How to Make Cheer Pom Poms

Nothing helps you cheer on your favorite team like a pair of colorful pompoms. Pompoms made at home can be as full as you like with streamers in your choice of length and color. Though most homemade pompoms are made from tissue paper, these are not durable. Those made from recycled grocery bags last longer, but aren't very colorful. Shop the party-goods aisle for material to make a set of cheer pompoms that are both colorful and will last through numerous games or dress-up sessions.

Things You'll Need

  • 2 plastic party tablecloths
  • Packaging tape or duct tape
  • 1/4-inch dowel, 12 inches
  • Handsaw
  • Sandpaper
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Instructions

    • 1

      Unfold one plastic party tablecloth. These table covers are thin, pliable plastic that measure 54 by 108 inches and come in a rainbow of colors. They cost less than $2 in 2010.

    • 2

      Fold the table cover in half lengthwise and cut down the middle with scissors so you have two 54-inch square pieces. Fold each in half again twice each way until you have eight 27-inch pieces. Do the same for the second color tablecloth.

    • 3

      Cut a 12-inch length of 1-inch diameter dowel with a handsaw into two 6-inch pieces. Sand the ends with a piece of medium-grit sandpaper to eliminate slivers.

    • 4

      Stack two pieces of same-color plastic table cover. Fold it in half and cut 1-inch strips with scissors all the way along the length of the plastic. Cut straight up toward the fold, but stop about 1 1/2 inches before the fold. Repeat with the remaining pieces of table cover.

    • 5

      Begin wrapping the dowel with a section of fringed plastic beginning at one of the folded edges and tape around the circumference of the dowel, overlapping the layers.

    • 6

      Switch to the alternate color and wrap another fringed strip around the dowel. Continue wrapping, alternating colors until you have wrapped and taped two sections of each color around the dowel. Repeat on the other piece of dowel with the remaining eight pieces of table cover.

    • 7

      Fluff up each pompom by pulling down each layer individually.