Tassles are so hip right now [no, not those kind of tassles, well unless that's your thing?] so I’ve got a rather fab DIY ombre* tassle tutorial to share with you today, or rather two tutorials – even better! Whether it’s for a ceremonial send off for your wedding day, decorations for a hen party or maybe just to prettify your home, these sweet and simple tutorials by the oh-so-talented and crafty Erin from Berinmade [she also does the prettiest stationery, go check her out!] are a great way of adding colour.
This versatile DIY rests on one easy concept of making a tassel that can be used in more than one way. It’s partly inspired by the fabulousness that is Confetti System, and also the ombre trend which is picking up again in time for summer! Tassels are oh-so-festive and are perfect for any outdoor and garden affairs as well as the DIY-savvy brides!
Part 1: Making a Tassel
A simple tassel can be used for a ceremony send-off down the aisle. Here is your list of supplies:
- Tissue paper (which can be bought at Paperchase for £2.50 a pop)
- Gold/Silver Pipe Cleaners
- Jute String/Beige Rubber Bands
- Scissors
1. Stack 4/5 pieces of tissue paper and cut out a rectangle. The height should be twice as long as you’d like the tassle to be (mine, about 10 inches) and the width about 1/3 of its length (mine about >3 inches).
2. Fold in half, and cut strands of your tassel from the open end up to the folded end, stopping at about 1 inches of the fold. Thick strands give a substantial feel that is perfect for backdrops, and thinner strands are airier and “fluffier”.
3. Still laying the tissues “at, slip a finger into each end of the fold.
4. Bunch up the centre (the uncut bits), whilst still making sure that the strands don’t shift.
5. Twist the centre as if ringing a towel. The twist is what gives the tassel its “magic”, when you twist, you will see the strands curl up.
6. Continue twisting, and bring the twisted part to a loop. Tie up with jute string or rubber bands. Don’t worry too much about the bands showing, as when the tassels are shaken, they will hide the tied part. Now shake it to wake it!
7. To make a tassel for send off, thread your pipe cleaner through the loop and twist upon itself. Voila!
Part 2: Making a backdrop
Making a backdrop is easy but just requires a bit more patience and perhaps best made with a troop of bridesmaids/friends! The great thing about this backdrop is that it is collapsable and light to carry.
Extra Supplies needed:
- Superglue
- MDF beams
1. The backdrop is constructed by “beams” going across which will be hidden when the backdrop is done. In that sense, we don’t need to worry too much about their colour (although neutral is always best). You can order MDF beams on websites such as MDF Cut To Size which will also deliver them to your door.
Order the width as you’d like the width of your backdrop, then order the “height” and thickness in 15mm.
Line up your beams on the “floor parallel to each other. The space between them should measure about 1 inch less that the height of your tassel (so that the row above would hide the loop of the tassels below.)
2. Keeping in mind the spacing, double knot your jute string near the end of the beam (about 1 inch away from the edge), and after fastening, apply a bit of superglue to make sure the knot doesn’t shift.
3. Repeat on each beam until you reach the end, leaving a generous amount to trail off. This is the top of your backdrop and the end will be used for hanging.
4. Thread your tassels in, one colour on each beam. My backdrop measures 27 x 15inches and has 10 tassels on each beam.
When you finish flling the frame with tassels, complete the backdrop by fastening the other side with jute string (steps 2-3). Hang the backdrop by two nails on the wall!
So there you go! Seriously pretty and colourful decorations for so many uses [also thinking on backs of chairs, pew ends, the options are endless!]. Thanks again to the clever lady behind this Erin, who is founder and illustrator of BerinMade Illustrator Paper Goods, an Etsy shop based out of London, UK specialising in wedding stationery, pretty paper things and custom craft supplies for weddings and beyond. Check out her website [www.berinmade.com/wedding) and blog (www.berinmade.com/blog].
Do let me know if you think you’ll be giving it a go… go get your craft on!
*I know I know it’s a widely over-used term on wedding blogs, but well, it’s kind of the only way to describe it!
London Bride is a modern blog all about stylish & unique city weddings. Author Charley Beard is a London based creative wedding planner and stylist who aims to inspire and assist couples tying the knot in London! Check out the Services page for more info!
