Macrame Feather DIY
I love how chic and beautiful these macrame feathers are. They look super complicated, but I promise that they’re actually SO EASY to make! These DIY feathers are a great way to use up leftover cord from a larger macrame project, but they’re also the perfect craft for beginners. They use only one knot and basic macrame supplies (scissors, tape measure, comb), and they come together quickly. Macrame feathers are the perfect addition to a dreamcatcher, but they also look great as part of a wall hanging or mobile. And why not mount them on the wall in a shadow box? Or create smaller feathers to use for a keychain or earrings. The possibilities are endless!
Check out our Macrame Feather video tutorial:
*Note: Scroll down for the step-by-step photo tutorial.
Macrame Rainbow Easy Macrame Heart Macrame Earrings DIY Macrame Bracelet
Here’s what you’ll need:
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Macrame cord Fabric scissors Tape measure Scotch tape Comb or wire pet brush
What is macrame?
Macrame is a crafting technique that is formed by knotting cord, rather than by knitting or weaving. It was a popular form of art in the 1970s. Macrame wall hangings and plant hangers were found everywhere! This textile art has come back into popularity recently, especially amongst those who enjoy a bohemian aesthetic or minimalistic, natural decor.
What kind of cord should I use?
The pink and orange feathers seen in our photos are made with a 2mm, 3 ply “rope”. The natural coloured cord in our photos is 3mm. When making a macrame feather the cord weight will determine how big the center “spine” of the feather is. In other words, the 2 mm cord creates thinner center knots, while a 5 mm cord would be much thicker. You can even see the difference between the 2 mm and 3 mm cord in the picture below.
Do I need fabric scissors?
Technically no, however I definitely recommend using fabric scissors for all macrame projects. Fabric scissors, or sewing shears, are sharper than regular scissors, and are meant to cut through thick material, like macrame cord. Your macrame project will go a lot smoother if you have sharp scissors to make the precise cuts you need.
How can I stiffen the feathers?
You might notice that your macrame feathers are very soft. If you want to hang the feathers, the cord tends to go limp and lose its shape unless you add something to keep the cord stiff. Aleene’s Stiffen Quik fabric stiffening spray is one of the most recommended products to help with this issue. Following the instructions on the bottle, simply spray one side, let it dry, and then spray the other side. You can also use a spray starch or even hairspray to give the feather some stiffness. Another option is to glue the feather to a felt backing. This works better if the feather will be flat against a wall, like on a wall hanging, where you only see one side of it.
These macrame feathers are so relaxing to make! The knots are simple, and combing out the cords is super satisfying. Cut out a template for your feather, or trim each one into a unique shape!
Here’s even more easy macrame ideas:
Macrame Keychain
DIY Macrame Dream Catcher
Macrame Earrings
Macrame Bracelet
Our book Low-Mess Crafts for Kids is loaded with 72 fun and simple craft ideas for kids! The projects are fun, easy and most importantly low-mess, so the clean up is simple!
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