Whether you're throwing a party or just looking for a decoration for your home, making pompom flowers is a fun and affordable way to add a lively touch to almost anything.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Hanging pompoms
Step 1. Arrange the paper so that all corners are aligned
You will want to use between 8 and 13 sheets for each pompom, depending on the thickness of the paper. The thinner the paper, the more sheets you should use.
Step 2. Fan the paper
To do this, fold the side of the paper about 2cm. Then, turn the whole paper over and do the same thing on the other side. Repeat until you have a long strip of paper folded like an accordion.
Step 3. Cut the edges
Once the sheet is folded, tick off the edges. For fluffy and feminine pompoms, smooth the corners. For more dramatic pompoms, cut them in a pointed shape.
Don't worry if you don't cut them perfectly as you would like. While this paper edge work will definitely shape the pompoms, you won't be able to notice small details or imperfections once completed
Step 4. Cut 20-25cm of floral wire
Fold it in half.
Step 5. Slip the thread over the paper
It should be placed as close to the center of the paper as possible. Twist the ends of the wire together to hold it in place.
Don't worry about over-tightening the thread. In fact, keeping the yarn slightly loose will make it easier to complete the pompom
Step 6. Bend the wire to form a loop
Then, thread the line into the line and tie a knot. Make sure there is plenty of excess fishing line - you will use it to hang the pompom later.
Step 7. Expand the pompom
Slowly lift the top sheet until it stands upright. Repeat with the first 4 layers, then flip the pompom over and repeat. Continue until all the paper is softened.
Use slow, gentle movements at this stage, or you risk tearing the paper. To push each piece as high as possible, try to pass your thumbs and index fingers along the accordion folds from the outside to the center of the pompom
Step 8. Hang the pompom by attaching a thumbtack to the fishing line
Enjoy your new decoration!
Method 2 of 3: Honeycomb pompoms
Step 1. Cut out a circle out of cardboard
The size of the circle is at your discretion - small circles will produce small pompoms, and large ones will produce large pompoms.
Step 2. Cut the circle in half
You should have two identical semicircles.
Step 3. Prepare the honeycomb paper
Cut out the paper you will be using to be considerably smaller than your scrap sheet of paper. Then, place a sheet of paper on top of the recovery paper.
Step 4. Prepare the tracks for the glue
Keeping it flat on the recovery paper, divide the honeycomb paper equally into 4-8 parts (based on the size of your sheet). Instead of folding the paper into a honeycomb, draw lines on the recovery paper where each fold would go. Alternate the 2 colored markers.
- If you don't have any recovery paper, you can make these marks directly on the paper, using a pencil or thin pen.
- If you are using a 10x13cm piece of paper (half of an A4 sheet), consider leaving about 3-4cm between one line and the other.
Step 5. Choose one of the two colors
Keeping the honeycomb paper flat against the recovery paper, apply the glue stick vertically along the marks of that color on the honeycomb paper.
If you are using thin paper, such as a handkerchief or tissue paper, hold it firmly and wipe the glue gently from the center of the paper to the edges to prevent it from tearing
Step 6. Place another piece of paper on top of the one you just pasted
Rub it carefully to make sure it sets.
Step 7. Apply the glue
Paste along the lines of the opposite color like last time. Put another sheet of paper on top and rub to make sure the glue sticks.
Step 8. Repeat the previous step with approximately 30-40 sheets of paper
Be sure to alternate the glued lines between the various sheets to continue the honeycomb effect.
- For a colored pompom, vary the color of the paper in the middle of the gluing phase.
- For a ruled pattern, change the color of the paper roughly every 5 sheets.
Step 9. Cut the honeycomb paper
When you have finished gluing the sheets of paper, put one of the semicircles on top and trace the outline. Then, cut the paper away so that it is a little bit larger than the cardboard.
Step 10. Glue the cardboard semicircles on the honeycomb paper
Once the honeycomb paper is cut, glue a piece of cardboard on each side.
Step 11. Use needle and thread
To ensure a uniform effect, use the needle to pull the thread in the upper corner of your semicircle. Make a rough knot, cut the thread and repeat on the lower corner.
- Make sure you have left some space in the knots, or the pompom will not open.
- Leave the long thread at one end - you can use it to hang the pompom.
Step 12. Hold the cardboard on both ends
Pull outwards slowly and give it a spherical shape The honeycomb pattern should become more evident as you open the pompom.
Step 13. Glue the cardboard pieces to each other
This will keep the spherical shape of the pompom.
Step 14. Hang it up
Enjoy your new decorations!
Method 3 of 3: Paper pompom tips
Step 1. Cut the paper into squares
This way you will avoid asymmetrical flowers.
The size of the squares depends solely on the size of your gift. If it's small, you need to cut smaller squares. However, if the gift is large you may prefer squares as large as possible
Step 2. Group your squares
You should have 4 squares per flower. You should have 4 squares per flower.
Step 3. Fold the pile in half twice
You should now have 16 layers.
Step 4. Fold the pile diagonally to form a triangle
Then, repeat so that you get an even smaller triangle.
Step 5. Fold the sides of the triangle upwards
The result should be an even smaller triangle.
Step 6. Using the folded edge as the center point, draw a semi-oval over the widest part of the triangle
It should extend from edge to edge.
Step 7. Cut along the line
Discard the top of the triangle.
Step 8. Open the card
Stack 8 layers so that the petals are slightly deviated to form a flower. For a completely circular pompom, use all 16 layers.
Step 9. Fold the pile in half
Make a hole in the center. Then, thread some ribbon or string through the hole.
Step 10. Open the flower and flatten the petals
Then, slowly open the petals to create a floral effect. For a flower, leave the last piece flat. For a pompom, open 8 layers down and the other 8 down.
Step 11. Tie it on top of a gift
Use twine or ribbon to attach it to your gift.
