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Here is the last basic technique a beginner should master in the course of this primer series on balloon twisting: the tulip twist.

We will use this technique soon in our next tutorial: How to make a balloon flower.

This tutorial is in two parts, the first one is a detailed video which is followed by a step by step photo guide. Last but not least, a comment section is now available if you need support.

 

Video Tutorial

Video in French, with English subtitles (if captions do not automatically display in your favorite language, you simply need to modify YouTube parameters at the bottom right of the video screen).

Hello !

I would now like for us to work on a technique called: "tulip twist".

We must insert an index into the balloon this way, so that we push the balloon knot inside the ballon.

Then, the idea, with the other hand is to catch the knot through the balloon skin, and hold it firmly!

Once the knot is held securely with the other hand, we must very carefully extirpate the index from the balloon, with the help of the thumb and the major if necessary, by a few successive light tractions.

Be very careful not to do this too bruskly, otherwise the balloon could burst!

And finally, just twist the balloon, just like you would while making a classic bubble! The knot is now stuck on the other side of the tulip-twist.

Now, if we want to use the tulip-twist for a flower, all we would do is insert the petals directly in this fold.

On the other hand, if we wanted to leave use the tulip-twist on its own, we would have to push back the balloon a little bit inside the tulip-twist, to lock the knot a bit more securely.

You will see, tulip-twists are used, for example to make flowers, where they go in between petals, we will soon see that in another lesson.

Also, to make car wheels, etc, etc, it's a very important technique which you must learn to master!

That's it for today. See you very soon, for another lesson... with Môssieur Ballon!

 

Step-By-Step Photo Guide

 

making balloon tulip-twists, step 1
1- To practice, inflate a balloon to any length.
making balloon tulip-twists, step 2
2- Place the forefinger of your twisting hand on the balloon knot.
making balloon tulip-twists, step 3
3- Press on the knot to push it inside the balloon.
making balloon tulip-twists, step 4
4- Push your finger inside fairly deeply so that the knot (inside the balloon) ends up in reach of the thumb and forefinger of your support hand (outside the balloon).
making balloon tulip-twists, step 5
5- Catch the knot through the balloon with the thumb and forefinger of your support hand, and hold it firmly in place.
making balloon tulip-twists, step 6
6- While firmly keeping the knot inside the balloon, slowly pull out the forefinger of your twisting hand from the balloon, if necessary by using the thumb and middle finger of the same hand (or any other available finger) in order to ease the pressure of the air surrounding your forefinger, caught inside the balloon.
making balloon tulip-twists, step 7
7- This movement must be carried out very gently, so that you can pull your finger out of the balloon without making it burst (the balloon, that is).
making balloon tulip-twists, step 8
8- Using your twisting hand, press the balloon near the knot, still held in place through the sides of the balloon by your support hand.
making balloon tulip-twists, step 9
9- Press... and twist, to make a bubble which will trap the knot inside the remaining segment of balloon.
making balloon tulip-twists, step 10
10- Through the balloon, you can make out the knot trapped outside the tulip-twist. If you wedge another balloon part (flower petals for instance) into the fold between the tulip-twist and the remaining segment of balloon, the tulip-twist will be secure and will not be at risk of getting undone.
making balloon tulip-twists, step 11
11- If there's no intention of using another balloon part to secure the fold, you will then have to gently push the knot back inside the tulip-twist while twisting it around its axis.
making balloon tulip-twists, step 12
12- Through the balloon, you can clearly make out the knot, caught and secure in the middle of the tulip-twist.
making balloon tulip-twists, last step
13- And here is our finished tulip-twist!

 

 

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