Sewing Projects

Tantalising Tassels

Make beautiful tassels to decorate cushions, table runners and bags or use as  key charms. We have 3 styles for you to try. Have fun – there are no rules, just use your imagination!

Requirements

Finished size: 15 cm (6”) tassel

• Choose 30 cm (12”) lengths of narrow ribbon ranging from 3 – 10 mm (1/8 - 3/8”) widths in several colours
• Coordinating beads various sizes and colours
• Wooden shape finial with hole in the top
• Paints
• Coated floral wire
• Wire cutters 
   

To Make - Basic Tassel

1. Cut ribbon to equal lengths, varying the widths and colour. The amount of ribbon will depend on how full you want the tassel to be and how big the bottom opening is for the wooden top finial piece.

2. Take a length of wire and wrap it around the group of ribbons at the centre. Twist the wire to secure. Cut one of the two wires, leaving one wire strand as in the diagram.

3. Paint the wooden finial and let dry.

4. Fold all ribbon lengths at the centre. Thread wire through the hole at the top of the painted finial. Pull wire tightly so that the bend in the ribbon (which is now half of its original length) is pulled into the top of the wooden finial as shown in the diagram.

5. Thread a large bead through the wire. Strand beads of varying widths and colours to create the loop. When the desired length of loop has been achieved, bend the strands of beads to the starting point. Thread wire back into the large bead that sits on the top of the wooden finial and tightly twist wire around to secure. Cut excess wire and make sure ends are not visible.

6. Trim ribbon ends of tassel if needed.

Tassel Variations

Looped Tassel

1. Select ribbon in varying widths and lengths and colours. Ribbon lengths vary so cut lengths between  15 – 25 cm (6 – 10”) to create a full and varied length tassel.

2. Add 3 small beads to the very narrow ribbon. Place one bead in the centre of the ribbon length. Add one small bead on each side of the centre bead approximately 3 – 4 cm (1- 11/2”) up from that bead.

3. Gather each ribbon end creating loops. Wrap wire tightly around ribbon  6mm (1/4”) below ribbon end. Twist ribbon securely and cut one wire length off, leaving one wire strand.

4. Thread wire into the hole of the painted wooden finial. Follow step 5 of basic tassel instructions to secure.

Baby Tassel

1. Follow the instructions for the basic tassel.

2. The only differences are as follows:

• Before securing, gather ribbon with wire, add strands of beading (string beads with transparent thread) the same length as the ribbon.
• 3. Knot some baby trinkets to the end of the ribbon.

4. When tassel is completed add a crown of beads around the top of the large bead (strand beads with a transparent thread) tying the end in a knot. Cut excess threading.

HANDY HINT: Make sure when adding the items that you allow for extra ribbon length to accommodate the knot.

Butterfly Tassel

Follow the basic instruction as a guide.

•  Select and measure all narrow ribbon 12” in lengths.
• Add butterfly trinkets to the ends of a few ribbon lengths. Add varying beaded strands to the measured ribbon pieces.
• When gathering the ribbons with wire, leave both wire strands (do not cut one end).  String both wires into the finial. Thread both wire ends through the bottom and out the top (for the finial, use a small painted wooden pot).
• Add butterfly trinkets by threading each wire end through each end of the butterfly. Add small beads to each side of wire to create the loop for the tassel. Add a larger bead or two to the top. Knot wire ends and cut excess wire.

These projects have been reproduced with kind permission from Berwick Offray and use Berwick Offray Ribbons which are available nationwide from good fabric, craft and hobby stores. For stockist information contact Berwick Offray on tel: 0118 973 5196.

Offray Ribbon prices vary according to design and width, from approximately 80p - £4.50 per metre.

 back to top