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Two Twenty One

How to Make Tissue Paper Pom Poms

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Step-by-step tutorial showing you how to make tissue paper pom poms! Tissue paper pom poms are the perfect, inexpensive party decoration.

After I posted our gender reveal party, many of you wanted a tutorial on how I made the tissue paper pom poms. Well, today’s your lucky day– it’s tissue paper pom pom making time, people.

Not only will I show you how to make tissue paper pom poms, I’m going to show you how to get 5 easy to make tissue paper pom-poms (1 large, 2 medium, 2 small) out of one $.99 package of tissue paper.

These are really easy to make once you get the hang of it. It’s also a good mindless TV watching crafting activity. But you have to “watch” something you don’t really have to pay attention to since you’ll need to watch what you’re doing with making the poms. I “watched” old Grey’s Anatomy episodes on Lifetime while I made the majority of mine for the gender reveal party.

How to make tissue paper pom poms!

Supplies for Making Tissue Paper Pom Poms

tissue paper (I use 10 sheet, 20 inch by 20 inch)… Hobby Lobby
NOTE: Since publishing this tutorial, Hobby Lobby has changed the tissue paper to 8 sheets and $1.29 per package. Not cool, in my opinion.
floral wire
scissors
ruler

supplies needed for tissue paper poms

If you can’t find 20″ x 20″ tissue paper that’s fine. The standard size seems to be 15″ x 20″. You can still make tissue paper pom poms from that size, you just won’t end up with the exact 5 pom poms that I was able to make.

How to Cut and Fold

Flatten out the tissue paper. Divide the 10 tissue papers into half– so 5 and 5 in each stack. Set one stack to the side.

pom pom tutorial

Fold the tissue accordion style.

tissue paper pom tutorial

Once folded, cut the strip into two pieces. One should be 6 inches.

tissue pom tutorial

And the other should be 14 inches.

how to make poms

Take the 6 inch piece. Fold it in half hamburger style (if you don’t know what I mean, Google “fold paper hamburger style”).

tissue paper poms-poms

Cut it along the fold, so you will have two sections with 5 sheets of paper in each section. Since these will be the smallest pom-poms, I refold them, accordion folds style, only smaller than the original fold (see photo after the photo below).

making pom poms

Grab the other remaining section that you put to the side in the beginning. Fold it accordion style. Cut it in half so you have two 10 inch pieces.

In the end, you should have the following from one package of 20 inch by 20 inch, 10 sheet tissue paper.

1- 14 inch
2- 10 inch
2- 6 inch

tutorial on how to make tissue paper poms

How to Secure and Fluff

The next steps are to be repeated for each section of tissue paper.

Grab your floral wire, center it in the middle of the tissue paper (use the ruler if you aren’t good at eye balling– no shame).

FYI, you don’t have to use floral wire. I actually used 22 gauge jewelry wire for the pom-poms I made for our gender reveal party because I was out of floral wire and didn’t feel like running to the craft store for more. Just make sure your wire isn’t too flimsy.

making tissue paper pom-poms

Twist the wire tight.

tissue paper pom-poms how to

Then, grab your scissors and round out the corners of the tissue paper.

how to make a tissue paper pom pom

The end result should look like this when fanned out.

tissue paper pom-pom directions

Start GENTLY, I repeat, gently pulling the top layer of tissue paper up and toward the center. Remember, this is thin tissue paper, not metal. It will rip if you’re too forceful with it. It helps to start pulling at the bottom of the tissue paper layer, not the tip.

pom-pom instructions

Next, bring the top layer of the other side up and to the middle.

tissue paper pom pom instructions

Now, repeat until all 5 layers are fluffed. Bend the wire so the tissue paper pom-pom lays flat. Cut if necessary. Or if you plan to attach the poms to something, leave the wire the way it is. You can just wrap the wire around whatever you’re attaching the pom to.

tissue pom pom instructions

Note:  If you happen to tear a piece of your pom-pom while making it, don’t freak out. It’s not the end of the world. A lot of the time it will just blend in. I usually grab my scissors and cut it a little so it doesn’t look so jagged.

tissue paper pom pom how to

If you don’t care about having varying sizes of poms, just make 4 medium sized poms. If you want fuller poms, use more than 5 layers of tissue paper.

