Meri Stevens, former president of Waverly Fabrics, discusses how and where to use tassels and decorative trim.
Bullion fringe: A thick, loped fringe usually found on the bottom of sofa dust ruffles and table rounds. As this trim looks best when hanging straight down, don't use it on the sides of pillows or curtains.
Gimp: A trim attached with thread or hot glue. This trim looks best on the top and bottom of shirred fabric lampshades.
Twist cord: A trim that includes a lip, the part that is sewn into a seam. This trim works well on pillow edges.
Tie-backs: Cords with tassels attached. Tie-backs, as their name suggests, are used to tie back drapery panels.
Brush fringe: A trim on which the fringed edge is sewn with a chain-stitch. After the fringe is sewn onto a pillow, sofa or chair cushion, the chain is unraveled to release the thick fringe.
Tassel fringe: A trim consisting of small hanging tassels. Stitched or fused either horizontally or vertically, they add movement to draperies and pillows.
- Use chair tassels to replace the ties attached to the corners of purchased chair pads, or add them to the corners of decorative pillows.
- Key tassels look beautiful hanging from the handles of an armoire or from a door key.
- Cut and tie an inexpensive braid to make expensive-looking tassels.
- Use a braid trim on pillow edges to add a rich look.
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