If you need a modern and elegant look but still want to make an embellished statement, leather tassels are your friend. They look great attached to bags and purses.
You need to find very soft material to make these leather tassels – you can use leather or faux leather for these. But genuine leather is better able to handle wear and tear than faux leather. I made a keychain tassel with a faux leather scrap piece, but the constant use is killing it.
How to make the leather or faux-leather tassel
Step 1. Cut out the leather pieces.
You need to cut out two pieces of the material to make this tassel. One for the loop and the other for the fringes. And a piece to wrap around the top for a neat look.
Cut out one rectangle of size 10 inches by 4 inches for a bigger tassel or 4 inches by 2 inches for a medium one and one rectangle of 2 inches by 1/4 inch.
Cut out the pieces as follows, or as you like it. You also need to cut a 3/4 inch wide and 2 inch long piece as a cover over the tassel (Optional) and a strip of 1/4 inch wide and 3 inches long as the loop for the tassel.
Make lines starting from one side spaced 1/8 inch, and ending 1/2 inch from the top. Cut out these lines carefully with scissors; you have a leather fringe in your hand.
Step 2. Attach the ends of the smaller strip together to make the loop.
Step 3. Start rolling the cut leather strip tightly from one end to the other. Apply glue in between and also ensure that the fringes are evenly spread out.
If you’re using a leather strip as a cap, wrap it around the top of the tassel and glue it in place. Use binder clips to keep them together till the glue dries off.
If you are using a tassel cap, insert the rolled top of the tassel into the cap. You might need to add a bit of glue to secure it.
Here is another easy leather tassel.
Just 2 strips of leather folded and inserted through a ring.
Use wooden bead on top of the tassel for a rustic charm. You can use a tassel cap, the kind you use for beaded tassels for a more festive look.
Attach the tassel to a key ring, lobster clasp, or any other accessory hardware. You can use your newly made leather tassels on all accessories like handbags, keychains, home decor, or shoes.
Related posts: Tassel making tutorial ; How to make fringe trims ; Different types of leather ; Different types of faux leather ; Tools for sewing leather
