You know what scares the crap out of me? Balloons and babies in the same room. Babies (and toddlers, too) love to try to bite them. I'm always so scared that the balloon will pop and hurt the child, or even worse, get lodged in an airway. I was stumbling a while back, and came across this shop on etsy and noticed they sell balloon balls! The basic idea is that the balloon is blown up inside these fabric balls, and -while remaining just as fun- becomes more safe for children. I thought "I can make that!" and did some research. After some trial and error, I came up with this pattern. I promise, it's easy enough as long as you have some knowledge on how to operate a sewing machine. I HATE sewing, but I managed to do it and made two yesterday. It's simple enough that even taking pictures every move, it only took me an hour to complete. I will not be selling these in my shop, I've got too much other stuff going on, so I figured it would be nice to share the pattern with everyone! Beware- it's rather detailed and very picture heavy.
You will need to download, print, and cut out the balloon ball template.



(EDIT 4/2/13: a lot of people have been asking for the tutorial. I'm not certain why it's not showing up here, but it can be found here: http://www.scribd.com/doc/124932034/Balloon-Ball-Tutorial)
*****UPDATE 8/19/13*****
Below, I've attached a PDF of the template. If it doesn't work for you, let me know!
balloonballtut.pdf
File Size: 22644 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

balloonballtemplate.pdf
File Size: 322 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Karin
1/6/2012 06:54:06 am

Hi thanks for the great tutorial on making balloon balls this is the best I have seen. I would love to make some for my children although I am unable to open the balloon ball template as we don't have the software to support psd files is it possible to have it sent in a pdf format?

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Stuff by Steph
1/6/2012 09:03:24 am

Hi Karin! I have changed the template download to a pdf file. That's what I'd meant it to be in the first place- thanks for catching that!

-Steph

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Karin
1/7/2012 12:37:08 pm

Hey Steph it is still coming up as a psd file not a pdf file.

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Stuff by Steph
1/7/2012 12:46:25 pm

Karin, hmm... It says pdf on my side, maybe I just did something wrong. Anyway, I've put the pattern under the post. You should just be able to right click and "save as" to get the pdf.

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Karin
1/7/2012 03:03:51 pm

Yeah it worked, thank you so much for your quick replies. I'm off to make some balloon balls for the kiddies.

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6/1/2012 10:26:02 pm

Hi,

My printer is not cooperating. Can you put some measurements out (ie how wide should the end of each segment be, if the printer has printed it the right size)?

Thanks

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Stuff by Steph
6/2/2012 02:35:01 am

Hi Helen! The tabs at the end of the oval should be 2 inches wide, the oval at it's widest point 5 inches,14 inches tall (tab to tab), and the octagon 4 inches. If you need any more help, let me know!

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7/10/2012 03:11:01 am

I got what you intend, saved to favorites , quite decent internet internet site .

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mom33
7/20/2012 08:09:30 am

Not into sewing so purcahesd some form her at reasonable price www.facebook.com/pages/Simple-As-1-2-3/142159499232068

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7/25/2012 02:49:55 pm

Thanks for the best balloon ball... made it with the pattern however it is very very small... just read the measurements you gave to someone else and the pdf version is less than half that size... as I said very very small and fiddly. Oh well will be great for a baby :) Thanks again for sharing. Will be playing with your pattern to make it bigger :)

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8/6/2012 09:07:10 am

thank you for the information, your article is very good. I really enjoyed reading your article, thank you .....

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Barb M.
8/26/2012 10:23:11 am

Thanks for the great tutorial. Very easy to understand. I really appreciate you taking the time to make and share your method of making this cute ball..

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8/27/2012 10:59:40 am

I am having trouble sewing the octagon to the ends. No matter what I do it just won't come out all bunched up. Any advice??

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spacie
10/2/2012 10:47:19 am

We purchased some NZ handmade from Simple As 123 (www.facebook.com/SimpleAs123) through the Wellington Playcentre Assn Shop they do postal orders.

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Carol
2/11/2014 04:25:27 am

Unfortunately, the NZ balloon ball site is not working and I can't see how much one of their creations might be.

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11/11/2014 11:44:20 am

SPACE NZ now also do mail orders
or you can purchase from the creator, who is happy to do custom creations (recently purchased a turtle, kiwi, and ribbon tab)www.facebook.com/pages/Simple-As-1-2-3/142159499232068?ref=hl

spacie
11/12/2014 03:46:44 am

NZ$15 each

Emily
1/15/2013 10:59:21 am

Is it just me or did all but the intro of this tutorial disappear? I started making this a few days ago. I came back today to look at the instructions again and I can't find them. Please re-post the rest of the tutorial or tell me that I am blind and that the rest of it is linked up somewhere :-p Thanks for the tutorial!!

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Stephanie Greene
1/15/2013 07:26:33 pm

Emily- it may have disappeared. I am sorry! I was unable to renew my subscription with the website this year. However, if you email me at [email protected], I'll be happy to send you the PDF file of the tutorial.

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Tadpole
2/9/2013 12:11:07 pm

I got some basic ones to use with children in the ball, made by simple as 123. Then we also bought some turtles and frog ones from same supplier; these are a hit with the children.

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Kinderbeanie
3/9/2013 11:16:00 pm

Wow, Stephanie! I haven't looked at the pattern or anything, but I appreciate the fact that you spent all your time & effort so that we can learn from your goodwill and knowledge! Thank you for a fun and cool sewing/crafty project😊!

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Spacie
6/10/2013 05:59:18 pm

http://find4kids.co.nz/new-zealand/wellington/balloon-balls-more/

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Natalie
3/25/2014 10:20:22 pm

What a fantastic idea! My little one loves balloons too and it's the only 'ball' she is allowed to play with indoors as she can't really throw it hard and knock things over. Going to try this and see how she likes it. Thank you for sharing

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Tui
4/6/2016 02:43:27 pm

Thanks for the tutorial, it worked a treat! As I'm no good at button holes I did a flap instead by just turning back one edge of the octagon and seeing a seam, then doing the same with another octagon and then seeing them both on the bottom so you have an opening if that makes sense?

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