My youngest grandson has his heart set on a Stormtrooper or Darth Vader balloon hat or mask (I prefer no mask) for his birthday in a couple of weeks and, for the life of me, I can't figure out how to make one. Nor have I found a book, DVD, or instructions for such. Surely someone thought of this before, and there are some instructions somewhere.

Can anyone point me in the right direction?

*jeep! and God Bless!
--Grandpa Chet

Use black balloons for vader & white balloons for storm trooper. This hat sits on top of the head, but hangs down a bit to give the illusion of a mask

make a "B" then lay it on it's back. the arches will be the eyes

attach a balloon to the left side of the "back" of the "B", then do the following sequence: 3"bubble, 1"pinch, 1"pinch (arrange to be side by side), 3", 1" pich, 3" 1"pinch, 3" twist into the 2 side be side pinch twists, 3" bubble to the right side of the back of the "B". now you have the eyes and "grill"

attach another balloon the the left side of the "back" of the "B", then wrap around head and attach to the other side of the "B"

attach a balloon to where the two araches of the eyes meet, go up and over the head, attaching to where it meets the last balloon that went around the back

A bonus piece is to take another balloon and make 2 fold twists just big enough to fit into the "eyes"

finish off with a light saber or gun


wes holly

Thank you, Wes! I'm not the best at anything more complicated than a dog or the parrot on a swing, but I'll sure give it the ol' college try!!

*jeep!
--Grandpa Chet

I make a two balloon Vader mask.

260 black and a 160 black. Blow 260 all but an inch.

Measure head... take the stick sticking up and attach at the 12 o'clock and 3 o'clock position.

twist between the loop on the headband.

Blow a 160 all the way and stretch it and tie in a loop.

at the knot make a small loop. divide the loop into three pieces to make a triangle attach at the twist between the loop on the headband. This is your breather.

Loop the 160 to make eyes and attach to the bubbles on either side of the260 at the 12 & 3 position. (like my gator hat if you own BTTB #1)

this should leave a large loop hanging down.

From the headband 3" down bend the balloon at a right angle on each side. it will look like the ridge on the bottom of the helmet.


Here is a more elaborate than I described but you might get the idea:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=51......65477665

Mark, is this on one of your DVDs or books? (Please say yes!)

*jeep!
--Grandpa

Royal Sorrell's Balloongineering series has a great Vader mask. I make it often. I think hocus-pocus.com sells the DVDs.

Thank you, Jay!

*jeep!
--Grandpa

No.... Sorry!!

Thank you, Mark!

*jeep!
--Grandpa