How To Make A Tassel For Your Basket Bag Using A Book!

31/05/2018

Tassels we all love them, right? So, I want to show you how to make your own tassel using just a book. You can then use it to decorate your basket bag, or make four and add them to the corners of a blanket for the garden! Maybe use one as a keyring? With a bit of imagination, the list is endless…

[perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Tassel … a tuft of loosely hanging threads or cords knotted at one end and attached for decoration to soft furnishings, clothing, or other items[/perfectpullquote]

You will need:

A book
Some yarn or string, chunky is good but optional.
Scissors, the sharper the better or a craft knife.
Large eyed needle, a tapestry needle is good.
Scrap of paper with a straight edge
Beads are optional but nice? Etsy have a lovely choice

My 2 Top Tips:

Before we start I just want to give you 2 tips that may help:

Use a chunky yarn, or string. It makes everything quicker and simpler and, in my experience, gives a better result.
Remember that the book you use will equal the total length of the body of your tassel, so choose your book according to the size of tassel you want. (this will become clearer later on)

How to make a Tassel

1. Decide how long you want your tassel to be. Ie. from the top of the head to the bottom of the fringe. Then simply choose a book the same height or as near to this measurement as is possible. Cut a length of yarn, cotton or string approx 50cm long and lay this along the top of the book, this will be the tassel tie at the top of your tassel.

2. Wrap the yarn around and around the book, and over the piece at the top. Keep going until you are happy with the thickness. Lay the book flat and snip off the end. Tie the ends of the top piece together a few times very tightly. Cut the ends at the bottom and remove from book.

3. Thread the tied ends through the tapestry needle and push needle through to the other side pulling the ends as you go. Give it a shake out.

4. Cut another piece length of yarn to wrap around just under the head to finish off. Make one end into a loop shape, and lay it on tassel. Grasp the other end, and wrap it tightly around tassel and over the top of the loop to secure it. Work from the top of the neck down, so neck threads lie evenly next to one another. when you are satisfied pass end of thread through loop and pull close. tuck or sew the ends inside the head.

5. Wrap the paper around the fringes and trim the edge into a straight line. Use the top threads to tie to your project…