DIY Fabric Pom Poms and Beads: Upcycling Textile Scraps

Updated at: 31/05/2025

In a world increasingly conscious of sustainability, upcycling textile scraps transforms waste into wonderful creations. This simple yet rewarding craft project demonstrates how to breathe new life into those seemingly insignificant fabric remnants cluttering your sewing basket or overflowing recycling bin. Transforming discarded fabrics into vibrant, textured pom-poms and coordinating beads offers a fantastic opportunity to unleash your creativity and contribute to a more environmentally friendly lifestyle. You'll discover that even the smallest scraps can contribute to a beautiful, handmade accessory or decorative element.

This guide will take you through the straightforward process of creating delightful DIY fabric pom-poms and beads, perfect for embellishing everything from clothing and bags to home décor. From selecting your materials to adding the finishing touches, follow along step-by-step to learn how to easily upcycle your textile scraps and create charming, personalized additions to your projects.

Preparation and Safety Guidelines

Tools Needed
  • Woven fabric (quilt covers, bedsheets, shirts, pillowcases)
  • Ruler
  • Scissors
  • Cardboard
  • Round object for template
  • Yarn (optional)
  • Cotton thread or embroidery thread
  • Needle
Safety Guidelines
  • Always supervise children when using sharp scissors or needles. Small beads and pom poms present a choking hazard for young children.
  • Ensure adequate ventilation when working with fabric dyes or sprays, if using them to color your scraps. Wear a mask if necessary.
  • Wash your hands thoroughly after handling fabric scraps, especially if they've been previously used or dyed.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Prepare Fabric Yarn

    • Gather woven fabric scraps.
    • Rip fabric into 1cm width strips.
    • Remove excess fibers from strips by rubbing.
    • Make a hole at each end of fabric strips by layering, folding, and cutting a slit.
    Make a hole at each end of fabric strips by layering, folding, and cutting a slit.Make a hole at each end of fabric strips by layering, folding, and cutting a slit.Make a hole at each end of fabric strips by layering, folding, and cutting a slit.Make a hole at each end of fabric strips by layering, folding, and cutting a slit.
    Prepare Fabric Yarn
    • Interlock strands by pushing the end of one strand under the other and pulling through.
    • Continue interlinking and winding fabric into a ball (fist or double fist size).
    Continue interlinking and winding fabric into a ball (fist or double fist size).Continue interlinking and winding fabric into a ball (fist or double fist size).
    Prepare Fabric Yarn

  2. Create Fabric Pompoms

    • Create a pompom template by drawing two circles (one smaller than the other) on cardboard and cutting them out. Make a slit to the center of one. Repeat for a total of 4 circles, 2 with slits.
    • Wrap yarn around the pompom template, ensuring strands point to the middle.
    • Cut the yarn around the outside edge of the template.
    • Separate the cardboard templates and trim any uneven edges using the extra circles as guides.
    Separate the cardboard templates and trim any uneven edges using the extra circles as guides.Separate the cardboard templates and trim any uneven edges using the extra circles as guides.Separate the cardboard templates and trim any uneven edges using the extra circles as guides.Separate the cardboard templates and trim any uneven edges using the extra circles as guides.
    Create Fabric Pompoms
    • Tie a long piece of fabric around the center to secure the pompom.
    Tie a long piece of fabric around the center to secure the pompom.
    Create Fabric Pompoms

  3. Make Fabric Beads

    • To make fabric beads, roll fabric scraps into small balls.
    • Wrap cotton thread around the fabric balls, manipulating into a bead shape.
    • Secure the thread with a few stitches and a knot.
    Secure the thread with a few stitches and a knot.Secure the thread with a few stitches and a knot.Secure the thread with a few stitches and a knot.
    Make Fabric Beads

Read more: Sew a Lined Expandable Storage Bag: Easy Tutorial

Tips

  • Use woven fabrics for easier ripping.
  • The interlinking method is less bulky than knotting.
  • Use extra cardboard circles to even out the pompom shape.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Loosely Wound Yarn

Reason: The yarn isn't tightly wound, resulting in a wobbly or uneven pom-pom.
Solution: Wind the yarn more tightly around the cardboard or template, ensuring consistent tension.

2. Uneven Cutting

Reason: The yarn loops are cut unevenly, creating a messy and unprofessional-looking pom-pom.
Solution: Use sharp scissors and carefully cut through the yarn loops between the cardboard pieces.

3. Inconsistent Bead Placement

Reason: The beads are haphazardly strung, creating an unbalanced or unattractive look.
Solution: Plan the bead placement beforehand and use consistent spacing and patterns.

FAQs

What types of fabric scraps work best for making pom-poms and beads?
Soft, pliable fabrics like cotton, felt, jersey, and even old t-shirts work wonderfully. Avoid stiff or heavily textured fabrics that might be difficult to shape. For beads, consider thinner fabrics that are easy to roll.