How to Macrame a Skirt
Macrame is the art of tying cords into knots. The knotted cords can be crafted into clothing, jewelry and other items. Macrame is easy once you have mastered the knots, but can take time and patience to complete. With all things vintage making a comeback, macrame is no exception. Macrame tops, skirts and shawls have all been seen on the catwalks and you can make your own to keep up with fashion trends. This short skirt can be worn by itself or over tights for a neat fall look.
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Instructions
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Cut the hemp cord to size. Cut 144 cords which are 3 yards long each.
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Cut a holding cord that is 7 to 8 yards long. Tape the holding cord to your table in a horizontal position. Tape it to the top of the table furthest from you so that you have plenty of room to work.
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Start on the left size, leaving the first 12 inches of the holding cord free. Fold each of the 3-yard cords in half. Feed the looped end under the holding cord, pass the free ends over the holding cord and through the loop. Pull down on the free ends so that the knot pulls tight under the holding cord. This is a lark's head knot.
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Starting on the left hand side, create the body of the skirt by making square knots. Use the first four cords to make your first knot. Let;s call the strand A, B, C and D (with A being the left-most cord). Pull A to the right, over B and C, and under D.
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Pull D under C and B, and over A. Pull to tighten the knot. Pull D under B and C, and over A. Your first square knot is done. Move onto the next four cords and repeat until you have knotted all the cords.
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Start at the left side again. This time, skip the first two cords and start the second row of square knots with cords 3, 4, 5 and 6. Leave the last two cords free as well. For the third row, start with the first four cords again. Leave the first two cords with alternating rows for an interesting pattern.
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Continue to knot the cords until your skirt is as long as you would like it to be. Trim the remaining cords or leave them as tassels.
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Sew the two ends of the skirt together at the back. Hemp cord has some stretch as does the skirt due to the macrame pattern. This should allow you to slip it on and walk around comfortably.
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Tips & Warnings
Measure your hips for size. Measure around the widest part of your hips. When laying out your cords and securing them with lark's head knots, secure enough cords to make a skirt that is wide enough to fit you. The number of cords listed are a general guideline;, you can add more or subtract some depending on how wide you want the skirt to be. If may be best to cut the threads as you attach them so that you don't waste any cords.
You can use cotton cord instead of hemp, but then you have to treat it with glue or wax to prevent it from unraveling.
If you want the skirt to be longer, cut the initial cords longer than 3 yards.
Add fringing is desired. Cut lengths of cord, fold in half and tie to the bottom using a lark's head knot, leave ends hanging down. Trim so that they are all of equal length.
Thread the cords with beads to add pizzazz to your macrame skirt.
References
Resources
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