Remember, practice makes perfect so don’t get discouraged if your first couple pom-poms don’t turn out correctly.

You can use the tissue paper pom-poms to decorate for a bridal shower, baby shower, wedding, birthday, or for any party decoration! The possibilities are endless. I used them on our dessert buffet and as a centerpiece for our dining room table. You can check out more photos of our gender reveal party here.

gender reveal party

Find out how to make a tissue paper pom-pom and fan backdrop here!

Gingerbread first birthday party! Perfect for a December birthday!

4.13 from 8 votes
Print
How to make Tissue Paper Pom Poms
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
35 mins
 

Step-by-step tutorial on how to make tissue paper pom poms. Lovely and inexpensive party decorations!

Servings: 5 tissue paper pom poms
Ingredients
  • 1 10 sheet package 20-inch by 20-inch tissue paper
  • 1 package white floral wire
Instructions
  1. Flatten out the tissue paper. Divide the 10 tissue papers into half-- so 5 and 5 in each stack. Set one stack to the side.

  2. Fold the tissue accordion style.

  3. Once folded, cut the strip into two pieces. One should be 6 inches. And the other should be 14 inches.

  4. Take the 6 inch piece. Fold it in half hamburger style (if you don't know what I mean, Google "fold paper hamburger style").

  5. Cut it along the fold, so you will have two sections with 5 sheets of paper in each section. Since these will be the smallest pom-poms, I refold them, accordion folds style, only smaller than the original fold (see photo after the photo below).

  6. Grab the other remaining section that you put to the side in the beginning. Fold it accordion style. Cut it in half so you have two 10 inch pieces.

  7. In the end, you should have the following from one package of 20 inch by 20 inch, 10 sheet tissue paper.

    1- 14 inch
    2- 10 inch
    2- 6 inch

  8. The next steps are to be repeated for each section of tissue paper.

    Grab your floral wire, center it in the middle of the tissue paper (use the ruler if you aren't good at eye balling-- no shame).

  9. Twist the wire tight.

  10. Then, grab your scissors and round out the corners of the tissue paper.

  11. Fan out the tissue paper on each side. Start GENTLY, I repeat, gently pulling the top layer of tissue paper up and toward the center. Remember, this is thin tissue paper, not metal. It will rip if you’re too forceful with it. It helps to start pulling at the bottom of the tissue paper layer, not the tip.

  12. Next, bring the top layer of the other side up and to the middle.

  13. Now, repeat until all 5 layers are fluffed. Bend the wire so the tissue paper pom-pom lays flat. Cut if necessary. Or if you plan to attach the poms to something, leave the wire the way it is. You can just wrap the wire around whatever you’re attaching the pom to.

Recipe Notes

If you happen to tear a piece of your pom-pom while making it, don’t freak out. It’s not the end of the world. A lot of the time it will just blend in. I usually grab my scissors and cut it a little so it doesn’t look so jagged.

If you don’t care about having varying sizes of poms, just make 4 medium sized poms. If you want fuller poms, use more than 5 layers of tissue paper.

Remember, practice makes perfect so don’t get discouraged if your first couple pom-poms don’t turn out correctly.

Want to save this post for later? Pin it here:

How to make tissue paper pom poms!

 

Filed Under: baby & kid parties, DIY, party, popular posts, popular projects, pregnancy, tutorial

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Comments

  1. [email protected] says

    April 23, 2014 at 10:51 AM

    Love tissue paper pom poms! They are such a cheap, easy and good looking party decoration!

