Creating Tissue Paper Pom-Poms For Wedding Chairs

Tissue paper pom-poms are a fun, easy, and affordable way to decorate for a wedding. They can be hung from the ceiling, used as napkin rings, or even as a garland. With just a few simple steps and supplies, you can create these fluffy, colourful decorations in no time. In this guide, we will walk you through the process of making tissue paper pom-poms, including stacking and folding the paper, securing the centre, trimming the edges, and fluffing out the layers to create a beautiful, full pom-pom. So, let's get started and add a whimsical touch to your wedding chairs!

Choosing colours and patterns for your pom-poms

Tissue paper pom-poms are a great way to add a burst of colour to your wedding reception, dinner party, or bridal shower. They can be used as hanging decorations, centrepieces, or even as a fun addition to the wedding arch. When choosing the colours and patterns for your pom-poms, consider the overall aesthetic you want to create.

If you're aiming for a casual look, mix and match different colours and patterns for a fun and informal feel. You can play around with various shades in a warm or cool colour palette, or create a bold contrast with black-and-white or jewel-toned pom-poms. If you're feeling creative, try experimenting with printed tissue paper, such as a houndstooth pattern, or even upcycle old fabric like T-shirts for a unique and sustainable option.

For a more formal and elegant look, stick to a monochrome colour scheme or opt for classic white pom-poms. You can also pair white pom-poms with accenting cushion poms in a matching shade for a sophisticated and cohesive appearance. Consider the size of your pom-poms as well; oversized hanging pom-poms will create a dramatic effect, while tiny pom-poms can be used as decorative tabletop accents or gift toppers.

Additionally, don't be afraid to trim your pom-poms into different shapes. You can create scalloped edges by rounding the ends of the folded stack or make spiky poufs by cutting triangle points. The options are endless, so feel free to get creative and choose colours and patterns that reflect your personal style and the theme of your wedding.

How to stack and fold the tissue paper

To make tissue paper pom-poms, you'll need to stack and fold the tissue paper before securing it with wire or ribbon and shaping it into a sphere. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to stack and fold the tissue paper:

Step 1: Stacking the Tissue Paper

First, you'll need to gather your tissue paper. For each pom-pom, you'll typically need around 8 to 12 sheets of tissue paper. You can use a single colour or mix and match different shades to create a unique multicolour look. If you're making multicolour pom-poms, place the sheets in the order you want them to appear, creating an ombre effect or alternating colours.

Step 2: Folding the Tissue Paper

Once you have your stack of tissue paper, it's time to start folding. Fold the stack of tissue paper in an accordion style, also known as a concertina style. This means folding back and forth, creating pleats or folds of equal width. The width of the folds can vary depending on the desired size of your pom-poms. For larger pom-poms, make wider folds of about 1.5 to 2 inches. For smaller pom-poms, such as napkin rings, go for narrower folds of about 0.38 to 0.5 inches.

As you fold, make sure to press down gently to create a clean crease, being careful not to rip the delicate tissue paper. Continue folding until you have one long strip of folded tissue paper.

Step 3: Trimming the Tissue Paper (Optional)

At this point, you may want to trim any excess tissue paper that sticks out unevenly. This will ensure that your pom-pom has a neat and uniform shape.

Now that you've stacked and folded your tissue paper, it's time to move on to the next steps of securing the centre and shaping your pom-pom.

Trimming the edges of the tissue paper

Firstly, decide on the shape you want for your pom-poms. You can create rounded or curved edges for a soft, elegant look. Simply use scissors to cut the ends of the folded tissue paper stack into a curved shape. This will give your pom-poms a full and fluffy appearance. You can also opt for pointed or spiked edges for a unique, modern look. Cut triangle points or sharp angles at the ends of the tissue paper accordion for this style.

When trimming the edges, you can also play with the size of your pom-poms. If you want smaller pom-poms, trim the ends of the folded stack until they are closer together, reducing the overall size of the pom-pom. For larger pom-poms, you may not need to trim as much, or you can even add more tissue paper sheets to increase the size.

Another design option is to create scalloped edges for your pom-poms. This involves rounding both ends of the folded stack to form a gentle, wave-like pattern. This design adds a whimsical and playful touch to your decorations.

When trimming the edges, be careful not to cut the tissue paper too jaggedly. Smooth and clean edges will give your pom-poms a more polished look. Also, ensure that you cut through all layers of tissue paper evenly. Strong scissors will help you achieve a precise cut.

Feel free to mix and match colours to create unique, multicoloured pom-poms. You can place the sheets in the desired order before stacking and folding them together. This will give your wedding chairs a vibrant and colourful touch.

Lastly, don't be afraid to experiment and get creative with your designs! You can try different shapes, sizes, and colour combinations to find the perfect look for your wedding chairs. Have fun crafting these beautiful tissue paper pom-poms!

Attaching wire or ribbon to the centre

Firstly, gather your materials. You will need a long piece of wire, preferably thin floral wire, and optionally, pliers. If you are using ribbon instead, cut a length of ribbon that is long enough to hang the pom-pom, if that is your intended use.

Now, take your stack of folded tissue paper. Place the wire or ribbon around the middle of the stack. If using wire, twist the ends together securely, ensuring that the wire holds the stack together snugly without being too tight, as this can cause tearing when the pom-pom is fluffed out. If using ribbon, tie a secure knot, ensuring that the ribbon holds the stack together tightly without being too tight.

At this point, you can create a hanging loop with the excess wire or ribbon. To do this, shape the wire or ribbon into a small circle and then twist or tie the remaining end around itself to secure the loop.

If you are using wire, you can now use the pliers to snip off any excess wire, ensuring that there are no sharp ends that could cause injury or tear the tissue paper.

Attaching the wire or ribbon to the centre of the tissue paper stack is a simple yet important step that provides the structural base for your pom-pom. Once this is done, you can move on to the final steps of trimming the ends of the tissue paper and fluffing out the layers to create the full, spherical shape of the pom-pom.

Opening the pom-pom into a fan shape

Now that you've stacked, folded, and secured your tissue paper, it's time to open it into a fan shape!

First, fan out the two ends of the folded tissue paper, spreading them out as far as they will go. This will help you create a full, even pom-pom. Next, take each sheet of tissue paper and carefully separate it from the one underneath. Be very gentle to avoid tearing the paper. You will need to separate and puff up each sheet to create a nice, even, puffed-up pom-pom. It might be helpful to do the top four sheets first, and then turn it upside down to work on the other half.

If you're making multicoloured pom-poms, you can replace 1-2 sheets of tissue paper with an alternate colour on both the top and bottom layers. This will create a beautiful, eye-catching effect.

Once you've finished fluffing and separating the layers, your pom-pom is almost ready! The final step is to attach a string or ribbon to the wire loop if you wish to hang the pom-poms. You can also create a garland by stringing multiple pom-poms onto a long piece of string or wire for a whimsical arrangement.

Frequently asked questions