Small Thread Tassels for Earrings & More!
Learn how to make small thread tassels the easy way – and how to make them perfectly sized! These are perfect for your jewelry making crafts. This post contains affiliate links.
I’ve shared a few techniques for tassels in the past, and I like to always build on skills using different materials.
While making tassels follows the same process more or less for different materials (besides for the next one I plan to share – that is, leather tassels), the exact technique varies for the functionality of the materials you use.
Today, I’m going to share with you how to make small thread tassels that are perfect for jewelry making crafts. You can throw back to some of the others I’ve shared in the past including beaded tassels and yarn tassel garlands.
Two ways to make small thread tassels
There are two main ways I share how to make thread tassels:
On the first, I used thread only to make my tassel including binding and finishing it off.
On the second, I used thread for the tassel but finished it off using wire.
I prefer the second method for jewelry making projects, which is my main reason for making small tassels from thread. This is because it’s MUCH sturdier, and it polishes it off too. I share the thread-only method as well just so that you can see how to do it, in case you’re looking to keep things to fiber only.
The thread and wire tassels were turned into a lariat-style necklace just to demonstrate what you can do with it.
I used a wooden tassel maker from Bucilla to make my thread tassels. While not required, this makes it MUCH easier to keep things consistent and to tie it off.
One of the biggest challenges of working with a fine material like thread is not losing your parts. A tassel maker helps to keep everything in place.
For this tutorial, I do NOT recommend a cardboard tassel maker. You need something completely rigid.
Which thread should you use?
To make my thread tassels, I used regular cotton sewing thread. Yup, that’s it.
I decided to go with the most delicate, hard-to-use option because if it works for that, it’ll work for “easier” threads too!
So you can take what I did and adapt it to other threads including:
- DMC Pearl Cotton no. 8 – which is thinner than an embroidery floss but thicker than a thread and has a GORGEOUS high end finish.
- And yes, it can even be applied to thicker yarns.
What you’ll need
- Thread – see recommendations above. I used regular sewing thread.
- Thread snippers
- Optional: wire – I recommend using anywhere between 20-24 gauge. 24 gauge will be easier to handle but will require more wrapping to hold. 20 gauge will hold well with few wraps, but you’ll need to work it.
- Optional: Jewelry pliers if working with wire
- A binder clip or small clamp for thread-only
How to make small thread tassels
Making all-thread tassels
1. Start wrapping thread in the center of your tassel maker. Hold it with one hand, holding the end of the thread against the tassel maker (even if you thread it through the hole) and wrap with the other.
2. Wrap your thread around about 100 times or until you are satisfied with the thickness. You may find it easier to wrap with the tassel hand – move that one to catch the thread – rather than wrapping the thread around the tassel maker.
3. Remove the thread from the skein.
4. Cut a length of thread to tie off the top (whatever you’re comfortable with – let’s say a foot).Thread it through the slit in the tassel maker and pull it up to the top, so that it lays beneath the wrapped threads.
5. At this point, I recommend clipping it in place, as it’ll be easier to tie off after you remove the thread from the tassel maker. Cut another length for the center and tie it once in the open space.
6. Remove your thread from the tassel maker. Wrap the center thread aroudn a few times, double knot in place, and let the loose ends fall to the bottom to soon become part of your thread tassels.
7. Tie off your top too as tightly as you can. I’m assuming that you’ll need to attach your thread tassels to something – so leave those ends hanging on top to use for that purpose.
8. Use small scissors or thread snippers to cut all the loops at the bottom of your thread tassel. Note: don’t worry if you lose a thread or two along the way and you need to pull it out. It won’t make a difference.
9. Trim your ends to clean things up.
Your thread tassels are complete!
Making small tassels with thread and wire
To make your wired-up tassels, you’ll start with steps 1-3 above and stop at the point where I start telling you to cut strings for tying things off. You can also watch the full how-to on YouTube.
1. Cut two lengths of wire a few inches each. Insert one between the front and back threads and pull it up to the top. Half-wrap one around the other just to hold it in place.
Take the other and wrap a bit at the center point of the hole.
3. Remove the whole shebang from the tassel maker. Wrap your center wire around a few times as neatly as you can.
4. Use the top one to create a simple wrapped loop by folding over one side to create a loop, wrapping the other around it, and then wrapping the tail of your looped wire once as well. Trim all loose ends, and use pliers to poke everything in.
5. Now cut the loops at the bottom of your thread tassels and trim to even things out.
Got a preferred method for making thread tassels? Comment below!
How to make tassels from thread
Learn how to make two types of small thread tassels the easy way - and how to make them perfectly sized! These are perfect for your jewelry making crafts.
Materials
- Wood tassel maker
- Thread
- Thread snippers
- Optional: wire
- Optional: Jewelry pliers if working with wire
- A binder clip or small clamp for thread-only
Instructions
All-Thread Tassles:
1. Wrap in the center of your tassel maker. Hold it with one hand, holding the end of the thread against the tassel maker (even if you thread it through the hole) and wrap with the other.
2. Wrap your thread around about 100 times or until you are satisfied with the thickness.
3. Remove the thread from the skein.
4. Cut a length of thread to tie off the top. Thread it through the slit in the tassel maker and pull it up to the top, so that it lays beneath the wrapped threads.
5. Clip the thread in place, as it'll be easier to tie off after you remove the thread from the tassel maker. Cut another length for the center and tie it once in the open space.
6. Remove your thread from the tassel maker. Wrap the center thread aroudn a few times, double knot in place, and let the loose ends fall to the bottom to soon become part of your thread tassels.
7. Tie off your top too as tightly as you can. Assuming you'll need to attach your thread tassels to something, leave those ends hanging on top to use for that purpose.
8. Use small scissors or thread snippers to cut all the loops at the bottom of your thread tassel.
9. Trim your ends to clean things up.
Making small tassels with thread and wire
To make your wired-up tassels, you'll start with steps 1-3 above and stop at the point where I start telling you to cut strings for tying things off.
1. Cut two lengths of wire a few inches each. Insert one between the front and back threads and pull it up to the top. Half-wrap one around the other just to hold it in place. Take the other and wrap a bit at the center point of the hole.
3. Remove the whole shebang from the tassel maker. Wrap your center wire around a few times as neatly as you can.
4. Use the top one to create a simple wrapped loop by folding over one side to create a loop, wrapping the other around it, and then wrapping the tail of your looped wire once as well. Trim all loose ends, and use pliers to poke everything in.
5. Now cut the loops at the bottom of your thread tassels and trim to even things out.
