Everyone knows what pom poms are right? But did you know that you can make them with fleece? You most certainly can, and I've come up with a way to do it! Small pom poms in pastel colors look like beautiful spring blossoms, perfect for Tu B’Shevat! Larger fleece pom poms can be great strung as a garland. I've been wanting to make a bunch to trim a fleece blanket or scarf.
The best news is, with just one simple technique you can make pom poms in any size you like, to use in so many fun ways.
A Note Regarding Fleece Quality And How To Cut Fabric:
If you are using high quality fleece, which is generally quite thick, you can cut your pieces from the fabric in any direction. If you are using thinner, poorer quality fleece, such as that found in many inexpensive blankets, how you choose to cut the fabric is quite important, as if fringe is cut along the weak directon of the fabric, the fringe will get easily pulled out of shape if tugged on. To avoid this, first test your fabric to see in which direction it stretches most by pulling it between your fingers. Then cut your strips such that the length of the strip is along the stretchy direction of the fabric.
How To Make Fleece Pom Poms and Fleece Pom Pom Flowers:
You'll Need:
- fleece, in any colors for balls, in pastel colors for blooms, green for leaves
- (fleece can be purchased by the yard, or one can use fleece blankets as yardage by simply cutting off the binding)
- sharp scissors
- a ruler
- all purpose craft glue
- skewers or sticks for making blooms
Basic Instructions For Making The Flower Pom Pom Blooms Seen Here:
Cut a piece of fleece that measures roughly 27” long and 2” high for the larger bloom shown here, or 12” long and 2” high for the smaller bloom. Blooms can also be made using several colors, though make sure that the total length matches that specified above.
Step 1: Place your strip of fleece horizontally on the table. In one hand hold the end of the strip and with the top edge folded over to meet the bottom edge. Begin cutting fringe along the length of the strip, cutting just up to the fold, but not too much such that you accidentally cut all the way through. For balls, cut fringe that is roughly 1/2” wide, while for the more delicate blooms, cut fringe that is roughly 3/8” in width. Cut fringe along entire length of fleece strip, without worrying too much about exact width of each piece of fringe.
Step 2: Roll the resulting piece of fringed fleece in a tight roll, making sure that the fringe does not get twisted or folded within the roll. Note: If you'd like a really sturdy pom pom, you can do this by making a running stitch down the center of the fleece strip and then gathering the strip to form a ball, and proceeding with Step 3.
Step 3: Using a string, or even a cord made by cutting a thin strip of fleece in the same color, tie a tight knot to bind the roll together as tightly as possible. Do be careful to tie the string in the middle or your ball or pom pom may be lopsided.
Step 4: Fluff up your ball by rolling it between your palms. The resulting ball will look like the photo on the left, which you may like, or you may prefer a slightly neater pom pom, as seen on the right. To get a neater and tighter pom pom, the solution is a haircut, or rather just a little trim! Carefully start to clip off ends that seem longer than the rest, turning the ball as you begin this initial trimming process. Proceed slowly, as cutting too much could destroy the round shape of the pom pom. That is it! If you have made a ball, your project is finished, (go play!) if you would like to make pom pom blooms, proceed to step 5.
Step 5: To make beautiful pom pom blooms for Tu B’Shevat you can attach them to sticks or skewers to make a bouquet, or you can choose to hang them mobile style by attaching thread or fishline to the pom pom with a needle. To make blooms with stems, a skewer can be carefully inserted into the center of the pom pom, though don’t push too hard or you can dislodge the whole shape. (If this happens, simply find the middle string that is keeping the pom pom together, cut it, tie a new string and re-roll.) Sticks found outside can also make great stems, and can be attached to the pom pom with all purpose craft glue.
To make leaves for your pom pom blooms, cut small leaf shapes from green fleece. Cut small slits in the end of the leaves so that you can slide them onto the skewer. Arrange the leaves such that they sit just beneath the pom pom, and secure with glue to the skewer. That’s it! Make just a few, or an entire bunch which you can enjoy year round!