Good afternoon. I just had to share a Halloween make today. I hope that you like this creepy tassel that I made as a sample for Gina’s recent tassel making shows on Hochanda TV.
Materials:
- Polystyrene egg
- Orange mesh ribbon (approx. 1 inch wide)
- Commercial embellished cord – orange felt flowers, pearls, beads, sequins, pumpkin shaped metal bells attached to orange raffia cord (from my stash)
- Double knit wool (gold/ochre)
- Black ribbon and commercial black cord scraps
- Black die cut sentiment ‘Boo’ (Tattered Lace Die)
- Bats and spiders cut on my Silhouette Cameo machine from black card (Silhouette Store: ‘Spider Web Lantern’ from Jennifer Rush and ‘Bats Flying’)
- Gold and black flower shaped sequins
- Strong cotton thread for tying (I used warping cotton but a button thread would work too)
- Clear drying fabric glue or PVA
- Sewing needle & thread, extra-long sewing needle (e.g. Shashiko or doll needle)
Recommended Tools and Tassel Tutorials:
Gina B Silkworks has a fab selection of tools and publications which will help you to make a range of tassel embellishments: from soft tassels suitable for clothing, to more complex tassels for soft furnishings. Here are a few items that I can recommend for tassel making.
- Total Trimmings Table Deluxe – I used it to wrap the threads for the very long tassel skirt. A considered purchase but so versatile for many Passementerie techniques including making warps for tassels & weaving, cording, button making, lace making, holding thread spools, making bows etc.
- Tassel Tool Kit – great for making a range of tassel skirts, wired trims and chenille
- Total Trimmings Book 3 with Mini Tassel Boards – great for beginners with a host of lovely step by step projects for simple and more complex tassels
- Making Tassels Vol 1 (DVD) – Showing a range of soft tassel techniques
- Making Tassels Vol 2 (Double DVD set) – Showing a range of advanced tassel techniques
How it was done:
- I first covered the egg by wrapping with the mesh ribbon. It was easiest to wrap in a top to bottom direction (i.e. turning the egg on a vertical axis as wrapping around). Secured with a couple of stitches and fabric glue.
- I next made the long wool tassel skirt and tied with strong thread. I used the extra long needle to secure it onto the egg. I passed the needle up through the egg to anchor, and out of the top to make a hanging loop. The join was covered with black cord to neaten.
- The neck of the tassel was then bound with strong cotton. I secured lengths of the embellished raffia cord into the binding. This was then covered with a black ribbon wrap and tied bow.
- Next I glued on the spooky embellishments and sequins. I attached the bats and spiders onto the cords by gluing 2 cut shapes together sandwiching the cord between the card shapes.
Happy Halloween x.
Heather Tree Creative Designs by Anne Waller 