    Reply
  2. Rachel says

    April 23, 2014 at 1:52 PM

    They look so cute! I’m definitely going to make some for my sister’s bridal shower in a few weeks!

    Reply
  3. Teri @ The Freshman Cook says

    April 24, 2014 at 12:06 AM

    These look so cute, and what a great tutorial! Thanks so much!!

    Reply
  4. maria medeiros says

    May 3, 2014 at 9:26 PM

    Truly lovely!

    Reply
  5. Ashley says

    June 8, 2014 at 10:34 AM

    Hey! Love these and currently making them. But what is hamburger style? I’m stuck there . My husband says he thinks you refold the 6″ piece then cut it. I took from the directions that you fold it in half like a taco , cut , then refold. If you fold the 6″piece in half then cut you have 2 3″ pieces. Please help! Thanks so much .

    Reply
  6. Ashley says

    June 8, 2014 at 11:18 AM

    Never mind ! I did it! They are awesome

    Reply
    • Chelsea @ two twenty one says

      June 9, 2014 at 11:10 AM

      Yay! Glad you figured it out!

      Reply
      • Mamacoffen says

        August 1, 2018 at 5:28 PM

        You should be specific and edit it to say, unfold the paper you accordian folded, and THEN fold it hamburger style.

        Reply
        • Aleta says

          July 5, 2019 at 2:43 AM

          Thank you for this! I was stuck and your comment made it clearer

          Reply
    • Ashley says

      March 18, 2016 at 2:54 PM

      So what does it mean?

      Reply
  7. Jackie says

    June 12, 2014 at 11:09 AM

    Will they be flat on one side or fluffy on both? I’m hanging mine from the ceiling and stuff and want an all around fluff!! HELP

    Reply
    • Chelsea @ two twenty one says

      June 12, 2014 at 12:19 PM

      These are made to be flat on one side. There’s full all around tutorials out there though. Best of luck!

      Reply
  8. Dana says

    July 15, 2014 at 9:37 PM

    Love these! So easy but so effective…great color choices!

    Reply
  9. renitha says

    July 18, 2014 at 10:04 AM

    I am making pom poms for a baby shower. my small and medium pom poms are coming out perfect, but when I try to make a large one it does not come out right. There is a gap on the sides and it looks like layers instead of being fluffy like I see yours and many others I have seen on tutorials. I am using 20×20 sheets. Please I need help. I don’t know what I am doing wrong when I try to make larger pom poms.

    Reply
    • Chelsea @ two twenty one says

      July 20, 2014 at 10:52 PM

      Hmmm, maybe use more than 5 sheets since you’re using larger tissue paper. The more stacked sheets you use, the fuller the pom poms will turn out. Try 8-10 sheets of tissue paper for the larger pom poms. Hope this helps!

      Reply
  10. kathy carwell says

    July 26, 2014 at 9:10 AM

    Seems to be a silly question…but since these are rectangular sheets of tissue paper and not square, what size tissue paper do I use for 14″ pom poms?
    Thanks

    Reply
    • Chelsea @ two twenty one says

      July 26, 2014 at 9:56 AM

      Oops, make that 16in x 10in.

      Reply
  11. Chelsea @ two twenty one says

    July 26, 2014 at 9:54 AM

    The tissue paper I used are square– 20in x 20in. The large size pom-poms are about 12in in diameter so instead of 14in x 10in you’d probably want to do 16in x 10in for a 14in in diameter pom-pom.

    Reply
  12. Alexa says

    October 7, 2014 at 10:02 PM

    I love the colors you used, but I can’t find them 🙁 which store should I go? I;m specially looking for the mimosa yellow. Thanks for your help.

    Reply
    • Chelsea @ two twenty one says

      October 7, 2014 at 10:25 PM

      Hobby Lobby

      Reply
  13. Stephanie says

    January 23, 2015 at 7:26 AM

    i was wondering how you mounted these to the wall?

