Hot air balloon mobile: How to make a baby mobile – FREE pattern

check out this step by step tutorial and a free template to make a beautiful how air balloon mobile with 3 different designs of balloons. Today I want to share one of my favorite projects for the nursery we're putting together for baby Peanut =] A very colorful hot air balloon mobile made out of felt.

The pattern is very simple and the best part is that you can make it in any color you want and you can add all kinds of different designs to the basic pattern to make it that much special!

Ps. Remember to scroll all the way to the bottom to download the pattern =]

I wanted to make the balloons as real as possible and researched for ideas that were not so complicated to sew because some designs are gorgeous but at a small scale can be a nightmare.

Ken (my husband) used to work with a hot air balloon company during his college years, so he had a big share of “the real deal” with me.

In my case, I've always admired the colors and designs but I've never been lucky enough to get on one.

I was lucky to see my first balloon festival last year, and that's where I got the inspiration from =]

To me, hot air balloons are just gorgeous and a tad magical.

So hopefully baby Peanut will love them too, if not at least he/she will have a lot of time to stare at these guys:

And of course, I had to share a template and basic assembly directions so that everyone that loves hot air balloons can create their own designs =] So here the PDF file with the 3 different sizes I used to create mine and the instructions.

List of materials

THE PROCESS

The template is very easy since it only has 2 pieces per balloon, so if you want a very simple balloon, like the multicolor one I did with the white bounty flags, you just need to cut different colors, sew them together and place the bottom piece to finish up.

Since I made a few different designs to have a good variety, I'll also share how I made the ones that seem a little more complicated, I basically experimented with the cuts and colors until I was happy, but here is my process below:

FIRST STYLE OF BALLON

First I used applique pieces and here is how I made it:

Cut 8 balloon body pieces in the same color, after that I free-cut arrow shapes and triangles directly on felt, but if you don't feel comfortable draw your design on the template and then cut.

I played with the positioning until I was happy, then turn the pieces with the right side facing up and pin carefully.

I decided I wanted to make this balloon entirely by hand, so I started sewing each completed piece with a normal needle and treat in matching color.

I sewed everything on the wrong side so the sewing stitches will be hidden.

I left one of the sides half open so that turning inside out would be easier, then I finish sewing the side and stuff it with Polyester fiberfill.

After that, I carefully sewed the bottom piece, if it's too hard for you to keep it in place pin it first.

SECOND STYLE OF BALLON

The second way was cutting 4 pieces of each color (red and white in my case) I decided to make the biggest one like this because in my head it was going be easier to sew, and I was right =] so here it is:

First I decided how I wanted to cut my pieces and draw on the template to the cut it, marked all of my pieces, but right before cutting I decided to only do 2 cuts per piece and eliminate the last mark you see in the picture.

Once all my pieces were cut, I mixed and matches the colors, place a super small pieces of masking tape on the back so that they will stay together edge to edge and sew them with yellow floss.

(UPDATE: if you are wondering about stitches for your ballon, I recommend you to look at Sarah's hand embroidery tutorials, she has tons of different stitches)

After I had my 8 pieces put together I sewed them in the machine wrong side facing up, so that the stitches would be in the inside.

Again I left the last one-half open so that the turning inside out would be easier. Then I sewed it by hand and stuffed it.

Lastly, I sewed the bottom piece, and my hot air balloon was done!!

LAST DETAILS

After they are done, I cut pieces of corks, I just cut the average wine cork in 3 for all of the balloons, except the big one, for that one I used a champagne cork that I cut in half.

After that, I sanded the outside to erase the letters that most of them had. I used a normal treat and needle to attach the cork to the balloons in 3 different points.

I used the invisible thread to attach the top of the balloons to my painted embroidery hoop, I randomly positioned the balloons and to finish them up I added two clouds that I free-cut and sewed with a light blue floss.

So there you go! now you can create your own hot air balloon mobile too =]

More baby projects for you

• Baby hat with teddy bear ears
• DIY Shoes for baby – Tutorials
• Baby bedding tutorials
• Baby changing pad tutorial
• Free banner “Sleeping baby”
• DIY wall name sign

I hope you guys enjoy it and let me know if you make it, I'd love to see the designs you are going to come up with!
Have a lovely day!
XOXO

And, since we already shared the nursery we invite you to check all the project together here, or click the image below!

* This tutorial and pattern is provided for personal, non-commercial use only.
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