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PUBLISHED: Apr 20, 2012 UPDATED: Feb 3, 2023 BY: Tori | THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. SEE THE PRIVACY POLICY LINKED IN MY FOOTER

How to Make Tissue Paper Pom Poms

I'm a big fan of using tissue paper pom poms in my party decor. What I love about them is that they are inexpensive and can be used in a wide variety of events.

I think many of you love this idea as well–this post has been pinned on Pinterest over 300,000 times!

I've used them for birthday parties (like this candy party) and baby shower (like this spring shower) amd many other events. I often get asked how to make tissue paper pom poms—so today, I thought I would share my tips for making and also for buying them (if you're not the DIY type).

make tissues paper pom poms hanging
How to make tissue paper pom poms

Aren't these tissue poms poms cheerful? I love that you can make them in any color tissue paper so they will match any party theme you come up with!

Jump to:
  • Supplies To Make Tissue Paper Pom Poms
  • Instructions For Making Tissue Paper Poms
  • Additional Tips for This Project
  • Related DIY Posts

Supplies To Make Tissue Paper Pom Poms

All you need is a few supplies to make these tissue paper pom poms. Start by gathering:

  • 8-10 sheets of tissue paper in the same color for each pom pom you want to make
  • Pencil
  • Scissors
  • Floral Wire
  • Fishing Line or twine

Instructions For Making Tissue Paper Poms

Don't worry, they aren't difficult to make, but I'll be honest and say they are little time consuming depending on how many you plan on making. If you have a couple nights to dedicate to making them while watching your favorite TV show, I say go for it. Here are the simple steps I follow:

Step 1: Stack Tissue Paper And Fold

making the poms step 1 - fold

Stack eight to ten sheets of tissue paper. Start by folding over about a 1 ½ inch and making a crease. Continue making accordion folds (creasing well with each fold) until you've folded all the tissue paper.

Step 2: Attach Wire

Making tissue poms step 2

Grab about a 12-18 inch piece of floral wire and fold it in half. Place the wire over the center of the tissue paper and twist so that the wire is taught to the paper and also has a loop on the the other end. This is what you will use to to hang your poms.

Next, using the pencil, mark where you will trim the paper. Trim the ends of the tissue paper. Rounded corners make a more rounded pom look while pointy corners result in a pointier pom pom.

Tip: To make larger poms, you will trim just a little off each end. To make smaller pom poms, you will cut closer to the center where the wire is.

Step 3: Fluff The Tissue Paper Into Poms

This is the step where you "fluff" the poms. Begin by gently separating layers by pulling away from center one at a time.

Repeat until all the tissue layers are separated and you have a round pom pom

Tip: It's pretty easy to tear one of the tissue layers when you're doing this step. If that happens, don't worry! Typically you can just fluff the pom a bit and it won't be noticeable.

Step 4: Hang Your Paper Pom Pom

Now that your pom pom is completely fluffed, you are ready to hang it! Using the floral wire in the center, attache a piece of clear fishing line or twine and hang wherever you want your DIY party decor to be displayed.

Additional Tips for This Project

  • Before you get started watch this short video on Pinterest where I show you how to make them
  • Give yourself some time if you plan on making several of these
  • Make these ahead of time and store them loosely in a trash bag. When you're ready to use them, you can gently re-fluff them a bit
  • I recommended finding a little higher quality (aka thicker) tissue than what you might typically use for gift wrapping. This tissue is easier to tear and the thicker paper tends to hold up nicer.
  • Print out the steps with images so you can have it on hand when you're making these!
Finished Tissue Paper Pom Poms

If I've scared you or the DIY method just isn't your thing, I suggest just ordering your tissue pom poms or one of these great honeycomb decorations. Purchasing the poms are still an inexpensive party decor item.

Related DIY Posts

  • Super Easy DIY Paper Placemats
  • Decorating with Paper Flowers
  • DIY Yarn Gifts for Kids
  • Baking and Craft Party

Whether you make them, or buy them, these tissue poms are a great way to add some flair without breaking the budget.

