Creating Tulle Pom Poms For A Dreamy Wedding

Tulle pom poms are a fun, whimsical addition to any wedding. They are easy and inexpensive to make and can be used in a variety of ways, from garlands to wand favours. Tulle is a lightweight, fine netting usually made from nylon, and sometimes, silk or rayon. To make a tulle pom pom, you will need a cardboard template, scissors, and tulle. You can also use string, twine, yarn, or ribbon. The process is simple: cut the tulle into strips, wrap it around the cardboard, tie it in the centre, cut the loops, and fluff it out.

Choosing the right tulle fabric

Tulle is a lightweight, fine netting fabric that is usually made from nylon, silk, or rayon. It is known for its soft texture and flowy appearance, making it a popular choice for bridal wear, formal gowns, and luxury fashion. When choosing the right tulle fabric for your wedding pom-poms, there are several factors to consider:

Colour

Tulle comes in a variety of colours, so you can choose the one that best matches your wedding theme or colour palette. You can also mix and match different colours to create a unique look.

Type of Tulle

There are several types of tulle fabrics available, each with its own unique characteristics. Here are some of the most common types:

• Plain Tulle: This type of tulle is known for its delicate, ethereal appearance. It has a sheer, gauzy texture that gives it a romantic and elegant look, making it a popular choice for wedding dresses, veils, and other bridal wear.
• Glitter Tulle: This type of tulle has a sparkling, glamorous finish that can add a touch of glamour to any design. It is a versatile option that can be used for wedding decorations, centrepieces, or even bridal gowns.
• Stretch Tulle: Stretch tulle is treated with an elastic thread, making it stretchable and comfortable. It is a popular choice for designers as it provides a flattering drape.
• Ombre Tulle: Ombre tulle features a gradient effect, with the colour fading from one shade to another, resulting in an ethereal and stunning look.
• Beaded Tulle: Beaded tulle is created by attaching beads, sequins, or pearls to the fabric. It adds a touch of glamour and sparkle to any outfit and is perfect for creating eye-catching dresses and skirts.
• Polka Dot Tulle: This type of tulle has small circles of different colours added to the base fabric, creating a playful and whimsical look. It is often used for full, fluffy skirts and tutus.
• Printed Tulle: Printed tulle is typically made from nylon or polyester and is known for its intricate designs and patterns. It allows designers to create one-of-a-kind pieces that stand out.
• 3D Embroidered Tulle: This type of tulle adds dimension and texture to the fabric with intricate designs and patterns created through specialised embroidery machines. It is often used in wedding dresses, giving them a luxurious and sophisticated look.

Fabric Properties

When choosing tulle, consider the properties of the fabric, such as its weight, stiffness, and transparency. Tulle can be stiff or soft, depending on the size of the yarn used. If you are looking for a fuller and denser pom-pom, choose a stiffer tulle. For a softer and more flowy look, go for a softer tulle fabric.

Additionally, tulle can be natural or synthetic. Natural tulle is made from cotton or silk, while synthetic tulle is made from polyester or nylon. Synthetic tulle tends to be stiffer, while natural tulle is softer and more delicate.

Quality

The quality of tulle can vary, and it is often reflected in the price. Higher-quality tulle fabrics are usually manufactured in France, while more mass-produced synthetic tulles come from Asia. If you are looking for fine, natural tulle, be prepared to invest in higher-quality options.

Cutting the tulle to size

To make a small pom pom, you can wrap the tulle around your hand 20 times. For a larger pom pom, you can wrap the tulle around a piece of cardboard with a diameter of about 12 inches. You can also use a cardboard ring technique, where you cut out a cardboard circle with a diameter of about 12 inches and then cut out a smaller circle in the centre. This will create a cardboard ring that you can use to wrap the tulle around.

Once you have cut the tulle to the desired size, you can move on to the next step of making your tulle pom pom.

Wrapping the tulle around a form

To make a tulle pom pom, you'll need a roll of tulle, scissors, and a form to wrap the tulle around. You can use anything from a book to a piece of cardboard, or even a drinking glass to trace around. The size of your form will determine the size of your pom pom. If you want a fuller and denser-looking pom pom, you can increase the number of times you wrap the tulle around your form.

Here's a step-by-step guide to wrapping the tulle around a form:

• Cut a piece of tulle that is about 7 to 10 inches long and set it aside. This piece will be used to tie the centre of the pom pom together.
• Start wrapping the working tulle around your form. Hold one end of the tulle at the edge of the form and wrap it around completely, keeping the tulle relatively taut as you go.
• For a small pom pom, wrap the tulle around the form about 15-20 times. For a fuller pom pom, you can wrap it up to 30 times.
• Cut the tulle from its spool after the final pass.
• Carefully slide the wrapped tulle off the form, pinching the tube together at its centre. The wrapped tulle should now have a bow-like shape.
• Tie the centre of the tulle tube with the piece of scrap tulle you cut earlier. Tie it as tightly as you can to secure the shape.
• Cut the folded edges of the tulle on both sides of the tube. Insert your scissors through the rounded loop ends and cut them apart.
• Fluff and shape the tulle by gently pulling the cut ends towards the centre. Trim any long pieces of tulle to create a more rounded shape.

Now you have a beautiful tulle pom pom ready to be used as a decoration or as part of a larger craft project!

Tying off the centre

Start by cutting a piece of tulle or ribbon that is about 6 to 10 inches long. This will be used to tie off the centre of your pom pom. Set this piece aside for now.

Next, gather your layers of tulle in the centre as accurately as possible. Take the piece of tulle or ribbon that you set aside earlier and tie it securely around the centre of your gathered tulle. Pull it tight to ensure a firm knot. If you're having trouble getting a tight knot, you can make a single knot to hold it in place, and then wrap the ribbon around the centre again and tie a double knot.

At this point, your tulle bundle should resemble a puffy bow. Use a pair of scissors to carefully cut through the looped ends of the "bow" on both sides of the centre. This will create separate strands of tulle.

Now, gently fluff and separate the tulle strands to achieve the desired fullness. You can trim any excessively long pieces to give your pom pom a more rounded shape.

Finally, if you're using ribbon, you can trim it down to nothing with a dab of glue. If you're using tulle, you can leave it as is or trim it to your desired length.

By following these steps, you will successfully tie off the centre of your tulle pom pom, creating a secure and invisible centre.

Trimming and fluffing the pom-pom

If you're making a large pom-pom, you can use a cardboard circle as a guide for the size. Cut another circle in the centre so that you can tie the tulle in the middle. Then, cut the fabric at the edges of the circle and fluff it up.

If your pom-poms are wrinkled, you can iron them on a low setting with a towel over the top of the tulle to protect the fabric.

Frequently asked questions