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I have recently started to perform the needle thru balloon trick at a failure rate of about 1 in 5. Obviously this is embarressing. Does anyone have any advice........ I am obviously inserting the needle correctly and use the cloth correctly but something is not right. HELP

What cloth? You need the wand container which has a lubricant in it so everytime the the needle is replaced in the wand it is lubricated. Can be purchased from Miles & Patti Sinclair (Magical Wonders, Herts.) Also spare balloons. Use a length of thickish, prefably red wool not a ribbon.
Hold the balloon against your body to start the insertion and thus it is held firmly to begin.
Allen Tipton.

In the instructions it states that you ccan use the lubricating holder or indeed a cloth with lubrication where you apply a thin film....is that not sufficient?

Stu. The needle wand keeps it PERMANENTLY lubricated and always protects the shrp point. It's worth the £10 it costs IF you're going to do the trick a lot. The red wool I use is smoother than a ribbon. The IMPORTANT thing it that FIRST penetration. Try holding it under your left arm then with the right grip the needle NEARLY THREE QUARTERS of the way along so you don't have a needle which wavers around. Once it's in you can lift the balloon up with the left hand, always watching the needle so it doesn't touch the sides then steady it against your body) with the left hand) as you slide the right hand along to a lower grip and continue the penetration.Once pulled thru you dangle it with left hand holding the needle. Pull gently, slowlythe needle free from the red wool (try carpet wool) Dangle the ballon holding the wool then stab it with the needle.
Is really CONFIDENCE you need. When I first did it around the late 1960's I used to sweat like anything and gave it up. Nerves cause the bursting. It's a lack of confidence. When I revived it in 2003 it went like a charm.
If you want several lengths of the red wool to see the size e mail me a postal address at allen@tipton27.wanadoo.co.uk
Good luck
Allen Tipton

The wand is better but it will make no difference to your problem, unless your not lubricating the needle properly. My guess is that your over inflating the balloon. Try not blowing it up as much and see how you go. Also if you alter your patter you can get away with it bursting by showing what happens without the magic.

Thanks very much guys, will go out and buy some more balloons........GRRRRRRRRRRR