My daughter even re-purposed her poms from her recent birthday party into decor for her bedroom! 

click button to print instructions for project

How to Make Tissue Paper Pom Poms
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About Tori

Tori is an entertaining expert who likes to keep things simple. From setting a thoughtful table to whipping up an easy appetizer recipe, she's got you covered. Her favorite place is to be is sitting poolside with her family with a glass of rosé in hand.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Acaylar says

    December 29, 2017 at 1:27 am

    Hi everyone!!! Also to Tori
    Umm... I don't understand the steps... Please help me- I AM A POM POM FAN!!!I really love pompoms!!!

    Reply
  2. michelle says

    April 23, 2017 at 11:23 pm

    we dont have a tissue like that here in our place, can i use another kind of paper? can you suggest what kind of paper?

    Reply
  3. Betty smith says

    January 23, 2015 at 7:35 pm

    I would love to make the Pom/poms ,,how do I get the directions other than I.pad?

    Reply
  4. Caryn says

    September 03, 2014 at 9:49 am

    Where did you find your purple and teal tissue paper? I throwing a baby shower and those are the colors I'm using! Love this idea! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Tori says

      September 03, 2014 at 10:03 am

      Hi Caryn! It was years ago and I remember picking some up at Target and the other up at a small specialty store. I would look around online too, I bet you can find exactly what you need and have it delivered. Good luck!

      Reply
  5. Dana says

    July 25, 2014 at 9:12 am

    I would like to hang these from my bedroom ceiling. Do you have any suggestions on how i could fasten the wire to the ceiling?

    Reply
    • Tori says

      July 25, 2014 at 9:19 am

      Hi Dana! I have done this several times using thumbtacks. Just "wrap" clear fishing line around the tack and then press it into the ceiling. If your paint is white, use white tacks. If not you can always paint the flat tack head to match your ceiling so it's not noticeable.

      Reply
  6. shadoulady says

    May 18, 2013 at 3:02 pm

    I made these for a teen dance party several years ago. I had no budget, so colored tissue paper was out. After making the
    'flowers', I diluted Rit Dye and sprayed them different colors. They were awesome! Thanks for reminding me of this
    fun project!

    Reply
  7. Tori says

    December 07, 2012 at 10:46 pm

    Catherine, you could trace the shape that you're going to trim. Thank might help make them even (though I don't think they have to be perfect to look good).

    Reply
  8. Catherine says

    December 05, 2012 at 4:05 pm

    We made these for an office party. Fantasic! Cutting the edges evenly was difficult. How did you cut yours so uniformly?

    Reply
  9. cassandra says

    November 20, 2012 at 8:08 pm

    you could use the wire from the garbage bags, ribbon, yarn, string, rubber bands...anything tying it together would work.

    Reply
  10. Tori says

    November 11, 2012 at 11:20 pm

    Hi Kelcie, possible -- though I'm not sure it'd be long enough. Worth a shot though!

    Reply
  11. Kelcie says

    November 11, 2012 at 4:08 pm

    Do you think a paper clip would work instead of floral wire?

    Reply
  12. Mari says

    September 22, 2012 at 2:18 pm

    Why isn't mine in a round/ball shape?

    Reply
    • Your Hostess says

      September 23, 2012 at 5:24 pm

      Marie -- did you round the corners of the tissue?

      Reply
  13. Hostess Tori says

    August 20, 2012 at 4:46 pm

    Stephanie, the "longer" the tissue paper, the larger the pom will be. So, in step 2 (see the photo above) you would simply snip the corners off for the longest pom possible. Cut more off to make it smaller. And yes, the more sheets of tissue the "fuller" it will be. Hope that helps!

    Reply
  14. Stephanie says

    August 13, 2012 at 9:40 am

    How big is this pom pom? And, how would you make the pom pom bigger/smaller? Just add or remove sheets of tissue paper? Thanks!

    Reply
  15. Your Hostess says

    May 17, 2012 at 3:24 pm

    @Melissa - I use about 8-10 sheets of tissue per pom pom.

    @Lily - Neither! All you need is the tissue and some thin floral wire.

    Reply
  16. Lilly says

    May 12, 2012 at 8:30 am

    do you use a needle and thread or do you use a hot glue gun to put the flower together.

    Reply
  17. melissa says

    April 26, 2012 at 8:08 am

    How many sheets do you use?

    Reply

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Hey there, I'm Tori!
I'm an entertaining expert who likes to keep things simple. From setting a thoughtful table to whipping up an easy appetizer recipe, I've got you covered.

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