Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Cascading Garden Pom Poms! Great Wedding or Party Idea!

So I've been searching of ways to start doing crafts for budget weddings and fell in love with the idea of the very popular can't-get-enough-of-POM POMS. I bought bulk 20x30 inches of tissue paper online and started to make them. I couldn't stop. I kept making all sizes. I then hung them from the ceiling and took a million pictures of them. I couldn't stop that either. The photos just could not capture the true beauty of these things. Why is this POM POM tutorial different than any other you may ask??  I have a few ideas that you may like. This is DIRT CHEAP and SO adorable. They are easy, super fun to make and can be made MONTHS before the event date. 

 Things you may need: 
  • Tissue paper
  • Scissor
  • Galvanized wires or any thin floral wire (optional)
  • Fishing line or clear sewing thread to hang
I cut my 20x30 inch tissue paper into 2 pieces measuring 15x20in. I used 16 of those size sheets to create a huge POM POM. When I was done I folded the 15x20 inch sheets in half (creating 10x15in sheets) and made medium size POM POMS and so on. Keep folding in half to create smaller size POM POMS etc. The more sheets you use the thicker the flower pom pom will be.
I started by folding the 10 sheets of 7.5x10in inch tissue paper. I folded them at about 1 INCH folds until it looked like an accordion.
Accordion folds.
 Cut the ends round (semi circle) for roses. Cut them pointy if you want another petal look.
Do the other side...
Cut your wire about 5-7 inches.  Make a half inch loop if you will be hanging these from each other. This however is not necessary BUT easier when hanging.

Tie the folded sheets together and twist the wires at the bottom. Should look like this.
Make sure you tie the wire in the center of your fold. This assures that when hung, your POM POM will hang straight!
Hold it fanned out.
Start separating one sheet at a time on one side then do the other side.
 Both sides-top view.
 Sorry if I'm OVER explaining.
Here is a mini version (this is 5x7.5in paper) CUTEST ONE!
Cut the wire on the bottom to about 2 inches and make a loop. Grab with a needle nose pliers (easier) and twist with hand.
You can also make a HOOK instead of a loop. This makes it easier to hang in different locations if you change your mind...
Loops will not show.
 
You can layer your colors of tissue paper to achieve a variation of colored petals.
Few different sizes.
To the far left center, there is a light switch witch shows in comparison, the sizes of these lovely things!
You can use them as ROSES on the dining table. Just flatten the bottoms to sit...um...flat :)  I used battery operated tea lights in the center.  They come in many colors and flicker like real candles. VERY safe. Too bad I could not capture how really beautiful they glowed.
 Close the petals around the tea-lights.
Enjoy...

To use MY sizes shown in this cascading tutorial, here they are...

I used 20x30 tissue paper
X Large   15x20in (16 sheets) (20x30 folded in half)
Large      10x15in (12-14 sheets) (15x20 folded in half)
Medium  7.5x10in (8-10 sheets) (10x15 folded  in half)
Small      5x7.5in (6-8 sheets) (7.5x10 folded in half)
X Small  3.75x5in (6-8 sheets) (5x7.5in folded in half)

You can buy bulk tissue packs online (better deal) or you can find them at the 99 cent stores.

First image of garden above is from
housebeautiful.com
I used their image and added my photos of pom poms in Photoshop to show an idea of how to decorate a garden or wedding scene using cascading pom poms.
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61 comments:

  1. Fabulous and creative idea.

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  2. So pretty, so simple. Thanks for the great, easy to follow tute. :) My daughter loves these in her room - easy decor!

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  3. These are so pretty. Easy tute, thanks!

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  4. I love how you hang them, easy way to dress up a party. We are going to make it as a flower in our Daisy Scout troop meeting.

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  5. So cute! You just gave me the best idea for my daughters 1st birthday party! Thanks! This is my husbands account thats why it says tyler ha ha!

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  6. Thank You everyone for the kind comments. I truly appreciate every single one! 'Tyler' I hope you send me a photo of it :)

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  7. Great tutorial! Thanks so much for sharing. I don't know why, but mine never seem to stay fluffy enough. Maybe I need to be more diligent about centering them when I tie off the middle. Or use a thick tissue paper. I love the unique way you hung them and the tea light idea is pure genius!

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  8. Thanks Laura! Try using more sheets to make them fluffier/thicker...

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  9. Wow, the time it must have taken to do such a great tutorial! ;) Thanks for sharing. I love this idea!
    Desi

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  10. Thank you for taking the time to show us how to make these. They are truly awesome!! I definitely plan on using them at the next event I in May!!

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  11. These are just gorgeous!

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  12. I made a bunch of these awhile back but every time I made the big ones they never looked that full, how did you get them to looks so full and not looking like a bowl? I used 16 sheets as well for the larger ones.

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  13. Hello, it might be the texture of the Tissue paper that you used. Was it the thicker or thinner type of tissue paper? Also what was the length of your paper? If it's too long it tends to look a little less full.
    Thanks for the great question! I hope it helps you next time...

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  14. Sorry, I meant if the paper is too WIDE or too square instead of rectangular, it will not look as full as would want it to. The longer the paper the fluffier your pom poms will be since it's folded accordian style and uses it's length for fullness.

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  15. this is a great idea and a great tutorial!! Thanks for posting!!

    cloetzu@hotmail.com

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  16. so pretty..they look like poenies , one of my favorite flower...great idea

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  17. Mariah ThompsonMay 04, 2011

    love the idea using it for my graduation party since it goes really well with the flower centerpieces you can make from paper by hand. Once again this is a wonderful idea!:)

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  18. AnonymousMay 04, 2011

    I love all your ideas and tutorials. You are very creative and what a wonderful presentation.

