Weekend Must-Try DIY – How to Turn Embroidery Thread into Tassels
Learn how to make tassels using just a skein of embroidery floss. This super easy tutorial will help you use up extra embroidery thread and make decorative tassels for all your favorite items.
You don’t need any fancy gadgets or even something to wrap the thread around because you will use thread that is already wrapped – skeins of embroidery thread!
DIY Tassel on a Welcome Flag
There are so many different ways to use tassels! Here, I put one on the end of an embroidered welcome flag.
1. Start with a skein of embroidery floss
It can be an expensive brand of embroidery floss or an inexpensive bundle package with lots of skeins. They both work great for this easy DIY tassel project.
2. Find the loose end of the thread
One loose end is usually near the edge, so you can easily pull it out. Don’t remove the papers from the skein of embroidery thread yet.
3. Pull about 14” of floss out of the skein
Instead of measuring with a tape measure or ruler, you can pull on the end of the floss until you feel it stop with some tension if you pull further. I call this ‘one-stop’ of embroidery thread.
Cut off a piece close to the skein that will be about 14 inches long.
4. Pull out and cut about 28” of floss
Pull out another strand of embroidery floss that is 2 stops long, or about 28 inches. Cut it off close to the skein.
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5. Lay the rest of the skein on your workspace vertically
Wrap the shorter piece of floss around the center of the skein.
6. Tie the shorter piece around the skein
Use a tight knot to secure the shorter piece of floss around the center of the skein.
7. Put the looped ends of the skein together
Remove the papers from the skein.
8. Pick up the longer piece of cut floss
Hold the folded skein in your left hand. With your right hand, lay one end of the longer-cut piece of floss next to it. The short end of the cut piece should be near the loops on the skein.
9. Wrap the long-cut piece around the folded skein
While holding the skein and the short end of the cut piece in your left hand, wrap most of the cut piece around the top of the skein, about a 1/2 inch away from the top, or as desired.
10. Stop when there is only about 4” of string left
When both loose ends of the embroidery thread are the same length, stop wrapping.
11. Tie both ends in a tight knot
If the knot is tight, it will hide under the layers of wrapped thread.
12. Cut the loops of floss at the bottom of the tassel
There are lots of loops. Be sure to cut them all.
13. Trim all the ends of the thread so they are even
Give it a good haircut!
You just made a fancy tassel!
The shorter tie that you tied first is the long string at the top of the tassel. Now, let’s attach it to a bag!
Pull one end through a hole in the zipper pull or the bag hardware
Tie it into a tight knot.
Thread the ends of the tie through a yarn needle
A yarn needle has a very large eye to make this step easy.
Use the needle to push the ends of the tie through the middle of the tassel
The only way to hide the ends inside the tassel is by using a needle.
Trim the tie ends
Trim the ends of the tie so that they are the same length as the rest of the tassel.
What else will you make tassels for?
Learn how to make this cross-body zipper bag!
Put a tassel on your cosmetic case!
What will you tie tassels on?
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