https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/party-poms-for-only-pennies • Posted by Miss K.
By using napkins instead of tissue paper to make party poms, you have a much wider choice of colors, even deep tones, to match your party decor.
By using napkins instead of tissue paper to make party poms, you have a much wider choice of colors, even deep tones, to match your party decor.
Most party poms are made of tissue paper. To get a deep color or a color to match your party decor, you probably will have to buy the smaller more expensive packs of tissue paper unless you use this trick...use paper napkins in the color of your choice. There is a very good variety at Dollar Tree and even Hobby Lobby to get the look you want for less. For this project I am going to show you a pom made with cocktail (the smaller ones) and one made with luncheon napkins. Use only square napkins for this project.
For either size of napkin unfold each one completely. Make a stack of about 8 the unfolded napkins lining up the edges
Make a one inch fold starting at the top of the stack of napkins folding all the napkins in the stack together.
Then fold the napkin stack back on itself for another one inch fold accordion-style going back and forth with your folds. Fold down the length of the stack of napkins.
Your stack of folded of folded napkins will look something like this picture.
Pinch the middle of the folded napkin stack together and secure it with a pipe cleaner. If you can match the color of the pipe cleaner and the napkin, all the better.
Cut the ends of the folded stack into points or rounds.
Fan out the folds.
Beginning with the top napkins on the folded and secured stack, pull the top layer of napkins towards the center of the stack which is secured by the pipe cleaner. Pull the napkins as close to the secured middle of the napkin as possible. If you pull on the edge of the napkin, it is more likely to tear. The first few napkin layers need to come close to the center to give the pom fullness in the center.
On the bottom layers of the napkin stack, you don't have to pull the layers as far to the center. Adjust the layers to give equal fullness. This makes a good half-pom...rounded on one side, flat on the other. Since you only used 1/3 of the napkins in the package, a pom like this would only cost 33 pennies if you got the package of napkins from the Dollar Tree.
If you want a complete all around ball, join two of these party poms with the pipe cleaner on the pom together. Fluff them till they look like one ball. An entire pom ball (two poms made by the instructions) would only be 66 pennies.
Here is a party pom made using the same steps but the ends were cut with a half-round shape. These poms have a velvety rich look to them because the napkin paper is thicker than usual tissue paper. This pom is made from beverage-sized napkins.
A pom made with beverage napkins will be about 8" across (the one with rounded edges). A pom made with luncheon napkins will be about 11" across (the one with pointed edges). Making poms out of napkins you are already using at you party, makes it have a more coordinated look. Napkins that are the same on both sides (i.e. one side of the napkin is not white) work best for this project.