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  19. Thank you everyone, Mariah congrats on your graduation and thanks for using this idea...

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  20. AnonymousJune 21, 2011

    I've just cut up plastic bags from the grocery store...and with different stores using diff. color bags...makes it just as beautiful as purchasing tissue paper..and they're just as full!

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  21. I has a quick question...when you begin doing the accordion folding do you fold from the long side or the shorter side?

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  22. Hello Colleen , great question. Start folding from the shorter side.

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    Replies
    1. Bingo! The second one folded on the shorter side made such a difference. Thanks!

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  23. you are a great teacher! I love this tutorial and the pics that came along with!!! WONDERFUL job and your creativity is wondrous! These lovely little flowers will add the finishing touches to my 9 yr old's bedroom's Re-design for her Christmas gift! I cannot wait to see her face on Christmas day :-)

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  24. Hey, I am here to know the Small Wedding Ideas. I really got good ideas here. I also appreciate the tutorial given here for the decoration. Keep sharing ideas like this.

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  25. Came here from Pinterest. Thank you for such a great pic tutorial. I made these last October and wish I had found this sight back then. Nicely done, I like how many you have hung from each other.

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  26. I also found you from Pinterest. How have you hung them from each other?

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  27. I love, love love the tier effect. I'm making these for a dinner rehearsal. Will it damage the ceiling of the restaraut I'm using. I'm sure they are light enough. Do you just tape them. Please let me know. Thank you, Alison

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  28. Hello, It will not damage the ceiling--You can use painters tape or clear packaging tape... and yes they are very light...

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  29. Thank you so much! That was so nice of you to get back with me.

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  30. Hello. Great tutorial. Question. When you fold in half to make the smaller poms, do you cut the tissue paper or just double it up to make fluffier poms? For example, you stated: Large-10x15in (12-14 sheets) (15x20 folded in half). Does that mean when you fold it in half you will now be working with 24-28 sheets? Or do you cut to divide and make 2 poms from that fold?

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    Replies
    1. Hello Jenae, Thanks for the great question.
      I folded 6-7 15x20 sheets in half to make 10x15 sizes. That makes 12-14 sheets.

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    2. Hi Trish I came to ask you the same question. Do you cut the paper or just leave it folded? Also (using your example above) does this mean you are now making the pom-pom with the now smaller 12-14 sheets? Or are you making 2 pom-poms with 6-7 sheets?

      I love your site and especially these pom-poms. I plan to use them for a backyard graduation party we are having for 35 college students. We will hang them from a string of lights over a very long table and we will also use the smaller ones on the table with the battery candles.

      Thank you for all of your help.

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    3. Ty so much my daughter is having a quinceanera in July we were stuck on table decorations , We are making these , PERFECT for a mexican theme :) ty ty so much

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  31. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  32. I stumbled on your site looking for decorations for my daughter's graduation party. Love your unique idea of using pom poms! Thanks for allowing your creativity spill out on the internet world.

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  33. Thanks for all the great ideas. I will be using tons of blue poms for a boy baby shower!!

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  34. hello! thank you for sharing.

    may i know which online store you bought your tissue paper from? or any online store you would recommend? so that i can get the papers with the right texture..

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    1. Hello there,
      I purchased from FETPAK.com --look for the bulk tissue papers

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  35. Trish I have another question. What size did you use for the Pom-Poms with battery operated tea lights?

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    Replies
    1. Hello I believe it was the medium Pom but not sure...Try them out to see which size best fits your table.

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  36. Hello, this may be a silly question but how did you run the fishing wire through the loops and secure them so they hung perfectly one under another? Thanks :)

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    1. Hello Bree,
      I just tied them normally and if the pom poms are evenly balanced they hang evenly...hope this helps-if not email me directly with any questions.

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  37. missyr333June 30, 2012

    Beautiful tutorial! I love all the step by step pictures! And thank you so much for the sizes!

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  38. I am having a hard time cutting the edges, any suggestions?

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    Replies
    1. Hello Meghann, are you using more layers than required? try a sharper scissors made for paper.

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  39. AnonymousJuly 29, 2012

    Amazing!!! I am doing this or a bridal shower. I am not clean on how u hang all the different sizes vertically ???

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    1. Hey there, Some of the poms have a hook and some has a loop--use the ones with hooks to hang from the loops...orrrr use clear string to tie together. Thanks for the great question!

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  40. Love it! love it! I've been looking for different size to make and here you are, But would like to know the size of the fold for each one? Thanks!!!

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  41. Thanks for the inspiration! These are just gorgeous! I made my poms out of tulle (cause that is what I am used to making) but in a similar fashion. I gave a credit to you for the idea and a link on my blog - http://planmeapartyinpa.blogspot.com

    Thanks, again!
    Jen

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  42. Crafty Moods - this is hands down the most thorough and helpful description of tissue paper pom poms I've ever seen. Martha Stewart should use this page instead of what she has on her website (with all due respect Ms. Stewart). Can't wait to see what you post next!

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  43. BUTEAFULL!!!!!!!!!!! No really, your pom poms are beautiful and gorgeous! Thanks for the tutorial. Mystic Topaz

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  44. Wow I have made these before but simple hung them as single pom poms. You have opened my eyes to the unlimited possibilities with these pom poms. Thanks

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  45. How do you keep them straight as you fold them? Mine tend to get off kilter .
    Thanks!

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