    Reply
    • Monica says

      February 24, 2015 at 1:38 AM

      I am wondering the same thing!

      Reply
    • Chelsea @ two twenty one says

      February 24, 2015 at 8:14 AM

      I didn’t mount them to a wall. They’re laid on wood surfaces in the photos.

      Reply
  14. osnat says

    February 9, 2015 at 10:57 AM

    Help please,
    I just love them but having trouble to bring them to a ball . The ends are not getting together and there’s a gap like it want close and come to a ball shape. I’m using 20x20or20x26 paper, what I’m doing wrong?
    Thanks

    Reply
    • Chelsea @ two twenty one says

      February 9, 2015 at 11:50 AM

      These are designed to be balls. They’re designed to be flat on the bottom so they can lay flat. Here’s a tutorial on how to make them into balls: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2uVnIcAMm8

      Hope that helps!

      Reply
  15. Ashley says

    March 11, 2015 at 9:06 PM

    Did you get the mint green tissue paper at Hobby Lobby? I can’t find it anywhere =(

    Reply
    • Chelsea @ two twenty one says

      March 11, 2015 at 9:31 PM

      Yeah, I got it at Hobby Lobby. They may have discontinued that color, seeing as they changed the price of the tissue paper and quantity in the packages as well.

      Reply
  16. sally peaty says

    March 21, 2015 at 4:55 PM

    Really lovely,going to make some for my nieces wedding

    Reply
  17. Aneesa says

    March 22, 2015 at 3:35 PM

    I don’t understand the part where you fold the 6″ hamburger still?

    Reply
    • Chelsea @ two twenty one says

      March 22, 2015 at 4:48 PM

      This should help: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLitdH0U_qM

      Reply
      • Aneesa says

        March 23, 2015 at 2:01 PM

        Oh ok thanks…hopefully I do it correctly lol

        Reply
        • Aneesa says

          March 23, 2015 at 2:39 PM

          Figured it out thanks. So for anyone who wasn’t to sure like me you need to reopen it the. Fold it in half then cut it to you end up with 2 pieces that measure 6″ x 10″. Just finished a few small ones and their so small and cute can’t wait to decorate for our baby girls 1st birthday this weekend.

          Reply
  18. Www.poikamiesradio.com says

    October 11, 2015 at 8:36 PM

    I’ll follow discussing the kinds of passive revenue streams
    that I am taoen with growing.

    Reply
  19. Marsha says

    December 16, 2015 at 8:08 PM

    I was surprised to see these are still being made. I was 15 yrs old when I stood in my cousins wedding and we made them for decorations for her Bridal Shower. I am now 71 yrs old so you know they have been around for many years. They made a gorgeous pom poms,.

    Reply
  20. Angie says

    December 28, 2015 at 5:43 PM

    Not only did the tissue paper go up to $1.29 there are only 8 sheets in a pack now!!

    Reply
    • Chelsea @ two twenty one says

      December 28, 2015 at 6:21 PM

      Yep, I mentioned that in the post. Not cool.

      Reply
  21. Erin @ Stay At Home Yogi says

    January 25, 2016 at 8:02 AM

    Party City has tons of color options for people looking for something specific, and Dollar Store probably has the cheapest tissue paper! Love these pom poms! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  22. Sandra says

    January 25, 2016 at 5:58 PM

    These are so pretty and remind me of spring. Thank you for the tutorial!

    Reply
  23. Nancy Straughan says

    January 27, 2016 at 5:58 AM

    So cute! I actually make things like this a lot as I run Hen / Bachelorette parties 🙂 Love the colours you chose. I just discovered your blog via the Home Work link up!
    http://www.hellonancy.co.uk

    Reply
  24. Mess and Merlot says

    January 27, 2016 at 7:16 AM

    So cute! Will be making these for my Daughter’s upcoming rainbow themed party x

    Reply
  25. DazzleWhileFrazzled says

    January 28, 2016 at 7:32 AM

    Looks super festive! Great little girl party idea. Glad I have a huge collection of tissue paper!

