PROJECTS: MACRAMÉ CURTAIN. craftzine.com/04/macramecurtain MODERN MACRAMÉ CURTAIN. By Cathi Milligan. Craft: Volume 04

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1 PROJECTS: MACRAMÉ CURTAIN MODERN MACRAMÉ CURTAIN By Cathi Milligan 80 Craft: Volume 04 craftzine.com/04/macramecurtain

2 GET KNOTTY WITH SUEDE AND BEADS. Photograph by Carrie Hannegan; illustrations by Tim Lillis Macramé, the art of decorating with knots, can be traced back to the 13th century, when it was created by Arabs. Excess thread was knotted along the edges of fabric to create fringe and decoration. Through conquest and trade, the craft of macramé worked its way around the world. But what most people think of when they hear the word macramé are those plant holders made out of jute from the 70s. Macramé is so much more than that! There s jewelry and belts and curtains, and yes, even plant holders. This project uses simple knots, supple suede lace, and sparkling beads to create a very modern macramé beaded curtain that will make any doorway or window fabulous!» On The Brady Bunch episode A Room at the Top (1973), Greg Brady finally gets his own room in the attic. Greg transforms it into a 70s-style bachelor pad, complete with beaded doorway.» Cavandoli macramé creates geometric patterns through techniques similar to weaving.» North American sailors long ago used to spend many hours using macramé to make netting, screens, and fringes for wheels and bell covers during long months at sea. Cathi Milligan is an L.A.-based crafter who dabbles in many mediums, including glass bead-making and macramé. She s been seen on DIY Network s Jewelry Making and Craft Lab demonstrating some of her fine crafts. beadbrains.com Craft: 81

3 PROJECTS: MACRAMÉ CURTAIN craftzine.com/04/macramecurtain WHAT YOU LL NEED A B C D E F G H TO MAKE THE 3' 6' MACRAMÉ CURTAIN TO BUILD A 3' 6' MACRAMÉ BOARD (OPTIONAL) [A] A 3' 6' macramé board or a large table [B] Curtain rod [C] Masking tape [D] Small glass jar [E] Scissors [F] Card stock for bobbins [G] Suede lace 400 yds [H] Beads ( ) of varied size, shape, and color I used glass beads, but any beads will work. NOTE: The hole in the bead must be big enough to accommodate 2 or 4 strands of the suede. [NOT SHOWN] Finials (optional) if you are making your own curtain rod Epoxy (optional) to attach finials ½" plywood, 4' 8' sheet You ll cut two 3' 3' pieces for the macramé board, then use the leftover pieces (1' 6' and 2' 4') to make a stand for the board. Saw Hammer and nails Wood filler Sandpaper Primer and paint Paintbrushes/rollers Paper rulers (8) trimmed to fit Double-sided tape Clear acrylic paint Clear varnish spray Pencil Piano hinge with screws Vinyl-coated hooks (2) to hold curtain rod Hacksaw or handheld rotary power tool with cut-off blade such as a Dremel Power screwdriver Photograph by Sam Murphy 82 Craft: Volume 04

4 START KNOT A SUEDE MACRAMÉ CURTAIN Time: 2 3 Weeks Complexity: Easy 1. MAKE YOUR MACRAMÉ BOARD (OPTIONAL) Most macramé projects are done on 12" 18" boards made of a soft particleboard, but this project requires a larger board, 3' 6', made of plywood. You can also do this project on a large table, but the macramé board lets you see how everything is hanging. If you choose to use a table, go to Step 2. 1a. Cut two 3' 3' pieces of plywood, and fill the crevices with wood filler. Sand the board twice before priming the surface. Two coats of primer are sufficient, and then 2 coats of paint. Good attention to the board now will prevent your suede from snagging when you re working. 1b. On one side of each board, attach paper rulers to all 4 edges with double-sided tape, and seal with clear acrylic paint. Draw a grid with a pencil in 1" increments, then seal with clear spray. The grid assists quite a bit in measuring the spaces between knots. 1c. Connect the 2 boards with a piano hinge that has been cut down to size. A hand power tool with cut-off blades works well; you can also use a hacksaw. Wear eye protection. Screw in vinylcoated hooks at the top 2 corners to hold the curtain rod. Photography by Cathi Milligan 1d. Use the leftover plywood to make a stand for the board. Trim the 1' 6' piece to make an upright measuring 54" tall, 11½" wide at the bottom, and 9" wide at the top, tapering on just one side. This creates a slight angle that allows the board to lean back while hanging on the stand. Attach the upright to a 1' 1' base, cut from the remaining scrap. Sandwich 2 wood strips around the bottom of the upright (mine measured 1½" 11½" ½"), then drive nails through them all to attach the base securely. Hold the macramé board against the upright at the height that you ll want to work. Where the top of the upright meets the board, nail 3 small pieces of wood in an upside-down U shape as shown, so the board can be slipped onto the stand and hang there. I put hand weights on the base behind the board to hold everything in place Craft: 83

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