How To Make A Sword And Scabbard Out Of Balloons

Step 1: You will need

Step 2: Blow up

Place the lip of a 260Q balloon over the nib of your pump. Inflate the balloon leaving a 2 1/2 inch tail.

Step 3: Tie off

Loop the lip around your fingers, then tuck it through the loop. Gently pull and release to form the knot.

Step 4: Tulip twist

Make a tulip twist for the handle of the sword. Tuck the knot inside with your finger and pinch it with your other hand. Pull your finger out of the balloon and twist above the knot. Then poke it back into the tulip or apple shape. See 'How to Start Balloon Modelling' for more information on tulip twists.

Step 5: Make the handle

Hold the balloon with the tulip twist pointing upwards. Fold the end of the balloon up, down and up again so it is folded three times but there is still about 10 inches left unfolded. Now bunch the folds together, holding each one in the centre, and squeeze them together, twisting one side only so that they join with the top of the tulip twist. You will now have three loops. Position them at right angles to the sword.

Step 6: Measure the scabbard

Inflate a 160Q balloon fully and tie it off. Squeeze it a little to relax it. This will make it easier to wear as a scabbard. Measure a loop that fits around your waist by bringing the knot end on towards the middle of the balloon. Twist together to lock it off.

Step 7: Make the loop

Make a bubble in the tail end, then bring it into the first loop twist and lock off with another twist. Position the bubbles so that one lies on top of the join and the other below it.

Place the sword in the scabbard and wear with pride!