How to Make Fancy Tassels

Tassels can be added to throw pillows or used as light pulls.

Tassels can be found on anything from pillows and rugs to scarves and table runners. A tassel has four main parts, a cord, head or finial, neck and a skirt, which forms the base of the tassel. The decorative embellishments can be made out of yarn, embroidery floss, thread or other fibers. Making tassels fancy or more elaborate is as easy as adding beads, glitter or sequins to them.

Things You'll Need

• Yarn or thread
• Cardboard
• Scissors
• Darning needle

Instructions

1. Choose the color of yarn or thread to use for the tassel. The thickness of the material depends on personal preference.

2. Cut a piece of cardboard into the shape of a rectangle. The rectangle needs to be about five-inches in width and twice the length of the completed tassel.

3. Fold the piece of cardboard in half, and cut one piece of yarn. The length of yarn should be 12 inches. Slide the single strand, which will become the tassel's tie, into the folded cardboard (See References 2).

4. Wrap the yarn lengthwise around the rectangle. Continue wrapping until you reach an appropriate thickness for the tassel. One time around the cardboard rectangle represents two strands of the tassel (See References 1).

5. Hold the piece of cardboard flat against a hard surface and pull the tie strand toward the open end of the cardboard. Cut the yarn at the closed end of the cardboard. Slide the cardboard away from the yarn and hold the bundle by the tie strand. Secure the yarn by knotting the tie strand two to three times.

6. Cut another piece of yarn that is between 20 to 24 inches long. Fold the piece of yarn in half, threading both of the ends through the eye of a darning needle. This will form the wrap on the tassel.

7. Fold the bundle of yarn in half with the knot at the top and place on a table. Place the wrap yarn behind the yarn bundle. Wrap one end of the yarn around the bundle to form the head of the tassel. Thread the needle through the loop on the other side of the bundle, and pull the yarn wrap tight. Continue wrapping the strand until you achieve the desired effect. Thread the needle through the wrapped yarn to finish (See References 2).

8. Add beads, sequins, silk flowers or other decorations to the top of the tassel. Trim the bottom of the tassel to straighten any rough edges.

Tips & Warnings

• Experiment while making the tassel by using different fibers or by using multiple colors.

References

• Sew 4 Home: Making Tassels