puffy portal
the puffy portal
A light up inflatable sculpture made from a mosaic of patchworked fabric scraps.
Colour, Shape, Light, Fun!
The Puffy Portal is a playful exploration of colour and form, created from an intricate mosaic of upcycled fabric scraps. This towering, three-legged inflatable archway stands 3 meters tall and is brought to life by internal blower motors that fill it with air.
Custom-programmed LED lights, suspended inside, animate the structure with dynamic light patterns that glow and shift. The light is beautifully diffused through the patchwork exterior.
Inspiration Behind the Puffy Portal
Growing up with a mother who ran a quilting business from our home, I was always surrounded by patchwork and the endless possibilities of combining shapes and textures. That early exposure sparked my love for fabric and design, which continues to influence my work today.
The Puffy Portal is crafted from recycled materials (primarily old kite surfing kites and event banners), adding to the patchworked aesthetic of the piece. Each fabric diffuses light differently, creating an intricate stained glass effect. I highlighted the seams by using a flat-lock stitching technique, folding the fabric to one side and stitching it down. This technique gives the seams added thickness, making them appear darker and enhancing the overall fractal, stained-glass effect.
Details Behind the Design
Puffy was intentionally designed in a tripod form for stability. Each leg is internally weighted with sandbags, allowing the sculpture to remain grounded while maintaining its soft, buoyant presence.
The form was first modelled in 3D, then exported into flat sewing patterns that could be assembled into the final structure. The internal systems (blower motors, cabling, and LED strips) were carefully integrated and concealed within the sculpture to maintain a seamless aesthetic. All technical components are hidden allowing the piece to feel truly magical.
Baking a Big Thing
The entire sculpture was fabricated in-house at the MaddlesMade studio in East Vancouver.
Fabrication included:
CNC routing custom plywood base plates
Assembling, soldering, and routing internal wiring
A lot of patchwork
Sewing and constructing the inflatable form
Programming dynamic light sequences
Building a custom travel case for transport
At three metres tall, the piece quickly outgrew my 90-square-foot studio. While my industrial sewing machine handled the scale beautifully, manoeuvring the growing form required creativity (and occasional spatial gymnastics).
Engage, Explore, Embrace
The Puffy Portal stands as an interactive sculpture that invites people to engage with it in different ways. Some visitors are drawn to its inviting arch, weaving through its legs, while others admire the intricate patchwork up close or take in the light show from afar. And for those who can't resist, hugging its soft, cloud-like legs is always an option!
Big Impact, Easy Magic
The Puffy Portal is a playful, impactful and joyful vibe.
It packs down small, pops up big, and instantly transforms a space. At three metres tall, it works beautifully as an entry arch, glowing stage piece, photo backdrop, or playful focal point for festivals, brand events, and parties. Lightweight and inflatable, it delivers maximum colour and light without heavy infrastructure.
Puffy is available for hire, ready to bring bold, joyful energy to your next event.