Monday, March 9, 2009

BLUE MONDAY - Tutorial on Making a Bird Tassel










Sally from SmilingSally is hosting BLUE Monday. Be sure to click and visit her site and all the other BLUE Monday participants. There are so many different BLUES you'll be glad you did. Its so fun to meet new bloggers in that way also...and don't forget to leave a comment so they know you've been there.

I have had some requests for a tutorial on the tassels such as the one on the top that I've had so much fun making They are simple to make and I've found new ways of making them with what I have on hand or have found as I go along. Therefore I'll show pictures of a couple of variations.

You can use a wooden finial such as the pink one below, or purchase a small wooden flower pot from Michaels, or a little wooden box such as the one shown near the bottom I found in the dollar store. I hot glued the lid closed on it. Sometimes I glue the little box.
You'll also need a selection of trims available from a fabric store, Joanne's or Michaels, and also a selection of coordinating ribbon.

I usually use 2 different types and lengths of fringe trim. I cut each one about 8" in trim length. One of the fringe trims will have tassel strands longer than the 2nd piece. Begin wrapping and hot glueing the fringe trim with the longest strands around the finial. Be careful you don't get that hot glue stuck on your fingers!!! Continue glueing this way all the way around.





























Next I choose the ribbon I would like to use as the loops. I like them to be the length of the longest strand of tassel times two to make the loop. Decide how many loops you want to hang. I would probably use at least 8 of them. Aren't these lovely shades of BLUE ribbon?














Glue one end of the loop like the BLUE ribbon in the picture, using the hot glue and then bring up the other end to form a loop. Glue that in place. Continue all around adding as many as you would like. Use different coordinating colours or variations of the colour. Its all your choice....and thats the fun...















Then hot glue the other 8" piece of fringe trim with the shorter length fringes on top of the other layers to cover the loops. The first one I used here is again BLUE along with pink. Again fasten it hot gluing along the way to secure it. Watch that hot glue on your fingers I repeat!!!













The one above is still in progress and requires more tassel so I'll show you the Cardinal I created today which now is not BLUE but rather red and shows you more of the contrast in size of the length of each of the hanging fringes. I have added a strand of dried greenery to the one side.



















I made the Cardinal using the little wooden box.... and I glued one long length of red ribbon to either side of the box under the tassel. I cut the ribbon in the middle at the top to make the tie to hang him by. Isn't he just cute?









If you are using one of the birdies like the one on the top of the page he is made of a sort of styrofoam material with feathers over it . I use a little eyelet screw purchased from a hardware store and screw that carefully into the head of the bird and slowly screw it back out. I put on a dab of hot glue and then screw it back in. Sorry its a bit fuzzy. From that I hang the ribbon which to use to hang him on your buffet knob, or lampshade, or a door knob...or anyplace you would like to add a lovely tassel.














There are all kinds of different materials to improvise that work better with others depending on what you are using. But generally this is how I do it.

This little lamb is a china type lamb which is made the same way. I think he would be darling in a baby or child's room. Don't you think?


















Have fun creating your own and if you have any questions please email me. Email me a picture if you do make one. I'd love to see yours.

Visit my my Etsy store if you would rather purchase one..

Have a lovely BLUE Monday and productive day.... Judi xoxo


24 comments:

Bo said...

Hi Judi...how sweet of you to take the time to show us how to make tassels! You make it look easy!
Thanks, ;-) Bo

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Judy, these tassels are so cute and sweet! Love them!

BTW, your link isn't working over at Sally's. Just thought I'd let you know.

XO,

Sheila :-)

LADY JANE said...

Judi,I love to make tassels! You have shared a great tutorial with the Monday Gals!

SmilingSally said...

Judi, come back and link in again. You typed in an extra "r" and the link doesn't work!

bj said...

How sweet of you to teach us how to do this lovely craft. Thank you sooo much. I just hope I can do it..
xo bj

SmilingSally said...

Thanks for the help; I'm still not sure that I can handle it. I don't see where I could attach the fringe onto the egg. Thanks for sharing. Happy Blue Monday.

jlshall said...

Thanks so much for the lesson in tassel-making! The cardinal tassels would be so cute for Christmas decorations. I may actually have to try making a tassel myself, although I'm not really a crafty gal. Great Blue Monday post!

Anonymous said...

Good morning Judi,
You make this look so easy but I can't even work a curling iron so I dunno... :0)
Happy Blue Monday to you!

Anonymous said...

Hi Dear Judi! Oh, thanks for the tutorial on making tassels! Yours are so pretty. I tried my hand at the birdie, but I don't think it turned out so nice! I love the little red bird on the box! That's a great idea. Man, we're going to be so busy, aren't we?
Be a sweetie,
Shelia :)

Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com said...

Thanks for the tutorial! I have seen those tassels around and always wondered how to make one. It is lovely!!!!!!

Thanks!

Jen

Judy said...

How sweet of you to share. I've seen so many and wondered how they were made. I even purchased one that I love. Your directions look so easy, I'll have to try it. I'm so glad you visited me and I found your blog. Have a happy week.

JudyBug said...

Judi, I always wondered how those were made. You're tempting me to try it!

JudyBug

GARAGE SALE GAL said...

Hi Judi!!!
Thanks for visiting me and I LOVE your tassels!!! I tried making one and it doesn't look as lovely as yours. I don't know why I can figure it out. I will try again. I think mine needs more ribbon:)
I'll be sure to stop over again. Nice to meet you!
Deb

Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer said...

Running late this week visiting blogs....Hope you had a great Blue Monday!Love your tassel tutorial...might have to try making one!
Susan

Dawn said...

Thanks for the tutorial. I have always wondered how you ladies made these. I just might add one to my very long, ever growing to do list.

take care,
Dawn

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for showing all of us how to make these pretty tassels. They are just beautiful! Happy Blue Monday!

imjacobsmom said...

Thanks for sharing all your secrets....You made this look so easy! ~ Robyn

Heidi Pocketbook said...

Judi, those are all so pretty! Thanks for the tutorial, I hope I can come back and take advantage of it.

Thanks for the bday wishes, hope you had a good Blue Monday☺

♥ Kathy said...

Judi that is so neat. I never knew how to do that :) ♥ hugs, Kathy

Baba said...

Hi Judi,You are so talented and can make cute things.. the tassels are precious and I like the lamb the best!!!Thanks for your visit to my place today... Hugs, Baba

Sweetie said...

Thank you for showing us how to make a bird tassle. Your instructions are wonderful but I lack the talent. Yours are beautiful. Happy Blue Monday!
Sweetie

Darlene said...

Hi Judi,

You did a great tassel tutorial. I have made a few (back in the fall & Christmas) and enjoyed making them.....quite fun!

Queenie's Vintage Finds said...

Hi Judi,
Thanks so much for visiting with me....it's nice to meet you! Your blog is so pretty and fun...the tassels are gorgeous. It looks like alot of love and time goes into them....hope you have a great day. I'll be back again soon.
Big Hug,
Queenie~(Christie)

Blondie's Journal said...

Judi,

Thank you so much for sharing your trade secrets on Blue Monday! There is a lot more than meets one's eye in making these tassels I can now see, but they are just so pretty!

Happy Blue Monday!

xoxo
Janie

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