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Create your own SU Tailgate!

Make Your Own Pom Pom!
When the SU Bookstore is too far away for you to pick up your pom poms, don’t despair...make your own! All you need are some simple household supplies and a little creativity!
The pom pom instructions below have been tested by members of the Alumni Association Board of Directors!


Supplies:

Orange tissue paper – rectangular sheets (quantity depends on desired size of the pom pom)
Wire shirt hanger (or O-ring)
Pantyhose (or facial tissues)
Electrical tape
Rubber Bands
Scissors Instructions:

Paper

Open tissue paper from packaging, with long side of rectangle to top/bottom and short sides at left/right.

Fold tissue paper in half from left to right. Turn paper so that fold is to top, and open ends to bottom.

Handle Allowance: Measure approximately 3 – 4” from the fold, and draw a line horizontally across the paper (parallel to the fold). The strips will be perpendicular to this line.

Paper strips: Measure out columns approximately 1.5 – 2” increments across the paper, drawing lines vertically (perpendicular to the Handle Allowance line) to mark out the space.

Cut along strip lines, stopping at the horizontal Handle Allowance line. Set paper aside.

Handle

Take the wire hanger, untwist the handle area, and cut off the wire just before the kinked section. (Note: if making a smaller pom pom with an O ring handle, skip to step 4)

Form the wire in the shape of a circle, overlapping the two open ends slightly.

Secure the overlapped ends with electrical tape.

Wrap the pantyhose around the electrical tape to form a cushion. (Note: for smaller pom pom, use facial tissue.)

Cover the pantyhose with electrical tape to seal the handle Grip. Set handle aside.

Putting It All Together!

Open tissue paper so that cut strips are on left/right horizontally.

Taking 1sheet at a time, grab by the uncut portion (Handle Allowance) in center, and insert through the handle hoop.

Holding the handle by the Grip at top, shift the paper sheets to the bottom of the hoop, so that the Handle allowance rests across the wire and the strips hang off to either side.

Repeat 3-4 times until one “layer” across is created. ( Note: for firmly packed pom poms, use more sheets per each layer.)

To lock down each layer, take a rubber band and place it over the handle Grip, pushing down the sides of the hoop until it rests on the top layer of tissue paper. Press down firmly.

Continue adding layers (and locking down with rubber bands) until tissue reaches approx 4 – 5” below the handle Grip.

To lock in all the layers, hold the pom pom securely from the bottom, and twist the exposed wire below the Grip ¼ turn in either direction.

GO SU! You’re ready for action!