Turn Ordinary into EXTRAORDINARY: Adding Embellishments to Macrame

Transform Your Macrame: How to Use Feathers, Beads, and Sequins to Stand Out

We’ve all felt that spark when diving into macrame—the joy of knotting out frustrations and turning them into something beautiful.

After carefully picking the perfect cords and materials to bring your creative vision to life, it’s time to take things up a notch.

Now, it’s all about embellishments!

Think feathers, beads, and sequins—the little details that make your project truly yours.

Macrame Embellishments

Macrame embellishments, such as feathers, sequins, and beads, are the enchanting elements that can transform your macrame creations from ordinary to extraordinary - and should be chosen with the same care and consideration you put into choosing the right cord for your project.

I love the way these delicate craft supplies bring texture, color, and personality to your projects. I want to share with you the best techniques for doing this, ensuring you can find your own style through the process.

So, let’s look at each and then see how to use them in macrame designs to add charm and character.How to Use Macrame Beads

Beads hold a special place in the art of macrame, where they serve as versatile and indispensable elements.

These tiny treasures not only add a touch of elegance but also elevate the creativity and style of macrame patterns in unique ways.

Beads add a fun twist to your macrame projects, breaking up the flow of knots and cords and drawing attention to your design. They make perfect focal points, especially when choosing suitable beads for the job!

Quick Tip: When picking beads, pay attention to the size of the bead hole compared to your cord. The bead hole is vital since it's what your cord has to fit through. For example, a bead with a 2mm hole won’t work with a 9mm cord because the hole is too small.

For cords 3mm and thicker, make sure the bead hole is at least 3mm. If your project requires threading two strands through a bead (like for a mirror hanger), you’ll need a bead with a larger hole, 5mm or 6mm, depending on the cords.

If you’re using single-strand cords, they’re usually flatter and more flexible, so you can sometimes fit them through slightly smaller holes.

Keep these little details in mind, and you'll nail your beadwork.

Bead Sizing Guidelines

Remember that the sizes mentioned here are approximate guidelines. As they are interchangeable, you can always adjust them based on your specific design preferences and the overall look you want to achieve. 

The choice of bead size in macrame projects allows for customization and personalization, ensuring each project has its unique charm and character.

This is also true when choosing the color, type, and style of bead. Metallic beads, such as gold or silver, lend a touch of glamour and sophistication, making them perfect for elevating the elegance of your macrame pieces, whether jewelry or decor.

On the other hand, wooden beads impart a rustic and natural charm, ideal for achieving a bohemian or earthy look that adds warmth and texture to your designs.

If you want to infuse an element of enchantment into your macrame creations, opal beads are an excellent choice because the sun reflects on them.

They bring a sense of mystery and magic to your projects, creating stunning and ethereal effects that can truly make your macrame work stand out.

One of our favorite Bochiknot macrame patterns where we used beads has to be the Macrame Mandala Mirror—the wooden beads enhance the knotwork in the leaf patterns they’re in!

How to Incorporate Beads in a Macrame Mandala Mirror

To demonstrate how to incorporate beads into a macrame project, we will walk through the Macrame Mandala Mirror.

For this pattern, we chose wooden beads, which paired perfectly with our natural cotton cord. We used 4mm cords and 6mm wooden beads (4mm hole size).

Together, they create the perfect combination, complementing each other well to make the mirror stand out beautifully.

Step 1:

Knot your macrame project to the point where you want to add the bead.

Step 2:

Tape the cord ends to help it slide through the bead easily, and pull the cord(s) through the bead.

Step 3:

Secure the bead in place with a macrame knot and continue with your pattern.

You’ll find the macrame tutorial and step-by-step instructions on how to make this Macrame Mandala Mirror in this video: 

How to Use Macrame Sequins

Incorporating sequins into macrame projects is a delightful way to infuse your creations with glitz and glamour.

Sequins are shiny, lightweight, and available in a wide array of sizes, making them ideal for adding sparkle and visual intrigue to macrame pieces.

Sequins come in all the different colors you can imagine and change as they catch and reflect light, creating a mesmerizing play of glimmer and gleam—especially in the sun or bright lights!

Sequins are great for creating holiday ornaments or party decor—like beautiful wall hangings—because they can mimic the twinkling of stars or the shimmer of freshly fallen snow.

I personally love the contemporary twist sequins offer to traditional macrame. They allow you to add a sense of modernity and chic to your designs.

Sequins in macrame give you the creative freedom to explore different patterns, arrangements, and combinations.

This makes them particularly special when you start changing existing designs and making them your own.

One of our favorite macrame projects, where we included sequins, is our Macrame Sequins and Weave Wall Hanging - another excellent example of how you can incorporate beads and pieces of cord into your macrame work.

You’ll find the full macrame tutorial and step-by-step instructions on how to make this Macrame Sequins and Weave Wall Hanging here:

As I mentioned, sequins can be used to add a touch of flair to a traditional macrame piece, and in this pattern, I decided to do just that.

Drawing inspiration from Moroccan tapestries, I designed this weave patterned wall hanging with textures in mind, hence the addition of sequins.

