One of the easiest and most cost effective ways to increase the opulence of your home decor is through the use of tassels. Beautifully crafted tassels instantly bring to mind rich Victorian boudoirs and opulent palaces of times long past. You can achieve the same fabulous decorative effect by crafting your own elegant tassels.
Materials Needed
1. Wooden curtain finial, candle cup, or other shape
2. Fabric craft glue
3. Scissors
4. Satin cord or braid
5. Satin bullion fringe trim
6. Decorator trims: beads, buttons, rick-rack, etc.
Constructing the Tassel
The first step in crafting decorative tassels is to cover the wooden finial with narrow cord. You will have to dab clear-drying glue liberally on the wood starting at the top. First make a hanging loop in the satin cord and then begin to wrap it around the wood. All wood should be hidden by the layers of satin cord.
After the wooden form is covered, you must make the hanging tassels of cord. This will be done in a different fashion based on what shape finial or cup you use.
If your wooden topper has a solid base, you can wrap pre-made fringe around it to create the tassel. Wide bullion fringe trim is great for larger pieces. If you are using a candle cup, you will make a simple cord tassel and tuck it inside the cup, gluing it securely.
Decorating the Tassel
After you have crafted the basic tassel from the wooden finial and the cord, you have to decorate it. There are many ways to do this, bounded only by your imagination. Some possibilities include:
1. Stringing beads on some tassel fringe
2. Tying the fringe in bunches at the top
3. Gluing beads or sequins to the top of the tassel
4. Hanging decorative charms from the fringe
5. Gluing buttons around the bottom edge of the wood
6. Attaching rick-rack, lace, or braided trim
Uses for Tassels
The finished decorative tassels can be used in many ways around your home. One popular way to display them is to simply hang them on drawer pulls or cabinet handles. You can also loop them over door knobs.
These tassels can also be used as pulls on lamps. Simply replace the pull chain with the tassel string. Likewise, they can be used on overhead light fixtures and ceiling fans.
Crafting these elegant decorative tassels will make it possible for you to bring the opulence of palaces and chalets to your own home. No matter what you use them for, you will enjoy having tassels of ev
