Decorative Packaging

A tassel is a finishing feature in fabric decoration. The tassel is a universal ornament that is seen in varying versions in many cultures around the globe. They are used in many different ways from home decor,equine formal tack, and ceremonial uses and can vary from delicately simple to intricately elaborate.

The word “tassel” comes from the Latin “tassau” which meant a clasp (as for the neck of a garment).

Ceremonial wear

Tassels are also found on mortarboards and at the end of honor cords during university graduation ceremonies and possibly upon the shoes of the graduates at the ceremony. Near the conclusion of the graduation ceremony the tassel that hangs from the graduate’s mortarboard is moved from the right to the left. Typically the entire graduating class does this in unison.

History and use 

In the Western World tassels were originally a series of windings of thread or string around a suspending string until the desired curvature was attained. Decades later, turned wooden moulds, which were either covered in simple wrappings or much more elaborate coverings called “satinings”, were used. This involved an intricate binding of bands of filament silk vertically around the mould by means of an internal “lacing” in the bore of the mould.

The French exported their very artistic work, and at such low prices that no other nation developed a mature “trimmings” industry. Tassels and their associated forms changed style throughout the years, from the small and casual of Renaissance designs, through the medium sizes and more staid designs of the Empire period, and to the Victorian Era with the largest and most elaborate. Some antique designs are returning today from the European and American artisans who may charge a thousand dollars for a single hand-made tassel.

Tassels (also called tufts) were traditionally worn by Oxford and Cambridge University undergraduates on their caps (hence a slang word – tassel for an undergraduate), those wearing gold tassels were titled sons of the peers who had a right of vote in the House of Lords.

Creation

A tassel is made by binding plaited or otherwise gathered threads from which at one end protrudes a cord on which the tassel is hung, and which may have loose, dangling threads at the other end. Tassels are normally decorative elements, and as such one often finds them attached, usually along the bottom hem, to garments, curtains, or other hangings.

A tassel is primarily an ornament, and was at first the casual termination of a cord to prevent unraveling with a knot. Tassels, pompons, and rosettes are point ornaments; the others are linear ornaments. The parts of a tassel are basically, from top to bottom:

Making a tassel from yarn

• Suspending cord;
• Its body, which is usually made up of one or more moulds;
• A skirt of fringe or other ornaments.

Many of the items you may need to create your own version of this idea can be found on our website by clicking on the link in my post.

Photo Bookmark with Tassel #2

There are  lots of colors  and sizes to choose from. This is a different variation of the photo bookmark in a previous post.  Our school picture company offers different packages with extra options such as bookmarks.  I love using photo bookmarks in my bible especially. 

I punched a hole in the bottom of this bookmark to add the tassel.  The tassel helps the bookmark not to slide out.  I would have preferred putting it at the top so it would hang out the top of my bible but I didn’t want to punch a hole in the picture part.

These make great gifts too.  Many family and friends enjoy wallet photos of your kids.  Using this type of picture makes it extra special and useful because it won’t just hide in their wallet or purse.  

Bookmarks can easily be slipped into a greeting card and mailed with out needing extra postage.  Of course if it was an especially heavy weight, multi-layered bookmark, I suggest sticking an extra stamp on just to be safe.

Many of the items you may need to create your own version of this idea can be found on our website by clicking on the link in my post.   

Valentines Day Bookmarks

Some room mothers put candy and pencils and various other little goodies in treat bags for the school Valentines Day party for each student. These would be a great addition to those bags.  This could also be a quick craft to do in the party. There is usually time for a few games and refreshment time so just omit a game and try this.

Cut a 5″x2″ strip from red construction paper.

Cut white or pink heart shapes about 1/2″ to just under 2″ wide.

Paste or double stick tape the hearts onto the bookmark.

Bookmark Tassel

Use clear contact paper, or laminating paper, photo laminating paper to cover both sides to prolong the life of your bookmark.

Punch a hole in the center of the bookmark, about 1/2″ from the top and put red ribbon or red tassel through the hole and tie.

Many of the items you may need to create your own version of this idea can be found on our website by clicking on the link in my post.   

Picture Bookmark with a Tassel

This is one of many ways to use a handmade silk tassel.  Our school offers many extras in the school picture packages.  Not free of course but there are many ways to use them.  This little picture can be put on a key ring, or you can put a tassel in the hole provided and use it for a bookmark. 

I love to use pictures for bookmarks. As I have bible devotions and look up different scriptures, I am reminded to pray for the person that pops out of the pages.  Of course we don’t need reminded to pray for our children; it seems that from the time of conception through their whole life, prayer is a major part of parenting and always the first place to start.  By adding the tassel, it keeps the picture from falling out, and also helps you to find the picture in the book.

While many of us consider tassels primarily for use on curtains and graduation caps, they actually have an interesting and diverse history. The name tassel actually derives from “tassau,” which is Latin for clasp. Almost exclusively used for decorative purposes, some of the most unique tassels were created by the French. Creating beautiful handmade products at a marginal price, tassels from these French artisans were largely exported across the globe.

Because of the high quality and low cost, not many other nations widely developed a “trimmings” industry. Rather, they simply enjoyed the products coming out of France. In general, however, tassels went through a wide variety of changes and forms. The most simple and non-ornate versions came out of the Renaissance, while larger tassels are more often associated with the Empire period. Not surprisingly, the Victorian Era was responsible for the largest and more decorative and ornate tassels of all.

High school graduation is one of the most important times in any teenager’s life. It marks the completion of a major undertaking. We dress up, have a large ceremony, and make a big deal about the procedure because it also marks the transition, in many ways, from childhood to adulthood. All of these events are certainly noteworthy and deserve recognition. If you know somebody who is graduating this year, don’t forget to get them a commemorative gift so that person can always remember the special day.

While many people offer cash as a graduation gift (and that is certainly always appreciated), consider a slightly more unique gift this round of graduations. Purchase a commemorative graduation tassel, and the event is sure to be remembered by the graduate. Whether these tassels are hung in the graduate’s bedroom or displayed in a car, they serve as a lasting emblem of what that person accomplished. In this way, they can always be reminded of what they did and feel proud of that.

I love making arts and crafts. I even volunteered at a nearby senior center to get them interested in something that can help them fill their time. They love it when I come over because they get to chat with me about their families and friends. We actually have some budding artists in our group. In fact, the joke that we have going around is that you can teach old dogs new tricks.

Our recent projects included knitted gloves, clay art, and friendship bracelets. The oldies really loved doing them! Our next project is making bookmarks for the local library. That is why I ordered a lot of bookmark tassels for our class this month.

The French term ‘passementarie’ is now used by those who speak English to refer to the use or creation of decorative trim. A few modern-day examples include, military uniforms, designer clothing, and home decorator items. 

Tassel making is regarded as a type of passementerie.  In fact, tassels are usually considered a timeless category of decorative trim. The boundless possibilities for variety and creativity make tassels a decorative accessory that can be well-suited to any tastes.

For those of us who love the feel of different fabrics and textures, tassels have a captivating quality. Though it has been said that tassels, like many other ornaments, serve no purpose, those who enjoy creativity and craftsmanship disagree. Also, a more practical use can be identified. If you attach a tassel to a ceiling fan pull cord you can more easily grip the cord to operate the fan. You can also use tassels to tag items you don’t want to lose track of in a cluttered ’junk’ drawer.