Tissue Paper Party Pouf Tutorial

Hi everyone,
Several people expressed an interest in knowing how to make the tissue paper party pouf balls that I made for our granddaughter's birthday party recently.  So I made one this morning, just using some tissue paper I had on hand.  Let's begin.
Using at least 12 sheets of tissue paper, more if you want more fullness, lay them out with the short end towards you.  I used 14 sheets for this particular one.  In this case, I used some solid red, and a few sheets of red print.  Using only a few of the print, I layered them evenly spaced between the reds. 

For future reference though, I will not use a print paper such as this that has a "right" and a "wrong" side.  The "wrong" showing none of the pattern.   Stack them nice and neat, long side away from you.

Beginning with the short end closest to you, make folds, accordion pleat style, about 1 to 1 1/2 inches wide.  Front, then back, like a fan.

Once you have reached the end, fold the entire length in half, determining the middle.

Taking ribbon or wire, or fishing line, tie the middle with a tight knot.  Not cinching the paper though.  I made mine leaving a very long attached piece of ribbon to hang it with as well as extra to curl the ribbon too.  You can also hang then from fishing line so that they appear to be floating.

Next, you will want to cut or round the corners, to form your petals.  I do this while holding it over the waste can, as it is the messy part.  Because of the thickness, you can only trim off a few ends at a time.  You can also trim them to a point too.  Try it a few different ways.

Above is what it will look like after the trimming is done.  Now, starting with one side, begin to separate the tissue paper, one sheet at a time.  Taking care not to tear it. 

Using one hand to work your way between the the pleats, while lifting the paper up with your other hand.

Do about half of the sheets on the one side, then turn it around and begin working on the opposite side.  Once you have pulled up about 1/2 from both sides, carefully turn the pouf over onto the table to begin pulling up the layers from the other side.

Continue doing the same thing on this side, until you have all sheets separated.  Then holding the attached ribbon, begin to pouf it out with your  hands until you have a pleasing shape, and fullness evenly distributed all the way around.

Curl the attached ribbon, and hang it up, standing back to admire your work!

There you have it.  Tissue Poufs 101.  The color combos are endless, and I see these being a fun decoration for so many things!  I will be making them in Christmas colors for the holidays, as well as small ones to attach to gifts!
So go ahead, and make some.  Come back and share them with me.   I want to see what you come up with!!!