t-shirt pom poms TUTORIAL

 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)