DIY Paper Garland

I've been asked by one of my Tumblr followers to do a tutorial on how I made my tassel garland. I apologise in advance for the awful photos, it's quite hard to take good tutorial ones when you've only got two hands and a phone camera.

What you'll need:

• tissue paper (I used one packet for each colour and two packets for the silver cellophane tassles)

• a ruler

• a sharp cutting knife

• a pencil

• a skewer

• a gluestick

• some twist ties

• a long piece of twine

Step 1

Using the ruler as a guide for the knife, cut the tissue paper so that you have a singular panel, this is important so that your tassels don't get any creases in them!

Step 2

From the folded edge (very important!) of the paper measure down 5cm  and rule a line across with the pencil, this will be your guide.

Step 3

In widths of about 5-8mm slice the paper with the knife, using the ruler as a guide starting from the ruled line to the bottom of the paper. Ensure that the cut goes through all layers of the tissue paper. Repeat until cut right across.

Step 4

Separate each piece of tissue paper and then lie them flat, on top of one another. This will ensure the tassel strands do not clump together.

Step 5

Apply glue to the centre of the top layer of tissue paper and stick down a twist tie about 1/3 of the way up. Make sure there are no tassel strands caught underneath or within the middle section.

Step 6

Fold all layers of the tissue paper up to the twist tie and then roll tightly around the twist tie until you get to the end. Once rolled up straighten out both ends of the tassel so that they are no longer twisted around themselves. (Make sure there is no glue on your hands during this part otherwise you will rip all of the strands.)

Step 7

Twist the centre roll in both directions really tightly to make it secure. Try not to crumple the tassel parts during the twisting.

Step 8

Grab your skewer and use it to twist your tassel around, the twist tie will make it stay in position. Mess around with the strands until it forms one instead of two segments.

Step 9

Thread your tassel onto your twine. To secure the tassel in a particular place, thread the twine back through it. For my one I spaced each tassel about 5cm apart but you can do it to your liking!

Repeat this process for each tassel, I ended up making about 26 which span about 1.5m. If you have a really sharp blade on your knife you may be able to slick multiple tassels at a time (I could do three in a go with my knife). I'd say the most important thing is to keep your tissue paper flat and without folds, because that's what makes them look really crisp! If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask either in the comments below or through my Tumblr. - Zoe x