How to Make a Chinese Tassel
Tassels have been used throughout Chinese history as decorations on clothing and household objects. In ancient times, women attached tassels to shoes to draw attention to their feet. Tassels have also been used at the end of belts and on Chinese lanterns. Although tassels can be made in any color, red is a very auspicious color in Chinese culture. Gold is also a good color, and a red tassel with gold floss wrapped around the top is both beautiful and a symbol of good fortune.
Things You'll Need
- 2 skeins of Chinese floss or embroidery floss (see Tips)
- Cardboard
- Scissors
- Cord to make tassel tie
- Needle
Instructions
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1
Unwind one skein of Chinese floss. Respool the floss by wrapping it around a piece of cardboard or your fingers so that it is the length of the desired tassel when pulled taut.
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2
Hold the top of the spooled floss in one hand, pull the floss tight, and cut the loops of floss at the bottom to make the tassel fringe.
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3
Lay the cut strands flat on a table. They should be twice the desired length of the tassel.
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4
Straighten the floss and arrange into a single bundle. Fold the floss in half over the cord, which will become the tie. If desired, tie the cord around the floss to ensure that it is secure.
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5
Tie one end of the new skein of floss to the floss looped over the cord.
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6
Carefully wrap the new skein of floss around the dangling tassel to form the top of the tassel. If you are using heavy floss, make sure that the wraps are neat.
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7
When the top of the tassel is the size you want, cut an additional foot or so of floss from the skein.
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8
Thread the extra foot of floss through a needle and pass the floss through the top of the tassel to tie it off.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Chinese floss, which is available through online retailers, can range from fine silk thread to thicker silk cord. Although silk is traditionally used, less expensive synthetics are readily available. If you have trouble finding Chinese floss, embroidery thread is a good substitute.
Be sure you have securely tied off the top of the tassel or it may unravel.
References
- Photo Credit Stock.xchng
