How to Make Cheerleader Pom-Poms

Curling ribbon

If you are going to a sporting event or simply practicing for cheering tryouts, you can save money by making your own cheerleader pom-poms. The homemade cheerleader pom-poms will serve the same purpose as store bought pom-poms, and function just as well. All you need is some inexpensive curling ribbon, such as the kind that is used to wrap birthday gifts. The ribbon is available in an endless array of colors to suit your needs. Add a Popsicle stick, a few rubber bands, and some electrical tape, and you have a pair of homemade cheerleader pom-poms that can't be beat.

Things You'll Need

• Curly ribbon Scissors Ruler Popsicle sticks Rubber bands Colored electrical tape

Instructions

1. Choose curling ribbon in the colors that you would like to use to create your cheerleader pom-poms. You can mix two or more colors to really make your cheerleading pom-poms look like the real thing.

2. Cut the curling ribbon into 15 inch strips. After cutting each piece, which will take some time, pile them together in a neat pile in front of you. Keep cutting the ribbon and adding to the pile until it has reached the appropriate thickness to create one cheerleader pom-pom.

3. Combine all of the cut pieces of curling ribbon together, evenly. The end that will serve as the handle should have all of the ribbon piece ends equally aligned.

4. Hold the ribbon ends firmly and lay a wooden Popsicle stick along the ribbon vertically. Secure the Popsicle stick to the ribbons using 3 rubber bands. One rubber band should be placed around the center of the Popsicle stick and one at each end of the Popsicle stick.

5. Wrap the Popsicle stick and ribbon ends with electrical tape that is of a chosen color to accent the cheerleader pom-poms. The electrical tape will serve as the handle, and will secure the ribbon ends in place.

6. Repeat the process to create the second cheerleader pom-pom. You can use these guidelines to create an assortment of pom-poms in different colors that can be used at different sporting events.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember to cut your pieces evenly. When all of the ends are aligned, there should be no overextension of ribbon pieces. If there are, shape the cheerleader pom-pom using your scissors.

• It is very important to hold the handle end of the ribbons taught before wrapping with the rubber bands and colored electrical tape. If the tape is not wrapped firmly, the grouping of curling ribbon will slip out of the handle and your cheerleader pom-pom will disassemble.

Resources

• Curling ribbon