I know, I know…you are wondering what the heck that screwdriver is doing in there! Read on…

Baste the tassel (optional) at the bottom center of the back piece. Make sure that the tassel is facing toward the inside of the piece. It will hang down from the needlebook once the needlebook has been stitched and turned right side out.

When I baste the tassel in place, I baste the tassel loop along the center line chalk mark that I made at the center of the back, so that the loop is basted securely within the entire seam allowance. This helps to keep the tassel from getting skewed during the sewing process. If you feel more comfortable basting the tassel even past the line of stitching and then removing the basting later on, that is perfectly fine, and a good tip for beginners who may have trouble controlling the tassel during the stitching process.

Other reasons for making sure that there is enough tassel loop between the line of stitching and the tassel are:

The presser foot on your sewing machine needs to pass easily along the line of stitching Some machines have a screw for attaching the foot on the left side of the presser bar that does not allow for a large amount of bulk to pass through. If the top of your tassel is very large, you may find yourself getting "stuck" as you reach the point where the tassel is attached. You can, if you choose, sew from both outer sides of the back toward the center, and then sew the center section by hand.

Another reason to have enough loop between the top of the tassel and the needlebook, is to ensure that the tassel swings freely from the bottom of your needlebook. The last thing you want is for your tassel to be "stuck" and stick out like an appendage.