ISBN 1-86373-122-6, Softcover, 142 pages, Allen & Unwin Pty Ltd, 9 Atchison Street, St. Leonards NSW 2065 , Australia, phone 61 2-9901-4088, fax 61-2-9906-2218, email 100252.103@compuserve.com

Review copy courtesy of Helby Import Company, 1501 South Park Avenue Linden, N.J. 07036, phone 908-474-1000, fax 908-474-2100 and email helbyman@aol.com for wholesale orders from qualified resellers.

Dickens relates fascination with tassels over the years and states the patterns include intricate to the very easy. The History of Tassels is three pages of historical information and closes with the contemporary tassels of today. Designs, colors, proportions, constructions and movement of the tassels are explained.

Elements of a Basic Tassel is a fun chapter, it is like being a kid and matching up pieces of a puzzle the easy way. On page 41 is a complete tassel illustration. Pages 9 through 40 are cut into three horizontal pieces. The top third is the tassel loop called the "suspension cord," the middle third is the "head" and the joining piece to the tassel skirt is a "ruff," and the bottom third is the loose dangle portion called the "skirt." You can pull pages 9 through 20 of the top third forward and use the suspension loop on page 21, the head and ruff on page 9, and pull the bottom third pages forward to page 13 for the skirt portion of the tassel. There are more possible combinations than I would ever have time to make. If you look at the top left third portion of the previous page 20, you will see a complete description of the suspension loop and what page has the instructions to make it. All three sections are set up this way, you just pick your combination, note the pages for each part and you are ready to make the tassel of your choice. Next is Equipment which includes forms for the tassel head and other necessary supplies to make the projects. There is an illustration on page 44 to make a warping and cord-making board and how to transfer the warped thread to a cylinder.

Thread explains managing thread, types of thread, knitting yarns, tapestry wools, cord, gimp, fringing and a breakdown of fibers used for eight of the projects. Page 51 begins with directions for The Head of the tassel. To the left is a large color image of an exquisite tassel with a close-up of the head section. This chapter describes how to cover the head by gluing, wrapping, using thread and step-by-step illustrations are included. Page 54 has an illustration of needle weaving through the head portion for added decoration.

Basic Straight Skirts describes the knotted skirt and using unwarped threads, making a template, putting the threads onto the template, and various knotting techniques. The Sewn Skirt (the book method) offers another way to make the skirt and wire skirt attachment is explained along with several illustrations. Embellished Skirts entice you with with various methods to make that will then be added to the larger tassels.You can make velvet puff balls, petite pompoms and multiple pompoms on a cord.

All-in-one Tassels offer very easy instructions to make the tassel in one piece starting with the suspension cord. The finishing can be simple to elaborate. The Suspension Cord describes various methods to make them. This chapter includes combining contrasting cords, combining bullion twisted cords with segments of rope, rope with silk ribbon cover, rope made with spun thread cover, and twisting. Hand twisting and card-winding/electric beater method are described along with illustrations.

Role from Warped Threads with Spiral Contrast brings us delightful combinations and ideas to add to the tassels. Decorative knots and beads are enticing highlights to the tassels. Assembling the Tassel explains ways to attach the pieces together including ruffs made on a small U-shaped wire.like a hairpin lace wire. Stitches and Embellishments offer a myriad of techniques such as braiding, bead stitches, bullion knots, covered wire flowers, fimo-covered head, French knots, medallions, button stitches and knotted netting. How Much Thread do I Need includes extensive formulas for figuring a variety of fibers for the techniques. Shopping Guide has addresses of tassel and thread suppliers throughout the world.

The Art of Tassel Making has everything you need to make beautiful tassels with easy to follow instructions. Do not let any of the titles or names of techniques scare you away from this book; step-by-step illustrations and instructions accompany each technique. Beginners should be able to follow the directions and a sewing machine is not required. This book begins each new chapter with a full color page of a gorgeous tassel. These photographs help you plan color combinations in your tassel motifs. I can see adding this book to my group for future experiments.