Make Sky Lanterns

Floating sky lanterns are a common sight in many Asian countries. Though their design may seem complex, you can easily learn how to make sky lanterns on your own. Make a wish, light the sky lantern and let it float up to the heavens.

Steps

Creating the candle

  1. Tie the fabric into a tight knot. Trim the end pieces so they are approximately 1" (2.5cm) on each side. The end pieces will become the wicks of the candle that will propel your sky lantern much as a flame propels a hot air balloon.
  2. Center the two 24" (60cm) pieces of florist's wire over the knot. The two pieces should be perpendicular to each other with their midpoints overlapping on top of the knot.
  3. Wrap the wires around the knot, and twist them tightly to make them secure. The four wire ends should be approximately 9" to 10" (23 to 25cm) long on each side so that they are long enough to reach the lantern's bamboo frame. Set the wire-wrapped knot aside.
  4. Place the candle over a lighter or other open flame until the wax melts down into a liquid state. You should also place a plate or a tray beneath the candle to catch the wax as it melts.
  5. Place the knot into the hot, melted wax and let it soak for three to five minutes.
  6. Remove the newly created wick from the wax. As it cools, the wax will harden.
  7. Wrap the aluminum-foil strip around the knot in the center of the wick. Twist the ends of the foil strip around the metal wire so that they cover the wire completely.

Constructing the bamboo frame and adding the candle

  1. Cut three bamboo skewers in half lengthwise using either a razor blade or a utility knife. Run the split bamboo through the flame of a candle while subtly bending it; this will make the bending job easier and you should be able to form a a full circle in less than five minutes.
  2. Line the split bamboo up end to end on a table to make a single long strip. The bottom end of one skewer should overlap with the top end of another skewer to create a 1" (2.5cm) overlapping connection point.
  3. Secure the overlapping connection points together with non-flammable tape.
    • Bring the right and left tips of the long strip together. Again, create a 1" (2.5cm) overlap with the tips.
    • Secure the tips together with tape to make a circle.
  4. Tape the ends of the foil-wrapped wires that protrude from the wick to opposite sides of the bamboo frame.
    • The wires should cross the exact center of the circle so that the circle is divided into four equal quarters. The candle should be centered in the middle of the circle and supported by the wires that are attached to the bamboo frame.
    • Twist the wires around the frame. Wrap the wire connections with tape to make them more secure.

Fireproofing the paper

  1. Hang 16-20 pieces of kitchen paper towel (or about half that of tissue paper) on a clothesline using clothespins (pegs).
  2. Place a plastic or canvas drop cloth under the paper to catch any drippings.
  3. Spray both sides of each piece of paper thoroughly with the fireproofing spray.
    • Avoid spraying the points where the clothespins are holding the paper. Otherwise, the paper will tear.
    • Allow the pieces to dry before you continue working with them.

Creating a pattern for the balloon

  1. Draw a vertical line 40" (about 1 meter) long down the center of the brown craft paper. Use a tape measure or a ruler to measure your line precisely.
  2. Draw a horizontal line 12" (30cm) long at the base of the vertical line. The line should be perpendicular to the vertical line, and the base of the vertical line should touch the midpoint of the horizontal line so that you have 6" (15cm) on either side of the vertical line.
  3. Draw a second horizontal line that is 22" (1/2 meter) long approximately two thirds of the way up the vertical line. The second horizontal line should be parallel to the first, and the vertical line should also cross through the midpoint of the horizontal line so that you have 11" (28cm) on either side of the vertical line.
  4. Connect the two horizontal lines by sketching a line that curves gently inward before meeting the vertical line. The line should extend from the right end of the bottom horizontal line, curve inward and then stretch out to meet the right end of the second horizontal line.
  5. Draw a second line mirroring the line that you just drew to connect the left tips of the two horizontal lines.
  6. Sketch mirroring lines that connect each end of the upper horizontal line to the top of the vertical line. This will finish the shape of your pattern, which should look like the pointed blade of a tropical ceiling fan.
  7. Cut the shape that you've drawn out of the brown craft paper using scissors. This shape will serve as the pattern for creating your balloon.

