krmujn

I made dozens of these things about 30 years ago and now I can't remember how I starched them. I probably used argo but can't find that anywhere today, even online.

I tried cornstarch; what a mess! And it made the balloons inside all slippery so it was hard to knot. Does anyone remember making these & recall how you stiffened them? I'm going to try sugar next.

My sister has a Christmas tree farm upstate so they open a little shop with Christmas orniments in it while selling trees.
Thanks in advance.

gremlin

We always mixed white glue and water - equal parts of each. Soak the item in it, then squeeze it out and shape it.

We would do thread "eggs" - wrap crochet thread around balloons. Dip the whole thing in the bucket of glue/water, and let it hang outside to dry. Once it was thoroughly dry, we would pop the balloon and carefully work it out of the thread.

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krmujn

Thank you, Gremlin. Glue was on my list. I think I'll try that next.