Stiffened Macrame Leaf

SUPPLIES & TOOLS:

• Pet brush
• Hair comb
• Sharp fabric scissors
• Clipboard
• Measuring tape
• Aleene’s Stiffen-Quik
• Rotary cutter
• Self-healing mat
• Paper
• 4mm single twist cotton rope: 1 piece at 25", 24 pieces at 10", 6 pieces at 9"

DIRECTIONS:

1. Fold spine rope in half. Tie a simple knot at the top (loop bottom of the rope through top pull to tighten.) Leave a 1 1/2" loop at the top. Attach spine to clipboard.
2. Fold 10" rope in half and place underneath spine.
3. Use a reverse lark’s head knot by taking the end of the rope and pulling through.
4. Tighten and push toward top knot.
5. Repeat process alternating sides
6. Continue to attach and tighten ropes toward top of leaf. Once all 10" ropes are attached, attach remaining six 9" ropes. Leave approx 3" of the spine at the bottom.
7. Flatten ropes out and use scissors to do a rough cut in the shape of your leaf. Use a pet brush to comb out the rope including the spine. Flip leaf over and brush out the back.
8. Transfer leaf to self healing mat. Use rotary cutter to shape leaf. Flip over and use rotary again to trim excess
9. Place paper underneath to protect surface. Grab your Aleene’s Stiffen-Quik.
10. Spray Stiffen-Quik from 6" away until the rope is damp. (Cotton rope will twist when wet, this is normal.)
11. Using your hair comb, brush out rope and re-shape leaf. Flip leaf over and re-apply Aleene’s Stiffen-Quik generously. Use your hair comb and brush fibers again.
12. Let leaf dry for one hour. Check for stiffness. Re-apply Aleene’s Stiffen-Quik to front and back of leaf. Brush and shape. Let dry for one more hour. Re-apply as necessary for desired stiffness.
13. Once completely dry, hang leaf on the wall using a simple nail or wooden thumbtack.