Your embroidery scissors work hard and they deserve some special embellishment. An easy-to-make tassel is the perfect accessory for scissors of all shapes and sizes. The tassel is made from embroidery floss and hangs from a decorative twisted cord made from the same floss. Read on to find out how to make both the tassel and the cord.
We used a Loome tool to make the cord and the tassel. The Loome makes it easier, but this project can also be done without one.
Materials
- Loome Tool
- Embroidery floss (1 skein of the main color, and an 18" length of a contrasting color)
- Size 20 tapestry needle
- Scissors
Make the twisted cord
From your main color skein, cut a 32-inch length. Fold the length in half and then tie the ends together in a knot. Slip the floss through one of the notches on your Loome tool, using the knot to secure it.
Hold the Loome in one hand, and hook a finger of your other hand through the loop at the end of the floss. Begin twisting the floss with your finger. Continue until the twist is fairly tight, but not so tight that you can't slip your finger out of the loop.
Place the Loome flat on your work surface and with your free hand, grasp the middle of the length of floss. Bring the loop to the Loome, and slip it over one of the notches.
Gently release the floss and let it twist back on itself. Run your fingers along the cord to even out the twist if necessary.
Remove from the Loome and set the cord aside. The cord will stay twisted.
Make the body of the tassel
From your main color skein, cut an 8-inch length and set aside. You will use this piece to tie the top of the tassel.
The Loome tool has two ends. You want to make your tassel on the side where the arms are closer together. This will make a small tassel. If you want to make a larger tassel, use the other end. You might need an additional skein of floss for a larger tassel.
Secure the end of the floss in one of the notches, and then start winding the floss around the arms, making sure the tension is not too loose or too tight. When you reach the end of your floss, secure the tail to the same arm that you started on.
Take the 8" length you cut earlier and slide it through the center of the yarn bundle while it is still on the Loome. Wedge the yarn up to the top of the arm on the opposite side of where you ended your thread.
Tie a single overhand knot. It is hard to get the knot tight while it is still on the Loome, so carefully slide the bundle off the Loome and then tighten the knot. Finish with a second overhand knot. Do not cut the ends of the tie. You will use them in the next step to help secure the cord.
Attach the twisted cord
Slip one end of the twisted cord through the center of the bundle. Bring the two ends of the cord together and tie a knot to secure them. Trim the ends about 1/4 inch beyond the knot.
Holding the yarn bundle so that the tie is at the top, position the cord knot so that it is in the center of the bundle. Pinch the two sides of the cord together at the top of the tassel, and use the ends of the tie to make a knot around the base of the cord. This will help hold it tight and keep it centered at the top of the tassel.
Smooth the ends of the tie into the rest of the tassel body.
Finish tying the tassel
From your contrasting color skein, cut a 15 to 18 inch length. Tie the length around the neck of the tassel and secure with a tight knot. Take one end of the tie and wrap it tightly several times around the neck and then secure with another knot.
Thread one end of the contrasting tie through the tapestry needle, leaving a short tail. Pass the needle through the center of the tassel to bury the end in the middle of the bundle. Repeat with the other end.
Using sharp scissors cut the loops at the end of the tassel, and then trim the ends to even them out. If you want a fluffier tassel, use your tapestry needle to tease out the individual strands in the embroidery floss.
Tie your tassel onto the handle of your favorite scissors using a larks head knot.
The options for tassels are endless. Play with color combinations in the body of the tassel, use variegated floss, or try wrapping the tassels with metallic thread or wire. The Loome tool makes it easy to get creative!
Need a special pair of scissors for your new tassels (like the adorable sheep scissors below)? Be sure to check out our selection of decorative embroidery scissors and snips in the shop!