Step 1:

Knot your macrame project to the point where you want to add the sequins.

Step 2:

Add a cord (in this case a 50cm cord) where you intend to add your sequins.

Step 3:

Thread your sequin onto the macrame cord.

Step 4:

Weave the cord through the next knot.

Step 5:

Add the next sequin.

Step 6:

Repeat Step 4-5 until you have reached the end of your row.

How to Use Macrame Feathers

Incorporating feathers into your macrame projects introduces a captivating element of nature-inspired design that can elevate your creations.

Faux feathers have a unique ability to infuse a sense of lightness, movement, and organic beauty into your macrame pieces, making them an excellent addition to your toolkit.

Feathers can also be made with macrame cords, but for the purpose of this article, we will be discussing the addition of pre-made faux feathers.

One of the most popular applications of feathers in macrame is in creating dreamcatchers.

Feathers are a key component in the traditional design of these protective charms. They are believed to filter and capture negative energy while allowing positive dreams to pass through.

The choice of natural or dyed feathers can enhance the symbolism and overall aesthetic of your dreamcatcher, creating a visually appealing and meaningful piece of art.

Beyond dreamcatchers, feathers can adorn wall hangings, jewelry, and other macrame creations.

Their graceful form and soft texture contrast the rigidity of knots and cords, adding a touch of elegance and movement to your designs.

Whether you opt for natural feathers or opt for vibrant, dyed options, they allow for endless creativity, enabling you to craft macrame pieces that are not only visually captivating but also profoundly symbolic and infused with a sense of connection to nature.

One of my favorite macrame projects in which we used feathers has to be this 3D Flower Macrame Dreamcatcher!

Flower Macrame Dreamcatcher

Often, embellishments are seen as something you add to projects when you think they need a little something,’ but you don’t know how to add more knots or what else to do to make the piece stand out—and this is not the case.

Macrame is a beautiful art, and embellishments add to that - which is why I want to share this pattern with you - I’ve used it to teach macrame artists a new floral knotting technique and added the feather to enhance the pattern - not because the pattern needed something extra to stand out.

Step 1:

Knot your macrame project to the point where you want to add the feathers.

Step 2:

Attach a feather onto a strand of cord using a strand of string to make a Gathering knot.

Step 3:

Repeat Step 2 until all your feathers have been attached.

You’ll find the macrame tutorial and step-by-step instructions on how to make this by clicking here: Floral Dreamcatcher

Now that you know what to use and how to use these - here are some of the benefits of adding these embellishments to your macrame projects:

• Enhanced Aesthetic Appeal: Beads, sequins, and feathers can instantly enhance the visual appeal of your macrame pieces. They provide a pop of color, sparkle, or an organic element that can make your project stand out and become eye-catching.
• Textural Variety: These embellishments introduce different textures to your macramework, creating an engaging tactile experience. This texture can make your pieces more enjoyable to touch and interact with - especially for children, as seen in this video pattern tutorial.
• Customization: Beads, sequins, and feathers come in various shapes, sizes, and materials, allowing you to customize your macrame projects past what you’re taught in a tutorial or what you see in a pattern.
• Personalization: Adding embellishments lets you infuse your personality into beautiful macrame decorations. You can choose beads, sequins, or feathers with special meaning or significance, making your projects more personal and meaningful.
• Versatility: Beads, in particular, are incredibly versatile. You can use them to create patterns, accents, or even functional elements like clasps for jewelry pieces. Sequins can add a touch of glamour, while feathers are perfect for dreamcatchers and other nature-inspired designs.
• Balance and Contrast: Beads, sequins, and feathers can help you achieve balance and contrast in your macrame pieces. They can be strategically placed to break up large sections of knots, creating visual interest and preventing your design from looking too monotonous.
• Marketability: If you're considering selling your macrame creations, embellishments can make your items more marketable. They can set your pieces apart and attract potential buyers who appreciate the added detail and uniqueness.
• Thematic and Seasonal Designs: Beads, sequins, and feathers can be used to create thematic or seasonal designs. For example, you can use metallic beads for a festive macrame ornament or incorporate feathers in earthy tones for a fall-inspired piece.

Adding beads, sequins, and feathers to your beginner macrame projects is a great way to boost your creativity and make your designs stand out.

As a beginner, following patterns is the best way to learn.

But as you get better, you'll want to make your projects more unique and personal by adding your own style and flair.

It’s Time to Start Getting Knotty…

Macrame is a fun and creative art form with endless possibilities.

You can choose the natural look of wooden beads, the sparkle of metallic sequins, or the organic feel of feathers—the only limit is your imagination.

As you explore different materials and embellishments, remember that macrame is all about blending traditional techniques with your own unique style.

You might create intricate jewelry, dreamy wall hangings with feathers, or festive decor with sequins—each project becomes a canvas for your creativity.

Every knot you tie and every bead you add is a step in your creative journey.

So, embrace the chance to experiment, learn, and grow as an artist, and let your macrame pieces tell your story—one knot at a time.

Happy knotting!