Tassels are having a moment in fashion right now, and they're an incredibly versatile accessory to wear. In this tutorial you'll learn how to make a long bohemian-style necklace that's perfect for wearing on its own or layering over some of your existing pieces. You can also add tassels to bracelets and clutch bags, too.
Supplies
- 1mm beading wire.
- Embroidery thread (floss).
- Gold beads.
- 1 metre chain.
- 7mm jump rings.
- 3mm jump rings.
- Super glue.
- Flat nose pliers.
- Round nose pliers.
- Scissors.
Step 1: Start Your Tassel
There are many ways to make a tassel. I have found the quickest and simplest way is to use your fingers. Take the end of your embroidery thread between your thumb and middle finger and start to wind the thread around your first and middle finger. Apart from the simplicity of this method, it also allows you to adjust the length of your tassel.
Step 2: Make Your Tassel
Keep wrapping the embroidery thread until you have a nice thick bundle. The thickness of your tassel is completely up to you, but I think they look better when they have more rather than less thread. When you have finished, leave a length of thread about 20cm so you can fasten your tassel.
Step 3: Tie Your Tassel
Carefully slip the tassel off your fingers and pinch the threads tightly about 1cm from the top. Take the end of the embroidery thread and wrap it around the bundle and fasten in a knot.
Wrap and knot the end of your thread a few times to ensure your tassel is securely fastened.
Step 4: Finish Your Tassel
Add a dab of super glue to the knot and snip off the end of the thread. Take a pair of scissors and cut the bottom loops to reveal your tassel ends.
Step 5: Add Jump Ring
To add a jump ring, take a pair of pliers in either hand and pinch the side of the jump ring. Gently pull the jump ring in opposite directions towards and away from you.
Now you need to thread your tassel on to the jump ring. This can be a little fiddly but works best if you pinch your threads tightly at the top with your fingers and slip onto the jump ring.
Close the jump ring by repeating the action in the opening step, but in reverse!
Step 6: Make Your Eye Pin
Cut a piece of wire about 6cm long. Take the very end of your wire between the nose of your round nose pliers and hold tight. Pull your wire around the pliers in an anti-clockwise direction.
Reposition your pliers to where the loop joins and then bend the main part of the wire into a straight line.
Step 7: Thread Your Beads on to the Wire
Now it's time to thread your beads on to the eye pin. I used one bronze and two gold beads. Snip off any excess wire 1.5cm from the edge of the last bead.
Make another loop at the end of your wire approximately the same size as your first loop. A quick tip for getting these loops the same size is to mark on your pliers the spot where you made the first loop. Make your loop in the same place.
Step 8: Join Your Tassel
Gently open the end of one of your loops and thread on your tassel. Close the loop.
Step 9: Add Your Chain
Thread your tassel onto your chain. I wanted to make my necklace really long so I used a piece of one metre long chain.
Step 10: Close the Chain
Take your tiny 3mm jump ring, open it and thread on your chain and close again. The advantage to using a long piece of chain is that there is no need to add a clasp fastening. This tiny jump ring blends seamlessly into the chain.
I made these tassel necklaces in a whole spectrum of colour-ways so they look particularly good layered up.
Do you make your own jewellery? Got any favourite tips or tricks? Share them with us in the comments section below.
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