Cutting and knotting an old tee is one of the first fabric projects I'd hand anyone who wants to customize clothes, because jersey forgives a lot. You need a cotton shirt, chalk, a ruler, sharp scissors and an afternoon. The twenty projects below run from a plain knotted fringe to halters, diamond-shaped panels, beaded hems and open backs, and each one comes with the bottoms I'd actually wear it with. The single habit that separates a neat result from a messy one is planning: mark every strip before you cut, and knot a test pair before you commit to a whole row.
Which Old Tees Make Good Cord
The shirt matters more than the pattern. Jersey cut across the grain curls into a soft round cord when you stretch it, and that cord is what makes knots look like macrame rather than shredded fabric. Cotton jersey does this best. A tee with some polyester or rayon in it still works, though the strips tend to stay flatter.
- Good: mid-weight 100% cotton or cotton-rich jersey, prewashed so it won't shrink after you've knotted it.
- Tricky: very thin tees, which stretch out around cutouts, and rib knits, whose strips curl unevenly.
- Skip: woven shirts. Poplin and chambray fray instead of curling, so cut strips unravel.
- Check for side seams. A tube-knit tee with no side seams gives you an unbroken run of strips; a seamed tee means planning around a lump at each side.
I always cut one test strip from the hem allowance first, then stretch it and knot it. If it rolls nicely and the knot sits snug, the rest of the shirt will behave the same way.
The Square Knot, Strand by Strand
Almost every project here uses one knot. Work with four strips: the two in the middle are fillers that hang straight, and the two outside strips do the tying.
- Cross the left strip over the two fillers, leaving a loop on the left.
- Lay the right strip over the tail of the left one, take it under the fillers, and bring it up through the left loop.
- Pull both outer strips evenly so the half knot slides up to where you want it.
- Repeat with the sides reversed: right strip over the fillers, left strip over it, under, and up through the right loop. Two halves make one flat square knot.
- For the staggered net, take two strips from one knot and two from the knot beside it, and tie a new square knot a little lower.
If you only repeat the first half and never reverse, the knots twist into a spiral. That looks good on a single cord but wrong in a net, so if your row starts corkscrewing, that's the reason.
1. Macrame Fringe Crop Top With Denim Shorts
This is the project I start beginners on. Take an oversized cotton tee, mark your waistline, and cut narrow vertical strips below it, keeping them the same width. Gather them in fours, tie a row of square knots, then stagger the next row so the knots form a net. Leave a few inches hanging for movement. Because the neckline and sleeves stay untouched, there's nothing structural to get wrong, which is why I like it as a macrame fringe crop top for a first try. Wear it with high-waisted denim shorts, flat leather sandals and a woven crossbody, plus small hoops. Tie one test knot first and check the strips hang level before you finish the row.
2. Macrame Tank Top With Wide Leg Pants
A long, loose tank gives you enough length for a proper knotted hem. Pick one that falls past your hips, cut the lower part into evenly measured strips, and tie the first row of square knots near your natural waist. Add a staggered second row, then stop around the upper hip and let the rest hang as fringe. I pair it with high-waisted wide-leg linen pants, platform sandals and a canvas tote, since a close tank keeps all that trouser volume in check. If the cut edges sit flat instead of rolling, pull each strip firmly once before knotting. Cotton jersey curls into a rounded cord when stretched, and that cord is what makes the knots look deliberate.
3. Macrame Halter Top With Maxi Skirt
Got a boxy tee that never sat right? I'd turn it into a halter. Remove the sleeves, recut the neckline higher at the front with two long ties, and cut fringe along the hem for a narrow band of alternating square knots. Add fabric ties across the back so you can adjust coverage. A plain maxi skirt, ankle-strap sandals and a small shoulder bag keep the eye on the knotwork. The weak point here is the strap ends: jersey keeps stretching under tension, so knot them tightly and expect to retie once after the first wear. A smooth bandeau or fitted cami underneath is my default.
