Step One

Gather your beautiful supplies.

Cut from your cotton fabric:

1. 1 Piece 16″ x 16″ for the pillow front
2. 1 piece 17″(across) x 16″ for the pillow back (if your fabric is directional, be sure the image displays properly)

Grab the 17″ x 16″ and fold it such that the 16″ ends meet each other.  Cut along the fold to create two pieces that will now be 16″x 8.5″.

Set these pieces aside.

Step Two

Let’s make some tassels!

Begin by cutting two strips of embroidery floss that are approximately 9″ and 10″ long.

Next cut a piece of cardboard at 2.5″ x 3.75″ and wind the remaining embroidery floss along the longest width.

Step Three

Wind until you have used up all the floss and then slip your wound floss off the cardboard.

Step Four

Place the center of your wound floss in the middle of the 10″ long strip of embroidery floss and tie tightly, you will probably want to double know.

Step Five

Fold both ends of the floss over the knot and place the “head” along the other strip of embroidery floss.

Tie that in place.  Again, use a double knot.

Step Six

Cut all loops and cut all threads straight.  Tip: If you press it flat and flared a bit with your fingers, it can be easier to cut it straight.

You finished your awesome tassels!

Step Seven

Thread the top tassel thread through your embroidery needle.

Step Eight

Push needle through the center of the felt wool ball.

Step Nine

Repeat for the remaining three tassels. Be sure to admire your cute, fancified tassels!

Set these aside.

Step Ten

Next, let’s put the zipper in the pillow back.  We going to use a pretty standard, simple method to do this but if you don’t like zippers feel free to use an envelope or button method!

Begin by placing the two back pieces right sides together. Sew along one long side with a standard stitch length for 1″, switch to a basting stitch for 14″ and then finish the final inch with a standard stitch length.

Press the seams open.

Facing the wrong side of the pillow back, tape down the zipper with the front of the zipper facing the seams you just pressed. YOU SHOULD NOT BE LOOKING AT THE ZIPPER TAB.

Step Eleven

Switch your machine to a zipper foot and sew along both sides of the zipper.

Stitch across the top and bottom of the zipper, as well.

Turn to the right side and use a seam ripper to take out the original basting stitches, revealing the zipper.

Open the zipper at least 3/4 of the way.

Step Twelve

Place pillow back and pillow front fabric right sides together.

Place pins in one 1/2″ from each corner along all four sides.  Stitch at 3/8″ seam allowance between the pins, leaving the corners open.

Step Thirteen

Reaching into the inside of the pillow, place a tassel tie in the corner and pull the thread tie through the corner hold.  You may need to use a chopstick or small pair of scissors to help you get the thread through.

Step Fourteen

Pull the thread tie so the tassel is as close to the edge as possible.

Using your zipper foot, stitch a diagonal line across the corner.  Stitch a few extra lines, as well, just to ensure it holds in place.

Step Fifteen

Turn the pillow right sides out and insert the pillow form.

Admire your Bohemian Tassel Pillow!