How To Make a Ribbon Key Tassel

While I am still working on the creative wall in my studioffice this week, I thought I would show you a little detail that I made for the armoire in the room. It is a ribbon tassel for the key that I need to open and close the doors.  It is so old-fashioned – I love that part of it. I only have one key and can’t lose it.   I have always tied something onto this key so if I do lay it down someplace beside the keyhole, it is easy to spot.  I made this one using ribbon, scraps of pom-pom trim, embroidery floss, a bead, and some buttons.

Since my new color scheme in the room is more pink and green, I am replacing the purple tassel that used to hang from the key. I love this little tassel and will add it to a key on my bedroom desk. It easy to make as it is nothing more than a 6-inch piece of two-tone purple trim rolled up and hot glued around a twisted cord.  I clipped a vintage clip-on earring to the top for extra embellishment.

Supplies Needed

1. Hold the ends of the 3 ribbons together and wrap around the cardboard.  Leave  and cut about 12-inches of ribbon to tie the tassel together.

2.  Wedge the 12” pieces of ribbon under the wound ribbon at the top of the cardboard and tie into a tight and secure knot.

3.  Cut the bottom loops open. If you like looped tassels – skip this step.

4.  It will look like this. Flip the knot to the underside of the tassel.

5.  Use embroidery floss to tightly wind the top of the tassel together. Tie ends into a  knot.

How To Make Twisted Cord

1.  Cut 3 colors of embroidery floss to 18-inches, knot one end together and tack onto a board.  Begin twisting the opposite end of the floss in the same direction until the entire length is twisted. Make sure to give it a few extra twists.

2.  To get it to twist back onto itself to make twisted cord, place a finger at the halfway mark on the twisted floss, and then fold the bottom length over the top.  The twisted floss will automatically wind up on itself. If you don’t like how it twisted –pull the bottom back – re-twist a bit and then let it go again.   I had to do this a few times until I liked how it twisted.  You can use your fingers to coax it into shape.

3. Once you make your cord, tape the ends tightly with tape and cut tape into points. This will make it easier to thread through the bead and button.  Thread both ends through the bead and buttons.

4.  If your button holes are small – use a pair of wire cutters to make the two holes into one. I placed the tips of the wire cutters into each hole and kept squeezing them closed. I repeated the process on the back side of the button until I had one large hole. It only took a few seconds since it was a plastic button.

5.  Thread one end through tassel top.  Use the pointy end of scissors, an awl, or pliers to help you push it through.

5. Tie ends into a knot and push the knot into the tassel body.

6. Move the bead and buttons down the cord so they sit on top of the tassel.

7.  Tightly wind the pom pom trim around the top of the tassel and use a thin dab of hot glue to secure. Repeat process with other colors of trim.  Just remember to wrap tightly and use a thin dab of glue – you don’t want to add too much bulk.  I added 3 layers of color trim. This made the top of my tassel wider than the pink button that was at the top.  I didn’t like the way it looked so I took the tassel apart and added another larger button. You will see it in the completed tassel photos.

Trim the bottom of the ribbon evenly across with a pair of scissors.

All done.

Sharing With:

Between Naps on The Porch   The Girl Creative   C.R.A.F.T.   My Un Common Slice of Suburbia   Home Stories from A-Z   Tip Junkie    Today’s Creative Blog  Burlap and Denim    Finding Fabulous   Funky Junk Interiors   Tatertots and Jello      Addicted 2 Decorating    Decorating on a Shoestring   The Shabby Nest  Under the Table and Dreaming  The DIY Showoff  Centsational Girl

Subscribe & Connect With Me

Tagged as: Decorative crafts, DIY Decorating Ideas, Tassel tutorial, Tassels