DIY Macrame Feather tutorial (6 different ways to use them)

A macrame feather is the perfect macrame beginner project because macrame feathers are so easy to make. They also can be used as a variety of trendy accessories. In this tutorial, I am showing you how to make a macrame feather with a video and 6 different ways to use them as a fashion or home decor accessory.

If you are new around here and like easy macrame craft projects with simple knots, then you can see my macrame garland, macrame plant hanger, macrame wreath, or macrame stone wrap tutorial on my blog as well.

Let me show you what I did to make my macrame feathers…

How to make a macrame feather

Macrame feathers are also the perfect way to use leftover yarn from other projects. Some macrame projects like my modern macrame wall hanging or macrame chandelier used a lot of cotton cord and trimming at the end of the project produced a lot of odd-sized leftover pieces. Save those leftover pieces for small projects like this. I have also used leftover yarn for my macrame earrings, fringe earrings, and boho drawer pulls using macrame yarn.

Materials needed for a macrame feather

• 4mm macrame yarn for larger macrame feathers and 3mm for smaller feathers
• pair of scissors (I like using sharp scissors for hair)
• wood beads (optional, example 1 and example 2)
• hair comb or cat brush (I love using a comb in combination with a wire pet brush, sometimes called slicker brushes)
• fabric stiffening spray or starch (optional)

If you don’t have macrame yarn, you could also use wool, rope, hemp, jute, synthetic, or any other cords laying around the house. If you use a different material, you might most likely not be able to unravel and comb it like I did at the end. It would certainly give a different look.
Another cute idea is to use different colors to create more texture and variations for each feather (I’m showing an example below).

Step-by-step tutorial

I made my first macrame feathers rather large to make a statement. If you remember, my tassels are all rather large as well. I used 4mm yarn for the large macrame feathers, and for the smaller ones, I used 3mm macrame yarn.

I started out by using a 20-inch piece of macrame cord. Fold that in half and lay it on a clean surface, as shown below. This will be the piece that creates the spine of your feather.

And you also need two pieces of yarn that are around 8 inches long and folded in half as well. This project is perfect for using all your leftover scraps from other macrame projects.

One of the shorter strands should be placed under the longer piece the way I’m showing in the below photo. You can see the entire flow in my video above.

Place the other short string on top and loop the ends through the tops. Thread the ends of each piece of macrame yarn through the loop of the opposite piece, and pull the yarn ends tight with the feather’s spine in the center. This is called a Square Knot.

Pull it all tight. You can push these knots up to where you want them and as tightly together as you want.

Then knot the bottom/end of the long string so the square knot can’t slide out of the bottom.

After that, you must keep stacking the Square Knots to achieve the desired length. You can stack them in the same direction as I did or in the opposite direction for a different look.

I made my feathers around 10 to 12 inches long.

After stacking the Square Knots, unravel the macrame yarn and comb it.

I’ve become an expert in opening and combing macrame yarn. I’ve done it so many times on a large scale, especially with my long narrow wall art using combed macrame yarn and embroidery floss.

I love doing this part while watching a Netflix show. It’s calming to me. I know…I’m odd 😉

Macrame Combing Tip: On my larger scaled projects that involve combing macrame yarn, I solely use the pet hairbrush. I still like using the comb for smaller pieces like the macrame feathers, especially when you get close to the spine, because the wire brush can tear at the center knots and make them look messy.

When you unraveled and combed the left side and right side of the macrame feather, then you should end up with something like you see below.

Now, it is time to trim the ends of the cording to create the shape of the feather. You don’t need a template for this. Every feather is unique in nature and should be slightly different. That’s the beauty of them.

You can dip the macrame feather in fabric stiffener or starch and let it dry on a flat surface which will keep the feather stiff and helps keep its shape. Another good brushing and maybe trimming is needed on the side of the feather after everything has dried.

And at the end, you can slip a wooden bead at the end of the string.

And voila, you have a pretty DIY macramé feather that you can use as an accessory.

6 ways to use DIY macrame feathers as an accessory

I love that macrame feathers are so versatile and easy to make. I’ve moved them around the house and wardrobe so many times already. Let me show you how I have used them.

Macrame Feather Purse charm

You know I like adding purse charms to my bags, and the large macrame feathers are my favorite purse accessory.

Last year I made a huge blue ombre stacked tassel. This macrame feather resembles a tassel but adds more boho charm to your outfit or home decor.

I also made a macrame leaf that is similar but has some added texture and knots, which also looks great on a purse.

By the way, I bought the dress in two colors for under $25 and love it (white with black stripes and black with white stripes). Unfortunately, I bought the dark dress for my mom (haha), and she loves it too, so I have to give it up as intended, even though I don’t want to. The bag was from Loft a couple of years ago and, unfortunately, is not available anymore.

The raffia bag is my mom’s and is perfect for the oversized macrame feather. I made the dark one for her, and she keeps it on that bag. If you want a similar one, then you can find great options on Etsy.

Macrame feather keychain accessory

In this case, it’s an old key on a wooden cabinet, but you can use it on any keyring or even a doorknob.

Macrame feather Christmas ornament

I’ve made several macrame Christmas ornaments that ended up on my boho Christmas tree. They are such a stylish and affordable option. Christmas decor can be so expensive but it doesn’t have to be.

Macrame feather wall hangings

I also like using two different but similar 3mm macrame yarn colors. As you can see below, I used the colors coffee and khaki. Another one of my favorite colors that would look good combined with the others is brick red. I have used that color for my macrame tassel keychain DIY.

Loop the main piece that creates the spine of the macrame leaf onto a stick with Lark’s Head Knots. Add as many as you want to create your macrame leaf wall hanging.

Macrame feather earrings

Macrame feather earrings are just as easy to make. Simply loop a Lark’s Head Knot onto your earring hook, as shown below. This creates the middle of the feather.

Mine are rather large macrame feather earrings, but I like big jewelry pieces. You can certainly make them a lot smaller, and if you don’t like using hooks, then you could also glue them to a studded earring like I did in my fringe earring tutorial.

Macrame feather basket decor

I love adding some macrame feathers to my basket handles for some added interest. My easy macrame garland also looks good as a basket accessory.

I think next, I will make a wall hanging with several different-sized feathers. I love the look, don’t you?