A Formula for Tissue Paper Poms: Large, Medium, and Small
I am sure you have either: A) made these, or B) seen them around the web. While they aren’t fancy, these are one of my go-tos for party decorations, because you get a lot of bang for your buck, and they are pretty versatile. I’ve always just kind of winged it with size and number of sheets, but when faced with the fact I would need to make a few hundred, I needed something more precise. And wouldn’t you know it . . . I didn’t really find any sort of specifics out there!
Well, here you go, kids – a nearly scientific formula for tissue paper poms! First off, I used these tissue paper half-reams from Nashville Wraps. They are 20×26″ and are 240 sheets. If you are making these in bulk, you will definitely need a rotary cutter, a straight-edge, a self-healing cutting mat. You will also need a sharp scissors, floral or small-gauge wire, and a small wire snipper. I’m not putting pom pom instructions here, as they abound on the internet.
The small poms have a finished diameter of about six inches.
To make one, you will need 8 sheets of tissue paper that measure 8×8.75 inches. Make one inch folds, starting the fold on the 8 inch edge and folding up the long way (so, when all the folds are done, the folded-up paper is 8 inches wide and one inch tall).
To make a bunch, grab a whole fold of tissue – It will have 24 sheets. Count out 8 sheets and fold them back in half (this folded tissue will measure 20×13). Position the paper so that the 20 inch edge is facing you. Using your rotary cutter and straight-edge (and cutting mat), cut the paper at 16 inches and 8 inches. This will give you 3 strips: 2 that are 8 inches wide and one that is 4 inches. Set the 4 inch strip aside and save it for something like this. Unfold each 8×26 strip so that the 26 inch edge is facing you. Cut this strip into 3 (almost) equal parts: 8.75, 8.75, 8.5. Keep going! I did all of the paper cutting first, then I snipped all the wire. After that, you can just sit and fold and finish.
The medium poms have a finished diameter of about 9.5 inches.
To make one, you will need 12 sheets of tissue paper that measure 13×20 inches. Make 1.5 inch folds, starting the fold on the 13 inch edge and folding up the long way.
To make a bunch, grab a whole fold of tissue paper and unfold it. Cut it right in half along the fold line. This will give you 2 stacks of 24 sheets that measure 13×20. Separate the sheets into stacks of 12. Start a-foldin’.
The large poms have a finished diameter of about 17 inches. This is pretty simple. Take a whole fold (24 sheets, 20×26 inches) and unfold it. Make 1.5 inch folds, starting the fold on the 20 inch edge and folding up the long way.
There you have it. I hope this helps some other poor soul out there. A warning: if you make hundreds of these, the sight of tissue paper might start to make your stomach turn. And, your self-healing cutting mat may or may not bust in half (thanks a lot, Martha Stewart craft supplies). On a lighter note, here are some inspiration photos!
Awesome post, love making these but always have to guestimate. Totally bookmarking this!
Thank you so much for taking the guess work out of it. I have been diddling around for the past couple of hours trying to find a size that works for the small ones!
Sweet! That’s awesome — I hope it worked for you, too!