    Reply
  26. May says

    January 28, 2016 at 7:38 PM

    They’re so pretty, I have to DIY these for my next event!

    Reply
  27. Jen Goode says

    January 30, 2016 at 2:56 AM

    I’ve always wanted to try to make paper pom poms, these are beautiful! Thank you so much for submitting your project to this week’s Monday Funday Party. We’re featuring your project this Sunday!

    Reply
  28. Lauren @ Mom Home Guide says

    January 31, 2016 at 11:39 PM

    I love this tutorial! I like how the pom poms look as wall decoration and as a centerpiece! Thanks for sharing this tutorial at Motivation Monday on Mom Home Guide! Your project was picked as a feature this week!

    Reply
  29. Ashley ~ 3 Little Greenwoods says

    February 3, 2016 at 7:51 AM

    Oh these colorful pom poms totally make me happy! I love their colors and their fluffiness. Thanks so much for sharing your creativity at the The DIY Collective this week! Please come back next week to show off your latest project!

    Have an awesome week!
    ~ Ashley

    Reply
  30. Jamie says

    February 20, 2016 at 3:45 PM

    Would this still work with paper that’s 16.5 X 24?

    Reply
  31. mysweetiepiepie says

    February 22, 2016 at 12:06 AM

    These are so, so pretty – will definitely be doing this for my next party.

    Pinned here for future reference:

    https://www.pinterest.com/pin/191332684147941971/

    Cheers!

    Reply
  32. sandi says

    April 7, 2016 at 8:42 AM

    How do you make the ones to hang on string from ceiling that is a flower on both sides , not flat on one side?

    Reply
  33. Theresa says

    January 21, 2017 at 7:51 PM

    Gonna give these a shot!!!Fingers crossed…

    Reply
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    December 22, 2017 at 11:38 AM

    That is a really good tip especially to those fresh to the blogosphere.
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  41. Anna says

    December 29, 2017 at 7:29 AM

    Ooo! I am throwing a baby shower in a few weeks and I have been wanting to make these but did not know how. Your directions are so clear and the pictures are great – I am sure I can figure it out now!! Thanks!

    Reply
  42. Christa alex says

    February 21, 2018 at 11:44 PM

    Love this!!! I thinking about my daughter’s college dorm room.

    Reply
  43. handwork says

    October 11, 2018 at 3:38 AM

    Beautiful ! I’ll make one to wear following your diy tutorial.

    Reply
  44. Lori says

    October 29, 2018 at 6:28 AM

    I just made a beautiful fluffy two-sided (round ball shaped) one out of a single pack of the Hobby Lobby paper that’s 8 sheets of 20 x 20 inch paper–cut the opened stack of 8 sheets in half, so you have two stacks of 8 sheets that are 10 x 20 inches. Then cut 5 inches off of both stacks and put one on top of the other (you can use this to make two little ones), so that you have a single stack of 16 sheets that are 10 by 15 inches. Accordion fold, fasten in the middle with wire, and unfold just like the half-ball shapes, doing one side then the other. Makes a very nice, good sized fluffy one.

    Reply
  45. Alex Robert says

    January 15, 2019 at 4:18 AM

    No one can identify that it’s made from a piece of tissue paper. So clean and beautiful, thanks for the cutest DIY tip 🙂

    Reply
  46. Sarah says

    February 22, 2019 at 12:38 AM

    WOW, these are amazing and so cheap to make! I bought these and was so confused how to make them for my daughters birthday. I wish I had seen this sooner but I will be trying this next time!

    Reply
  47. Mel Y says

    October 21, 2019 at 2:11 PM

    Stumbled upon this blog post and I’m sooo glad I did. Thank you so much for sharing this easy DIY!

    Reply

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17155 shares