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