3 Tricks to Making Soft Fluffy Pom Poms Quickly
Pom poms are fun and there are so many different ways to make them too. You can use a fork, pencils, your fingers, cardboard cutouts, or even toilet rolls. And while pom poms might be easy to make, lots of people struggle to get them to look full and fluffy. So I wanted to share 3 tricks I learned over the years to make beautiful, super fluffy pom poms quickly.
And as luck would have it the 3 tricks fit right in with this month’s IBC wool challenge – more about that in a second. As a bonus, there’s also a short tutorial towards the end of this post that will show you how to turn a large fluffy pom pom into this heart.
But before I share the heart tutorial and the 3 tricks to make fluffy pom poms, let me quickly tell you a little more about the IBC (Int’l Bloggers Club). Every month a group of bloggers from around the world, challenge each other to create something using a common theme. For last month’s iron challenge, we used a horseshoe to create some wall art. I love being part of the IBC. It’s so fascinating to see how we all interpret the theme in so many different ways. You’ll be able to see what my friends did with their wool challenge at the end of the post.
Okay, before we get to the tutorial, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Instagram. And don’t forget to subscribe so you’ll never miss a post!
What you need to make fluffy pom poms
Your pom pom making tool of choice. I’ll be using cardboard tubes for this tutorial. We always have a few empty toilet rolls floating around somewhere 😉 You’ll also need:
- Thick wool or yarn
- Dental Floss (the waxed kind)
- Sharp scissors
- Two cardboard circles
3 tricks to make fluffy pom poms quickly
Trick #1- It’s all about the wool
Using the right wool or yarn is sooooooo important. None of that acrylic or synthetic stuff please. Real wool works best to make a fluffy pom pom. Merino wool is a great choice, and it comes in almost every color imaginable. It’s incredibly soft and, unlike other wool, it’s not scratchy or itchy. It might be a bit more expensive, but a little goes a long way.
To make a pom pom, place the wool between the two cardboard tubes to secure before wrapping it around the tubes. For smaller pom poms, use pencils or a fork instead.
If you’re using thick wool, you only need to wrap the wool around the tubes about five times. The more wool you add the denser the pom pom will be.
If you use thinner wool you’ll be wrapping for what seems like forever to get that same thick layer 🙂 Once you’re done wrapping we can tie it all together using trick #2.
Trick #2 – Tie it all together with dental floss
If the pom pom is not tied tightly enough you’re going to end up with a sad, floppy pom pom that will probably fall apart. Yarn or thread tends to break when you pull too hard so I prefer using waxed dental floss 😀 It might sound weird but it’s really strong, and the waxy coating around the strands makes it easier to control the loops and the knot.
Tie the dental floss tightly between the two tubes. To create a really “tight” center for the pom poms, I usually tie the floss around the wool once and pull really hard, before tieing it around for a second and third time, pulling hard each time.
Knot the floss and remove the tubes. Use sharp scissors and cut the wool in the middle of the loops that have formed on either side of the floss.
Your pom pom will probably be a bit lopsided and untidy.
That’s okay. We’re going to fix it with trick #3 – the cardboard sandwich 😉
Trick #3 – Make a cardboard sandwich
A cardboard sandwich makes it so easy to the shape of the pom pom. Simply place your untidy pom pom between the two cardboard circles.
Line the circles up neatly and trim around the shape using sharp scissors.
Remove the cardboard sandwich and trim any last scraggly bits if need be. That’s it. You should end up with beautifully fluffy round pom poms.
Use your pom poms to add a pretty trim to a blanket or a pillow, like my friend Katrin did for her IBC challenge or you can make a pom pom rug. And if you’ve ever tried making a rug you’ll know just how important it is to have full, fluffy pom poms that don’t fall apart 😉
Be sure to save all the trimming offcuts, it makes the most amazing stuffing.
And don’t forget to pin the 3 tricks to making fluffy pom poms so you can come back to it later.
