Macramé Covered Clothes Hanger

Updated 3/2017-- all links removed as many are no longer active and it was easier than checking each one.

Almost two weeks ago my friend Jabulani tweeted a photo of a covered hanger project she was working on. I tweeted a photo of a macramé covered hanger I had made a few years ago. As there was interest in how to do mine and as I could find no instructions online to direct folks to, I decided to try to do a show-and-tell.

The supplies you will need are a wire coat hanger, twine, two rubber bands, tape, and fabric glue. Cut approximately 6-7 yards of twine twice. [I used 10 yds and had just under 5 left on each.] To make them easier to handle and to avoid tangling, coil and secure with a rubber band.

Now that all your supplies are gathered, let’s begin.

Tape the loose ends of each twine coil to the end of the hanger hook. The ends of the twine should point towards the upsweep of the hook and will be covered with the knots. Begin tying your square knots. Note that one twine length always goes behind the wire and one in front.

This photo is meant only to show you how the knots will cover the taped ends.
In these next two photos I hope to show you how the square knot is formed, but you may find the instructions here helpful (link removed 3/2017).

The “pink” cord on the left is brought over the front of the wire. The “green” cord on the right is then brought over the “pink” cord, taken behind the wire and then come up and over the “pink” cord.

The “pink” cord is now on the right.  It is brought over the front of the wire and under the “green” cord.  The “green” cord then wraps behind the wire and up over the “pink” cord.

Those two steps are repeated until the entire wire is covered.  When you first come to the juncture of the hook and hanger body continue along either limb.  You will eventually come back to that juncture which is where you end.

When you have finished covering the entire wire with square knots, cut your twine.  Snug the twine into the juncture and using the fabric glue secure it here.  Cut off the extra twine.

You now have a nicely covered wire hanger.

A Gift from India

I didn’t make Vijay’s daughter the pink quilt expecting anything in return.  Vijay (Scanman) and his wife, however, wanted to give me a gift from their country.  This is what they chose.  It is a Tanjore metal plate, and I think it is lovely.  I am trying to decide the best place to hang it in my home.

 

Here is some information on the history of the craft:

The creation of the Tanjore metal plate is credited to Raja Serfoji II (1797-1832), the Maratha ruler of Thanjavur (or Tanjore), who asked his royal artisans to create an object that would reflect the glory of his kingdom. Silver, brass, and copper are encrusted on to each other to create this stunning piece of art. The effect of silver in high relief on the reddish copper ground is unusual and striking. Artisans of the Vishwakarma community follow this hereditary profession in Thanjavur (Tamil Nadu).

This metal plate has as its base a plate of brass prepared by a heavy-metal worker; the relief on copper is worked upon by a jeweler while the encrusting is done by a stone-setter with silver. All the three processes could even be carried out by a single craftsman also. The tools involved include hammers, pincers, moulds, punches, chisels, grinding stones and a forge.

The first stage involves cutting the base to the size of plate planned and polishing its front side. It is then fixed firmly to an asphalt bed with a wooden base which is then heated with a blow pipe and leveled so that the basic design die is prepared. The silver and copper sheets are then cut to the size, heated slightly before being cast into an impression on to the die. The impression thus achieved is finished by etching and refining the embossing with the aid of chisels and punches.

The next stage involves encrusting and superimposing the metal sheet(s). This is done by filling with wax made of brick powder, gingili oil, and frankincense the hollow depressions at the back of the relief sheet. The relief sheet is then placed on the base plate and riveted on by punching along the grooves. This is then followed by the final polishing.

Designs on the central circular metallic disc may include a representation of deities like Nataraja, Saraswati, Ashta Lakshmi and Ganapaty while the designs around the central motif can be from the pantheon of Hindu deities or floral designs. Besides plates, other products such as bowls, boxes, key chains and paper weights are made using the same technique.ns, and paper weights --- are made using the same technique. Logos and emblems of corporate houses and organizations have also been embossed.