Step 4 of the process
Finish and fringe
The ends are secured, then trimmed or combed into fringe. Single strand cotton combs out straight, 3 ply comes out wavy and braided cord does not fringe at all.
- Fringe by cord
- single strand straight, 3 ply wavy, braided none
- To hold a shape
- fabric stiffener or hairspray
Finishing starts with securing the ends. A plant hanger ends in a gathering knot and a tassel, or in a flat base when no tassel is wanted: see finishing a plant hanger without a tassel. On a wall hanging the last row of knots holds the piece, and everything below it becomes fringe.
For combed fringe, unravel the plies of each cord, then comb gently until the fibers lie straight. Steam relaxes the kinks left by twisted cord. Trim along a line of tape for a clean edge, and use fabric stiffener or hairspray when a shape such as a feather has to hold. How to comb macrame fringe has the full sequence.
Ends that should not fray are a different matter: tape or knot them while you work, and see cord ends that keep unravelling. Natural cotton can be dyed before or after knotting, and how to dye macrame cord covers which dyes suit which fibers.
Ready to move on when: All ends are secured, the fringe is even and nothing unravels when the piece is handled.
Common mistakes at this stage
- Trimming the fringe before combing it, which leaves it uneven afterward.
- Expecting braided cord to comb out.
- Cutting the tails off before the last knot is locked.