inside the neck
of the balloon along the end of the cuts you
made for the tabs. Then fix the size of the wire in
place with
Step 12 - Secure the wire hoop in place by
gluing and folding the tabs over it. The wire hoop
serves two purposes 1) to weigh down the
bottom of the balloon so that it is more stable in
flight and 2) to hold the mouth of the balloon
open making it easier to fill with hot air.
Step 13 - Inflate the balloon using a small fan or hair dryer and repair any
unglued seams or holes. Stand the inflated balloon upright and deflate it by
slowly pushing down on the top.