Finishing the balloon

  1. Lay the 16-20 fireproofed paper pieces on a flat surface.
    • Set out two rows consisting of 16-20 pieces of kitchen paper towel (or 8-10 pieces of tissue paper).
    • The top, shorter width of one row of papers should touch the bottom, shorter width of the other piece of row papers.
    • Overlap the connected ends of the papers by about 1" (2.5cm) so that you can glue them together.
  2. Use a non-flammable glue to seal the overlapped ends of the papers together. Allow the overlapped seams to dry while they lay on the flat surface. When gluing the paper, gently spread it out––do not blot––this way, you can avoid glue marks in the paper (and blotting can cause weakening in the balloon body's adhesion).
  3. Lay one 2-piece panel of paper towel/tissue paper over the brown craft paper pattern. Center the pattern piece beneath the paper towel/tissue paper and cut the paper towel/tissue paper with scissors so that it matches the exact size and shape of the pattern that you've placed beneath it.
  4. Repeat this step with the remaining 2-piece paper panels.
  5. Connect the pointed tips of the paper towel/tissue paper panels together. Glue the tips together so that they are secure, leaving the base open to create a large bag.

Completing the sky lantern

  1. Attach the opening of the paper bag to the bamboo frame. Tuck the frame about 1" (2.5cm) inside the opening of the bag.
  2. Fold the end of the paper bag upward to cover the frame.
    • Glue the folded end to the inside of the balloon to secure the frame to the balloon.
    • Allow the glue to dry completely before attempting to launch the lantern.
  3. Take your lantern outside at night or at dusk. Light the wicks, which are the ends that protrude from the wax-dipped knot, and hold the lantern for a few seconds until the wicks catch fire completely.
    • Make your wish. Then, let go of the lantern.

Tips

  • You can replace the candle with a large cotton ball that has been soaked in alcohol. Wrap the cotton ball with additional florist's wire to hold it against the criss-crossing supporting wires. Then, light the cotton ball to propel the balloon.
  • While you can make your lantern frame with drinking straws instead of bamboo skewers, the drinking straws may not be strong enough to support the weight of your candle.
  • Once you have mastered the basic circular design for your sky lantern, you can begin to experiment with different, more complex shapes. Perform research both online and at your local library for ideas.

Warnings

  • When using the fireproofing spray, be sure wear protective clothing such as gloves, long sleeves and pants since the spray may burn your skin.
  • Only launch your lantern in an open field or other wide-open space, away from trees and other combustibles. Also, take care to limit launches to times when the ground is well-saturated by a recent rain or snow. Under such conditions, the ground beneath the lantern will be wet and less likely to burn. Do not release lanterns over areas of dry vegetation.
  • Sky lanterns can be dangerous since they involve paper and flame. Be sure exercise caution when lighting the lantern.
  • For much of the year releasing lanterns such as this would be an arrestable offence in Australia. Please take the time to think about all the places your lantern might land, and what would happen if one caused a fire. Heavily consider tethering your lantern with a light thread.

Things You'll Need

  • Fabric from an unused rag or towel
  • Household candle
  • Plate or tray
  • Aluminum foil
  • 24" (60 cm) piece of florist's wire
  • Bamboo skewers
  • Razor blade or utility knife
  • Non-flammable tape
  • 16-20 sheets of kitchen paper towel or 8-10 sheets tissue paper
  • Plastic or canvas drop cloth
  • Protective clothing
  • Fireproofing spray (paper fireproofing spray can be purchased at a local hardware supplier or online)
  • 1 large piece of brown Kraft paper
  • Pencil
  • Ruler or tape measure
  • White school glue
  • Lighter or match

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Sources and Citations

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