t-shirt pom poms TUTORIAL

Turn old t-shirts into pretty pom poms!


Learn how to turn old t-shirts into pom poms! T-shirt Pom Poms are so much more durable than tissue paper ones. And I think they look loads better!

T-shirt Pom Poms

t-shirt pom poms

got an old tee or two {or 20!} that you don’t wear anymore? turn them into *pretty little pom poms!* they’re fun and easy to make and turn out oh-so-fluffy!

Supplies

  • t-shirts, 1 per pom pom
  • scissors
  • cardboard
use round objects to trace circles onto cardboard to make 2 templates like those shown above. i used a roll of tape and my camera lens cap…. the diameter of the outer circle is 6.5″ and the diameter of the inner circle is 2.5″.  you can play around with different template sizes to get different sized pom poms.
cut your t-shirt into 1/2″ strips. i only used from the arm pits down on each shirt. .
take one strip and one template and place strips as shown close to the inner circle.
sandwich the strip by putting the other template on top.
take a fabric strip and place on cardboard with the end even with the outer edge.
wind around the template as shown. pull the strip tightly so that it stretches the material. when you get to the end of the strip….
take another strip and place the edge even with the outer circle like you did at the beginning. when you wind it around the first time, be sure to overlap the end of the previous strip so that it is held in place.
continue winding the strips around the template until you reach the other side.
do 2 more layers of strips {so that you have 3 total layers}
now take the sandwiched strip and pull tight and wrap around each other once. this will help hold things in place for the next step.
Warning: this next step is messy. trust me.
with one hand holding the strips in place, use scissors to cut the fabric strips along the template. i recommend sharp scissors, and preferably pointy ones. unlike mine.
after all the strips are cut, pull the string tight and tie into a knot. remove templates.
should look something like this.
now give your crazy ball a good hair cut! i cut two 4.5″ diameter circles out, then sandwiched the ball and cut around to make a nice round pom pom. remove circles, fluff and trim as needed.
{doesn’t it look like a yummy aqua ice cream sandwich….if only it were warmer outside…haha}

*added later: for more Tips and Tricks on making T-shirt Pom Poms, see this post.*

pom poms are so whimsical and fun! i made this fab v-day door decor with mine. i used a pair of left over t-shirt sleeves to create the simple bow. perfect!

i would love to see the t-shirt pom poms you make, so please drop me an email when you’re done! {pretty pretty pretty please!! with a red cherry on top ;o)

*added later: for tips and tricks on making T-shirt Pom Poms, see this post.

More ideas for using tee shirt pom poms:

 

 

Linda
Hi! I'm Linda, the craft addict behind Craftaholics Anonymous®, a craft blog. Crafting is cheaper than therapy, right? When I'm not DIYing something, I can be found taxiing around our 4 crazy kids or working out. Or shoe shopping... because you can never have too many shoes! Happy crafting! ♥
Linda
Linda

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Comments

  1. 201
    Dipali

    I am a crazy crafter too

  2. 202
    Kathy Groebe

    These are some great ideas about using scraps to make beauty.

  3. 203
    Mindy

    Super Cute! Wondering if you have ever tried to make these as flowers for a headband, for eg. Was trying to figure out, though, how I could make these as only half a sphere. Might you have tried this? If so, any tips??

    Thanks!

    1. 203.1

      If you made them smaller and not as thick, I’ll bet you could flatten one side of them and get the look you’re going for. Or you could carefully trim off most of one side and then hot glue a felt circle to where you cut it to hold the strands in place. Hope that helps a little bit! :)

  4. Pingback: Craftaholics Anonymous® | 24 Ideas for T-Shirt Crafts

  5. 204

    How cool is that?! Can’t wait to try it!!

  6. 205
    Callie

    About how big are the completed pompoms? So cute!

    1. 205.1

      5-6″

  7. 206
    Emma

    Hi I’ve been inspired I’ve made pom angry birds!

    1. 206.1

      That is AWESOME!! I would love to see a picture!

      1. Emma

        They are very cute picture 2 googly eyes with diamond shaped yellow felt beak (having trouble sending pic) on red pom background, have yellow Chuck, red, Terrence (bigger red) and dark navy bomb!

        1. They sound adorable! Would you be able to email me a pic at craftaholicsanon@gmail.com? I’d love to feature them on my FB page :)

          1. Emma

            Will do its on its way!

  8. 207

    Thanks so much for the craft idea ,I LOVE it and I love your name .
    Never ever leave Recovery :-)))

    1. 207.1

      Thanks, Mary!

  9. 208

    These are so cute! I recycled few old tees and made pom-poms for my girls’ room. They loved them so much, that now we are making smaller ones for their dollhouse. Thanks for the idea!

  10. 209
    Ssonikka

    Just wonderfull,

    I’ll make definetly.

  11. 210
    Maria Augusta Proaño Rodriguez

    Buen día me interesa muchísimo estos trabajos pero quisiera que exista la opción de traducir al español gracias

  12. 211
    Mom

    Thank you. You do an excellent job of explaining and showing the steps. I appreciate the fact that you came back to the blog and added more tips.

  13. 212
    Neza Rose

    Today is valentines day and I actually did this one for my mom and added the thing or the sign on the doorknob. I made on saying “THE BOSS IS HERE” and a tshirt pompom on top the door sign. This is actually something very simple yet super nice I’d say. I did well even though I only tried this for the first time. Easy and well said instruction I think the hard part was cutting the shirt to pcs. I used very small scissors :( but it still ended up great after a lot of effort. Thankyou for this!!! <3

  14. 214
    Terri

    My daughter tried making a truffila tree as part of some baby shower decorations and used yarn, but it didn’t look so good. I’m passing on this tutorial to her because I think these pom poms might work way better for her. Many thanks!

  15. 215

    Love this

  16. 216
    Barbara

    This looks like something I’d like to try. Thank you