Pom poms are the perfect, pick me up, feel good trim that should have a special place in your sewing basket. Cheerleaders and giant pompoms are synonymous with fun and laughter and so learning how to sew pom pom trim is a cheerful addition to your sewing skills.
Pom poms have been around for a couple of centuries but made themselves popular during the Great Depression of the 1930s. Cheap and cheerful, they found their way onto many different sewing projects and were affordable trims both then and now.
Pompom trims are guaranteed to lift your spirits as you rustle through their gorgeous colors and fluffy textures.
A Bit About Pom Pom Trim
Pompom trims come in a variety of sizes and colors. Multi-colors, luminous colors, multilayers and mini and maxi bobbles of fluff just waiting to jazz up your sewing project. A quick look at the internet will show you hundreds of ways to use these delightful little pom poms to add an extra bit of pizazz to garments and décor items.
Pom poms can be sewn into the garment, added onto the hem or just stitched into a strategic place. They look gorgeous as a trim on cushions and kaftans. Ponchos are a delight to wear with a colorful pom pom or two.
The Carousel Peasant dress and the Kaftan top or dress are perfect examples of ways to use the pompom trim.
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- Carousel Dress Pattern
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- Kaftan Dress
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- Kaftan Top
Pompoms are part of the braid family and this makes it a simple trim to attach to your sewing. This is a hanging trim so space to swing and wobble makes it all the more attractive.
How to Sew Pom Pom Trim on Top:
There are so many ways to use the pom pom trim as an outside decoration.
Step 1: Choose your desired position and mark the line of application with tailor’s chalk or a fade-out marking pen.
Step 2: Place the pom pom trim along the marked line and stitch it in place.
Small pom poms can be sewn with a cording foot. Larger pom poms may benefit from a zipper foot or a regular foot. For the sample below I used a regular foot with a zig-zag stitch. I did have to stop repeatedly to push the pom poms out of the way.
How to Sew Pom Pom Trim into Seams:
Step 1: Pin or baste the trim onto the RIGHT side of the fabric with the pompom trim facing inside the seam.
Step 2: Use a zigzag or straight stitch and sew the trim on the edge.
Step 3: Gauge the amount of the pom pom trim you want to show. You may want the pom pom to be flush with the edge when the seam is turned open or you may want a bit of braid to show.
Step 4: Put the other piece of fabric on top with right sides together. Pin in place.
Step 5: Stitch the fabric pieces together. I wanted about half the pom pom tape to show so I stitched along my previous stitching. If you wanted to hide the tape completely you could stitch just below this stitching. It gives you a great guide.
Step 6: Turn to the right side and press the seam open.
How to Sew Pom Pom Trim Around Corners:
Pompom trim is basically a braid so turning corners is not too challenging. You will see this all the time on cushion covers. There are 2 ways you can do this.
Method 1: Cut the braid and overlap it by 1/2 inch (12mm) at right angles. Continue stitching using the same method as above.
Method 2: Pompom trim can also be mitered at the corner. When you turn the corner keep the sewing machine needle in the fabric, lift the machine foot and turn ready to continue sewing. Ease the braid around the corner.
Regardless of the method used, don’t forget to clip the corner when you turn the fabric to the right side.
Getting started on this cheerful trim will soon lead to more interesting ways to use pom poms and before you know it you’ll become a collector and pom pom trim creative.
Now you know how to sew pom pom trim, check out my pom pom pillow tutorial
Read more sewing trims
More Pom Pom Crafts
- How to Make Pom Poms: Printable Template
- DIY Pom Poms Fast
- Pom Pom Making
- How to Sew Pom Pom Trim
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