tassel lanyard

1.Materials

2. Cut template from card

This template is from Fall for DIY (blog). The length of card will be length of the tassel.

3. Attach the clip with tape.

Use a D ring or a lanyard swivel hook.

4. Take leather thonging or thread, double it over, double it over again (if you have enough). This saves time threading through the template

5. Wind around the template

Take one end and thread it through the metal clip (attached to the template) and tape it to the edge of the template. Continue to wrap it around the template until you’re at the end of the thonging. Tape this end to the edge of the cardboard.

6. Cut another strip of leather thonging, about 20cm.

7. Tie around middle.

Tie this around the middle of looped leather at the cut out section of the template

8. Cut the looped thonging / thread

Using scissors cut the thonging at the end opposite where you have attached the clip. Peel off the tape and slide the tassel off the cardboard. You can cut it off the cardboard if you only want to make one. If you want to re-use, keep the template intact by sliding the tassel off.

9. Cut strip to use for wrapping around tassel.

Work out which is the front and the back of the tassel. There will be one side that tends to face out when you’re wearing it on a lanyard. Take the material you are using to bind the middle of the tassel (fabric tape or adhesive tape). I’ve used adhesive copper tape. Cut it into a strip about 2cm wide and about 20cm long.

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10. Wrap around tassel middle

Wrap it around the middle of the tassel, covering the tie, so it overlaps at the back.

11. Use the decorative thread.Cut 50cm of each of silver and black thread. Hold them together so they are even, tie the lengths around the tassel by holding down one end with your thumb onto the back, wrapping the other around the tassel middle a few times and then tying in a knot.

12. Tie in a knot

Tuck in the ends and use a dab of glue on the knot to secure it. If you used fabric tape to wrap around the tassel, use a dab of glue on the tape to close it, then paint it with mod-podge to re-inforce the tape

13. Measure lanyard cord

Take the lanyard cord, measure and cut enough for it to sit low down on your chest when hanging straight. Thread it through the clip and tie in knot at one end.

14. Ta da! Tassels.

Clip on your keys with a metal circle clip or a new swivel hook attached to the fitted "D" ring or clasp