Paper Pompoms

My Handmade Wedding

https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/paper-pompoms • Posted by Search Press

Here are the basic instructions for making a paper pompom. Once you’ve got the hang of this, you can adapt it to create all the variations you want

You will need

Coloured Tissue Paper : For a large pompom – eight sheets cut to 
 76 x 38cm (30 x 15in) For a medium pompom – six sheets cut to 
 51 x 25.5cm (20 x 10in) For a small pompom – four sheets cut to 
 25.5 x 11.5cm (10 x 4½in) Ruler Pencil Very sharp Scissors Floristry Wire (18 gauge) You will also need three circular objects that you 
 can draw around to create a rounded petal shape. 
 They need to be approximately 3.5cm (1¼in), 
 2cm (¾in) and 1cm (½in) in diameter. I used a 
 cylindrical Pencil Sharpener , a one-pence piece 
 and a pen lid

Project Budget

Time

Difficulty

Description

Here are the basic instructions for making a paper pompom. Once you’ve got the hang of this, you can adapt it to create all the variations you want

Instructions

1. 

   The method for making pompoms is the same no matter what size you are making; here I am making a large pompom, with eight sheets of paper. Layer your eight sheets of tissue paper directly on top of one another

2. 

   Make concertina folds into the shorter side at 3.5cm (1¼in) intervals. If you are making a medium-sized pompom make the folds 2cm (¾in) wide; for a small pompom make the folds 1cm (½in) wide.

3. 

   Use your ruler to flatten each fold as you go – this will make it less bulky when you come to cut the petals.

4. 

   Draw around your circular item at each end of your concertina to make a petal shape. Use sharp scissors to cut through all the layers of paper. Make sure you hold the layers tightly so they don’t slip; you may find it helps to lay something heavy on top of the paper to prevent the layers slipping.

5. 

   Fold your concertina in half to find the middle. Bend a length of floristry wire about one-third of the way down and manipulate it around the middle of the concertina, twisting it around itself to secure.

6. 

   Lay the paper on its side and fan out both ends. Bend the excess wire at 90 degrees. Separate the layers of tissue by gently teasing them with your fingers from the tip to as near to the centre fold as possible.

7. 

   Open all eight layers up towards you to create half-opened pompoms. Don’t panic if one or two of the tips tear as they aren’t likely to be noticed if you trim them off neatly.

8. 

   Once opened out, the tissue can be manipulated to make sure the folds are evenly spread out and the central wire is hidden. TIP: 
FILL OUT If you’re fully opening out the pompoms, use more sheets of tissue: use 10–12 sheets for large pompoms, 8–10 sheets for medium-sized pompoms and 6–8 sheets for small pompoms. TIP:
DRY OFF Make sure your hand are dry. TIP: 
SHARPEN UP You will need to use really strong scissors to be able to cut through all the layers of your pompom. I used sharpened dressmaker’s scissors, which shouldn’t normally be used with paper, but it was necessary to snip through the bulk.