RightyO, let’s have a quick look at how to make a big pom pom heart using the same 3 tricks with a small adjustment or two 😉
How to make a big pom pom heart
The great thing about making pom poms is that you can replace the tubes with something else, like spray paint cans, to create a bigger version. For an extra-large pom pom use empty coffee tins.
And instead of sandwiching the pom pom between two circles to trim, place it between two cardboard hearts 😉 and trim in the same way.
Easy right?
Oh and if you’re looking for some of the things we used, we’ve got you covered Disclosure: Clicking on the links below, means we may receive a commission from Amazon. But don’t worry it won’t come out of your pocket, and it helps us come up with more amazing craft ideas to share with you 😉
Or if you prefer to buy rather than DIY, you might like one of these.
Until next time, I hope you have a lovely crafty week and don’t forget the see what my friends from the Int’l Bloggers Club have done with their Wool challenge. Their links should be down below.
Northern Feeling | Faeries & Fauna | Raggedy Bits
I wish I had yarn like that ! And it would be amazing if you could make a heart shaped one for me!
Hey there Isabelle, perhaps you can find some of that fluffy yarn on Amazon. I’m not sure where you stay and would love to help out
I remember making pom poms when I was young but haven’t made any in years. Love yours they look so pretty and fluffy. Love that purple! Thanks for the tips!
You’re most welcome Linda, thank you
Oh my gosh! I adore these pom poms! I love the heart one too! I can’t wait to try them. I have the perfect place to put them in my home too. Thanks for the wonderful tutorial. I made sure to bookmark it for when I’m ready! xo
You’re most welcome Carolann, I’m glad you like the tut ?
Michelle, we have a ton of those big fat yarns on sale at my store right now. And now with your tutorial, I know just what to do with them.
OoooooooooEeeeeeeeee How I wish I could hop on a plane to NY right now and come visit you and pick up some of that yarn at the same time Mary. It’s the best for making fluffy pom poms quickly
NEXT LEVEL!!! Love them Michele. Thanks for cluing us in on the secret.
🙂 gwingal
You’re most welcome Nikki ?
I love Pom poms, this is a great idea for giant Pom poms. I’ve not seen the cardboard roll method before.
You and me both Claire and that sandwich does make a big difference when you’re trying to shape a pom pom
Who would have thought dential floss would come in so handy!! These pom poms are so cute!! They look so soft and yes I agree would make awesome additions to projects! Fabulous tutorial!!
That dental floss trick is the best ever for keeping the pom pom centers tight and it smells yummy too ?
Oh my goodness! Thanks for these clever tricks! Your wool looks like felt wool, which is what I was originally looking for, but couldn’t find any. It is so fluffy, wow! They turned out beautifully and using the shapes, makes it so easy to trim them, ha!
I love using that wool for pom poms and scarves and blankets and …….. ? I hope you do find some next time Katrin, it makes a big difference.
It looks so soft and cuddly. I could use a BIG snuggly fluffy red heart to wrap my arms around and falll asleep. Love it!
Hello my fwendsus ❤ I’ll see if they have any Red Merino at the Metro and make one just for you. If there’s no red, can I make you a purple one? I still have lots of wool left.
You are awesome! I wish I had awesome yarn and could make awesome pom pom’s like you!
It would be awesome if you could make me one!! I love making DIY’S and Crafts.
? I’ll make one with love
Michelle you knock me out sometimes lol. I read your post thinking I know all about making pom poms and then you taught me two new things. I use pom pom makers and dental floss but never thought of using a cardboard sandwich to trim them. Love the super large pom pom, so fun.
Whooop, whoop I’m so happy to hear that Leanna ? That cardboard sandwich does make it so much easier to trim.
Thanks to your awesome tutorial, I had a light bulb moment for a project. Toilet paper rolls and dental floss, what’s not to love about no need for fancy tools! Pinned 🙂
Yeah, no-one’s got the time or money for the fancy stuff ? Thanks for the pin Marie