Macrame for Home Decor

by Samantha Grenier

[annieb123]

Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Macrame for Home Decor is a tutorial crafting guide for home dec macramé by Samantha Grenier. Released 11th June 2019 by Pepperell Braiding Co. and Fox Chapel, it's 144 pages and available in paperback format.

This is an appealing and well written tutorial for learning the skills necessary to complete any of the 40 included projects. The introduction and basic tools and materials guides (~18% of the page content) cover sourcing supplies and learning the basics of macramé. The following chapters are split into project categories and include: home decor, mats and rugs, plant hangers, and decorative wall hangings.

For anyone who lived through the 70's and for whom the word macramé summons to mind 'rustic' jute plant hangers in lime green, orange, and russet brown, this book is full of completely updated and modern/neutral color schemes and projects which will look good in modern homes. It includes large projects such as chair backs and room dividers, along with smaller projects such as placemats and coasters.

The layout and typesetting are appealing and accessible. The instructions are very clearly written and easy to follow and, more importantly for visual learners, very well photographed. The weaving and knotting diagrams are well drawn and simple to follow. Of the 40 projects, probably 1/3- 1/2 of them really appealed to me and that's unusually high. These are nice projects and can be adapted to suit any decor. Each of the projects includes a difficulty level, a project time estimate, a bullet list of supplies, and step by step directions.
The end of the book includes a very short supplies resource list, and readers will also have no trouble sourcing necessary tools and gear via internet e-tailers or local crafts/hobby suppliers.

It amused me to see that although the book is well updated for modern readers, it does include an homage to 70s culture, the perennially undying macrame owl.

Four stars. There's a lot to like here.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.