INPUT ARTICLE: Article: A cheerleading costume isn't complete without the pom poms. The best material to use for durable, puffy pom poms is plastic or vinyl tablecloth. For two-color pom poms, buy two tablecloths — one in each of your desired colors. You will also need a pair of scissors, electrical or duct tape, and a ruler.  You can find these materials in the party section in grocery stores or at most party or dollar stores. You can also buy premade pom poms if you don't want to make them yourself. Work with one tablecloth at a time, if you have more than one. Remove it from its packaging and arrange it so that the cloth is folded in half. It should have a large width and short height. Cut along the folded end to separate the fabric into two pieces. Keeping the two pieces in place, fold them over again so you’re looking at 4 layers of fabric that are the same width, but even shorter in height. Cut along the folded end again, so you have 4 pieces of fabric stacked on top of each other. Your 4 pieces of fabric should still be stacked on top of each other. Now, fold them so that you have 8 layers of fabric that are the same height, but half the width of what you ended the last step with. Cut along the short folded edge to create 8 strips of fabric. Fold and repeat this process once more so that you end up with 16 pieces of fabric that are close to being squares. Depending on the dimensions of your original tablecloth, they may still be a little rectangular. You should end up with 32 squares of fabric — 16 in each color. To create pom poms that have both colors in them, you want layer the colors. Put down a sheet of Color A, then one of Color B, then Color A, then Color B. Make two stacks — one for each pom pom. Each stack should have 16 squares — 8 in Color A and 8 in Color B. Line up the edges of the squares as best as you can. It’s unlikely they’ll line up perfectly, but that’s ok. Place each stack of squares, with the edges lined up, on a flat surface. Tape each one down to the surface by placing long strips of masking tape along their centers. Each square should be bisected by tape.  Lay a ruler down perpendicular to the tape so that it creates a straight line down to the edge of the fabric on one side. Cut along the ruler up to the tape, but don’t cut through the tape. Do this all along the edge of the fabric, creating evenly sized tassels. Repeat this process on the other side of the tape. Remove the masking tape from your two stacks of fabric and position them so that there’s a spine pointing up from your position. The tassels should be out to the left and right of each stack. Fold each stack like an accordion — folding up, then down, then up, then down. It may help to fold two length up, then one length back. Holding your accordion of layers together tightly, wrap a piece of electrical tape around the center to secure it. The tape should be applied as tightly as possible, so go slowly and be deliberate in your movements. You can also add a ribbon or strap around the tape. This will act as a handle for you to hold on to once you've fluffed the tassels. At this point, the tassels are laying fairly flat against once another. Go through your pom pom and pull the tassels in different directions, creating more volume. Continue this until you have a rounded, fluffy pom pom. This step will take a little while to complete, but be patient. You will have great pom poms when you're done.

SUMMARY: Buy your materials. Cut your materials into manageable rectangles. Fold the rectangle in half. Repeat the entire process with the other tablecloth. Stack the squares in alternating colors. Cut the tassels. Fold the squares like an accordion. Bind the centers with electrical tape. Fluff the tassels.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: The classic way to wear a trucker hat is facing forward and fitted to the head. This is an easy, comfortable position that can give off an intelligent, laid-back vibe when worn with the right outfit. Try wearing black fitted pants, a white v-neck, and a jean jacket with your forward-facing trucker hat to achieve this look. If you wear your hat straight backwards, it might look a little retro-gone-wrong. Avoid this fashion faux-pas and go for a much cooler look by placing the back of the hat just above your hairline and allowing the bill to point downward behind you. If you like to be more daring with your fashion choices, put your hat on so that it’s facing forward with the bill coming out from your upper forehead horizontally. Then, lift the bill up so that it moves from your forehead to just past your hairline and is about halfway between horizontal and vertical. This makes for a fashionable European-inspired look. While wearing billed hats sideways was somewhat acceptable during the 1990’s, it’s no longer a trend. Go with a forward-facing or rear-facing position instead if you want to be stylish.

SUMMARY:
Wear it naturally facing forward for a smart, casual look. Wear it backwards and pointed down to give off a cool vibe. Pull the bill up to get a bold, trendy look. Avoid wearing your hat sideways.