tassels

Who doesn’t love a fun tassel to decorate a new project? Sure, you can buy tassels of all sorts, but why do that when you can create your own custom pieces.

Tassels can be used for all kinds of things—from zipper pulls to tote bag adornments. String several tiny ones together for an innovative necklace or belt. Tie them onto packages as an accent or add a wire to create sweeping earrings.

Thread types

Tassels can be made from all kinds of strands—solid or variegated threads of any weight or type, yarns, trims, baby rickrack, skinny suede strips, raffia, tiny cords, etc.—anything flexible enough to wrap and tie. Use one kind of thread, or multiple strands of various threads. And, don’t stop there—add in some beads, charms, etc. for extra embellishment or combine thread colors and textures for more interest.

Wrap and go

There are several different ways to make tassels, including using some readymade tools designed specifically for the process.

A simple tassel can be made using cardboard or a piece of sturdy foam as the template for wrapping. Cut the cardboard to the desired finished height of your tassel and 3”-4” wide.

Closely wrap threads around the cardboard until you create a bundle with half the desired fullness you like. Push the threads together tightly. Holding the bundle firmly, slide it off the cardboard, wrap a separate piece of thread tightly around the tassel a short distance from the top, and tie off.

Do not trim the ends of the wrapping strand but instead continue wrapping the ends around the tassel top, then tie off again and bury the thread ends into the tassel wrapped portion. Thread another strand through the folded upper loop to use as a hanger or attachment to your project. Cut the lower looped edges and trim as needed, or leave the ends looped.

Fold and go

This method works best for thinner thread tassels. Similar to the wrap-and-go method above, the fold-and-go method uses a piece of cardboard with the center cut out. Wrap thread about the cardboard to the desired fullness (half of the finished look), then use your sewing machine to stitch the center of the strands together using a dense satin stitch. Leave the thread ends long enough to weave back into the wrapped area. Cut the ends of the wrapped tassel strands and fold the tassel in half. Using a wider, dense satin stitch, sew the edges of the wrapped areas together forming a loop at the upper edge. Thread a strand through the top for hanging or attaching to the project.

Easy peasy

To make tassel making even easier, begin with a skein of embroidery floss, in any color or weight. Cut off a length of the thread, and tightly wrap and tie the center of the skein and tie off to form a hanging loop. Fold the entire skein in half and wrap/tie again a short distance from the top fold. Tuck the loose ends into the wrapped area. Trim the lower looped ends of the tassel strands. Voila…a quick and easy option!

And there’s more…

*Instead of thread or yarn to create your tassels, consider stitching out lengths of serger chain and use that for the strands and wrapping. Any type of thread is fair game, from glitzy metallics to slinky rayon or fuzzy wool strands. After the tassel is done, use a fray stopper or fabric glue on the ends of the strands to keep them from unravelling.

Tassel Tips

Check out readymade topper caps (available on Amazon. Note we may receive a small commission if you make a purchase). They can be metal, wood or plastic and you simply slip your custom tassel top into the cap and glue it in place. Some caps also come with clips to attach them to your project, or with earring wires for jewelry.

Use a large bead for a tassel topper. The hole needs to be large enough for the tassel to be glued firmly into it.
Make larger tassels to use for home décor projects, whether you adorn the corners of a pillow or you use a larger tassel for a shade pull. If you use them on pillow corners, stitch the attachment loop into the seam as you join the pillow front and back.

Thank you to Bernina for use of select images.

~Linda Griepentrog is the owner of G Wiz Creative Services and she does writing, editing and designing for companies in the sewing, crafting and quilting industries. In addition, she escorts fabric shopping tours to Hong Kong. She lives at the Oregon Coast with her husband Keith, and three dogs, Yohnuh, Abby, and Lizzie. Contact her at gwizdesigns@aol.com.

Many sewing projects require straight, precise lines at a pre-defined width using thread that blends into smooth fabric. But when it comes to decoration, there are no rules, and fabric becomes an artist’s canvas for sewing crooked, intentional wrinkles, and wild and vibrant threads.

In her book, Creating Texture with Textiles, Linda McGehee covers topics like crinkling, beading, couching, the cameo shuffle, pintucking, lattice piecing, and more. In this article, Linda shares her technique for making fuzzies and tassels. (reprinted with permission).

Fuzzies and tassels are simple to create and the color choices are as varied as the threads available. Threads that ravel nicely, such as heavier metallic and rayon threads for the upper and lower looper in the serger work beautifully for either technique. A combination of threads in a variety of colors produces the best design, depending on the project.

Fuzzies

Follow along for steps to make a fuzzy:

To make a fuzzy, twist 10 to 20 threads together to form a cord (Step 1). Begin with several long pieces of thread, fold them in half, then in half again.

Vest Challenge: Use these techniques (or others!) to enter the Ghee’s Vest Challenge. Learn more on the Ghee’s website or download the flyer. ASG Members, don’t forget to use your ASG discount! Get it in the Special Offers section.

To prevent pulling the finished fuzzy apart, use an open-toe foot with a serpentine stitch, a short length, and width as wide as the twisted cord to stitch the distance that is intended for the satin stitch (Step 2).
With the presser foot down, set the machine for a perfect satin stitch the width of the cord.
While in reverse, stitch over the serpentine stitch to the beginning of the stitching (Step 3).
Set the width just a little wider and stitch forward over the previous stitches to achieve a smooth finish. Because of the bulk of the threads, you may need to help the machine during the final stitching.

Tassels

Tassels are somewhat easier because one step is omitted.

Begin with twisted threads as with the fuzzies above (Step 1).
Zigzag over these threads about 1/4″ (Step 2).
Sink the needle into the fabric, lift the presser foot, pull the upper twisted threads around to position them on top of the others, and satin stitch over the previous stitching (Step 4).
Widen the stitch to accommodate the double layer of threads.
Trim to the desired length.
Let the threads hang naturally or use your hands to mingle and separate them.

Tassels have never been easier!

Tips

Any heaver serger thread or yard that ravels easily is great for fuzzies and tassels. Try metallic, rayon and ribbon floss.
Twist the threads tightly while stitching the serpentine stitch to make the smallest center
The twisted thread will be doubled in the tassel-making process. Plan accordingly and do not make the first step too large.

~Linda McGehee, Ghee’s (reprinted with permission)

DIY Tassel Tricks