Lay the bottom part of the gore, fig. 142, flat upon the table, and the top part upon it, so as to leave 1⁄4 of an inch along the edge exposed, as shown by the shaded part. Paste this; and, without removing either piece, bend the pasted part of the lower half gore upon the top, and press it smooth down.
To Paste Two Gores Together.
Lay one gore with the point towards the left hand, and another upon it, a quarter of an inch back, as in fig. 143. Paste the shaded part of the lower gore, bend it over, and press as before. One of the gores, having been drawn in by pasting, is now narrower than the other. Finish the six pairs, and lay them by to dry.
To Paste the Pairs Together.
Lay one pair with the points towards the right hand, thus keeping the widest gore upwards; and another upon it, in the same manner, as fig. 144. Bend the top gore back upon itself, by folding it down the middle, as shown by the bottom shaded part, and lay a book or weight upon it, to keep it out of the way; paste, and double, as before; and so proceed, till the whole twelve are finished, and lying upon each other. Be careful to disturb none of the gores.
To Make the Last Joining.
Turn the points towards the left hand: lift up the top, and bend the ten inner gores back upon themselves: draw the top gore over, so as to make it lie upon the bottom. Paste as before. This is a somewhat troublesome operation, and it is advisable to have the assistance of a second person.
To Wire the Balloon.
Select a coil of iron wire, a little thicker than a pin; and remove the elasticity, as recommended with coloured gerbes. Before applying it to the balloon, practise the method of making a joining, as shown by fig. 145, simply bringing the ends together, crossing them about an inch from the extremity, and winding them tight round each other. Now lay the balloon, as in fig. 146, with a book, or a flat weight, upon it, to keep it down: curve the wire to the shape of the bottom of the balloon, and lay it about half an inch from the edge. Notch the paper, at the joinings of the gores; paste, and fold back. When perfectly dry, not before, turn the balloon over: cut the wire 2 inches longer than to meet; bend the ends together, and make the joining; paste, and bend over, the remaining half; and shape the wire to a circle. A star, of double-crown, may be pasted on the top, and a thread passed through it, to hold it by. To effect this, open the balloon, pass a book up it, spread the top flat on the book, and paste on it a star, or a circular piece of paper, the size of a penny. If a hole gets torn in it, it can be repaired in the same way.