I vividly remember practicing cheers at the end of 8th grade with my best friend Michelle in front of the middle school parking lot– waiting for our parents to pick us up for the day– trying to think that I might have a chance at becoming a cheerleader once I hit high school. Ah, sweet naivety. I never did have the cajones to try out… letting all of those sweet high kicks and mock splits go to waste. I think 9th grade was the year I discovered that I was clumsy, and then my cheerleader dreams slowly faded with the onset of my new found awkwardness!
I just wanted to shake the pom poms anyway. I’ve always loved pom poms. So, when a fleeting daydream brought a little inspiration, and inspiration brought a little research… I figured out how to make the most amazing over sized pom poms.
Can you guess what they are made out of?
Well, my little bit of inspiration and research lead me to the thrift store… where I picked up:
Are you ready?
First, you will need a piece of cardboard. Lucky for me, I still have a moving box or two stashed away in the garage. I used a number 10 can for the first big circle, and my camera lens cap for the middle. But, you can use ANYTHING!
And then, cut.
After you cut your cardboard, cut your shirt into 1/2 to 1 inch strips. Then:
Here is the fun part!
Every time you finish wrapping a strip, start the next strip at the top of the cardboard for ultimate fluffiness!
Do you have dexterous fingers? Because you have to wrap three times! I just put on some music and sang along!
Get your sharp scissors, and cut the edge… be careful not to let the pieces fall apart. It helps if you put your other hand on top to hold it down. I was doing this, but I had to let go to use my hand to take the photo… silly. Also, trust your Little Momma when she says to be careful with scissors! I pretty much took my pretty little thumb print completely off with the slip of the scissor blade. Yeouch!
Ohhhhh! It’s looking good!
Now, remember that strip you sandwiched between the cardboard in the beginning? Tie it, really tight. You don’t want those puppies slipping around. Of course you are going to do an impromptu cheer when you are done, it’s a pom pom for goodness sakes!
Take those scary sharp scissors again and give your pom a nice…
Easy, right? I am in love! I feel like I am back in 8th grade!
I’m thinking about making a ton to decorate the house for the holidays…
Every lamp needs a little pom pom bling, right?
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Cute, cute, cute! And I think I have some old tshirts that would be perfect for this project.
Twitter: BoonieSooze
says:
You’re adorable. Your post is very peppy. Dare I say it? Almost cheerleader-like? If that was your goal, and I have no doubt it was, I’d say that’s a big “W” for you!
Gimme a W! Gimme an I! Gimme an N!
Almost thou persuadest me to make a pom-pom.
Susan in the Boonies recently posted..It’s the Relationship, Stupid!
These are so bright and cute! I remember making pom poms out of yarn. Thank you for the trip down memory lane!
Michele Bergh recently posted..Crash Boom Bang
The cuteness of this post is borderline cavity inducing but I love love it! It’s an adorable idea and I plan on putting it to use. I have plenty of spaces in this house that look pale without this ball of fun. Thanks!
Kimberly recently posted..The Official GK Facebook Fan Giveaway
So cute! Like Michele, I remember making pom poms out of yarn when I was in high school, but I like this idea of making them from fabric! Thanks!
Sharon @ http://www.momof6.com recently posted..Cooking with the Kids: Butterbeer!
funn idea!
Love it! Too cute! I’m going to have to make one of these for my sista, she was a cheerleader in high school and would get a big kick out of this. Thanks.
Jeanna @ dramaqueenseams.blogspot.com
Twitter: ziggy1962
says:
That’s a cute idea. I would have never guessed they were made from shirts. I guessed crepe paper
Laura recently posted..TEEN TRENDS: IS THIS NORMAL?
Adorable! Think you fooled a lot of us because we would have never guessed t-shirts! Very cute
Steph from Be Positive Mom recently posted..What’s Your Self-Care Strategy?
Twitter: thewahwife
says:
I have seen these popping up lately. Personally, I love ‘em! Excited to see how easy (and cheap) they are to make yourself.
Angie recently posted..Website Hosting Companies Can Help You Gain WAH Independence
My oldest daughter has found that using old shirts to make all kinds of accessories is awesome. She lucked up and found a thrift store where on Wednesday mornings, everything is 25 cents! She goes through and picks just for pattern or color! I have never seen how to make the pompoms though!
Thanks for sharing!
Bernice
Living the Balanced Life recently posted..Getting distracted, OH SHINY!
Love these! Can’t wait to make some.
Grams recently posted..The Space Age Has Been the Time of My Life
Twitter: kvalentini
says:
It looks adorable!
Mommy Crib Notes recently posted..The Stroller Shove
Very cool and I love that you make these from old t-shirts so I don’t get lost in the craft store for three hours before getting started!
Alison recently posted..Quick and Easy Photobooks
My goodness that is a lot of wrapping isn’t it? I never thought about what goes into Pom Pom making!
Kristy Wilce recently posted..Monday Morning Motivation
Very cute! And it seems easy enough that I might could actually start AND finish it, too.
AprilG recently posted..Etsy Share #3 – You’re Such a Character
Those are really cute! What in the world gave you the idea to make them like that?
Beth recently posted..Police at my door!
I remember going with my cousin to cheer leading all the time back in 8th grade on. It was a fun time to be around all the girls practicing cheer leading. These are so cute I may have to make a few. It is a great idea.
Twitter: teacher_viviene
says:
Oh, how lovely is that! =D
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viviene recently posted..Hiking (Round 2)
What a fun tutorial.. we made ones out of yarn when I was a kid. I had forgotten until your post/tut reminded me.. thanks, I think I will make a few.
Linda recently posted..Happy half birthday!
Wow! I want that lamp bling bling/pompom too! Thank you for sharing this post. I never thought that it would be that way. I am really excited to try this one! I need a good shirt.
Chryzel@Eyelash Growth Info recently posted..Novalash
Very cute!
Sarah Ruth recently posted..MilSpouse Friday Fill-In #50
I remember making these with yarn!! The t-shirt ones look really cool though!!
Tonia @ The Gunny Sack recently posted..Tutorial Tuesday: Knockoff Delancey Felt Petal Pillow from Horchow
I love up-cycling projects! This is super cute! Thank you for sharing it!
Kristin recently posted..Felt Friends Friday
I have been wanting to do these since i came across them on another blog. I have been thinking about making them LARGER and using them inexchange for pillows on my couch! idk if it will work but i guess if you can think it up, you can create it!!