Tissue Paper Pom Poms Tutorial

Today I’m sharing a really easy craft photo tutorial that is SO cute as a party decoration. I’m sure you’ve seen these before and maybe you’ve always wondered how to make them yourself. Well, now you can learn how to make DIY tissue paper pom poms! I’ve made these a couple times before, you may remember they hang above the crib in my son’s nursery.

Step 1. First, gather your supplies. I used a scissors, fishing line, a paper clip, and bought lots of tissue paper (8 pieces per pom minimum). The $0.99 tissue paper from Walmart comes in 6 pc packs and is the best for this job (it doesn’t tear super easy). I bought more expensive tissue paper from Crafts Direct and it was super thin and hard to work with.

Step 2. Lay 8-12 piece of tissue paper out flat (I prefer 10. It looks very full, yet it’s still possible to cut through the ends in step 5). The regular size tissue paper will give you a pom pom that’s about two feet wide. If you want smaller ones, just cut your tissue paper smaller. I wanted to make two little gold ones, so I sliced my tissue paper in half.

Step 3. Fold your paper starting on one of the short sides. You’ll want to alternate folds so it is like an accordion.

Step 4. Use a paper clip to secure the center. Most tutorials suggest using floral wire, but who has that laying around? If you want, you could also use wire twist ties. I’ve used all three of these supplies before and the results seem the same.

Step 5. Cut the ends of your accordion stack to round, pointed, or whatever you want.

I cut off a lot of my black one to make it smaller.

Step 6. Flip the stack on its side and pull the stack apart like a fan. String your fishing line (rope, ribbon, yarn, etc) to hang through the wire you used to secure the center.

Step 7. GENTLY pull the individual layers of tissue paper apart as far as they will go. If you bought thin tissue paper, you’re going to have to pull very slowly and gently so it doesn’t tear. If it does tear, just position other layers over that part. Do this until every layer is separated and the tissue paper forms a ball.

Here’s how my little gold, round edge one turned out.

Here’s how my little black, pointed edge turned out.

I made a lot of pom poms. The bigger ones are the size of poms if you make a normal tissue paper stack and don’t cut much off the ends when shaping them. They are big enough to make a statement! Varied sizes look great in groups of 3 or 5 and are the perfect idea for your next party! Each one takes 15-20 minutes to make.

I made these six for my friend Sara’s bachelorette party. The whole theme was black, gold, and hot pink. We hung these from the ceiling fan in the living room and they looked really great.

Have you ever made tissue paper pom poms before? What kind of party would you like to decorate with them for?

Thanks for reading! Next week you’ll see what DIY wedding gift I made for Sara, I’m pretty sure you’ll love it.