4. Macrame Open Back Shirt With Linen Shorts
The front stays a plain shirt and the back does the talking. Lay the tee flat, draw a tall oval or rounded rectangle on the back, and cut out the center while leaving a generous margin so the edges stay strong. Cut narrow strips along both sides of the opening and knot opposite strands across it in a ladder or diamond pattern. Before you cut anything, put the shirt on and chalk where your bra band sits, because that line decides how high the opening can go. I wear this macrame open-back shirt with tailored linen shorts, white low-tops and a belt bag, with a simple bralette or fitted tank underneath.
5. Macrame V Neck Top With Flared Jeans
Start with a crew-neck tee and cut only a shallow V at first. You can always go deeper; you can't put fabric back. Save a strip from the hem, attach it across the neckline through small openings or a few hand stitches, then split it into narrow strands and tie tiny square knots that follow the V. A matching knotted band at the waist ties the design together. High-rise flared jeans, platform clogs and a structured shoulder bag suit it, and the long flare balances a waist-length top nicely. A close camisole underneath makes it practical for a normal day.
6. Macrame Side Knot Shirt With Cargo Pants
If you want something subtle, keep the knots on the sides. Cut horizontal slits from the lower side seams toward the center, stopping well before front and back panels meet, then join neighboring sections with overhand or square knots. Where you begin the openings, waist or lower hip, sets how much skin shows. Every knot pulls fabric inward, so try the shirt on between rows; I've seen side-knot tops go from fitted to tight in a single extra row. Wear it with relaxed cargo pants, chunky sneakers and a nylon bag, and leave the last strands loose or finish them with small wooden beads.
7. Macrame Diamond Back Top With Denim Skirt
A diamond cut into the upper back gives you detailed knotwork while the shoulders and waist stay covered. Use a roomy sleeveless shirt in medium-weight cotton; very thin jersey stretches out around the opening and the diamond sags. Cut narrow strips around the edge, long enough to cross, and knot them in staggered rows to echo the diamond inside the cutout. I pin the shirt to a flat board while I work so the pattern doesn't drift off center. Style it with an A-line denim midi, slide sandals and a woven bag, and wear your hair up so the back actually gets seen.
8. Macrame Beaded Fringe Shirt With Black Shorts
Smooth wooden beads give fringe weight, so it swings instead of fluttering. Cut the hem of a relaxed tee into long strips, stretch each one, and tie an even row of knots. Thread one or two beads onto selected strands and knot below each bead to lock it. Go easy: too many beads drag the hem down and distort the shirt. Check the bead holes before you start, because a stretched jersey strip is thicker than it looks. Cream, rust, olive or washed black tees suit the earthy texture, worn with tailored black shorts and flat strappy sandals. Take the beads off before washing unless you know they're water-safe.
9. Macrame One Shoulder Top With White Jeans
Removing one sleeve and reshaping the neckline into a wide band over the other shoulder turns an oversized tee asymmetrical. Since that diagonal line is already the focus, I keep the hem work to medium fringe and two rows of alternating square knots. Use a thick cotton tee that holds its shape after cutting. Pin the neckline and try it on before trimming, because a one-shoulder opening always ends up wider than it looked on the table. Straight-leg white jeans, tan sandals and a small neutral bag finish it, and a fitted strapless layer underneath makes it far easier to wear.
10. Macrame Festival Top With Denim Cutoffs
For festivals I start with a bright or tie-dyed tee, crop it just above the waist, and cut what's left into long narrow strands. The center strands get stacked diamonds; the sides stay loose. A few light beads on the ends are enough, kept to a small color family rather than every shade in the jar. I wear this macrame festival top with denim cutoffs, supportive ankle boots and a crossbody belt bag that won't swing around in a crowd. Raise your arms in the mirror before you leave; cropped tops ride up. Double knots at the fringe ends stop beads sliding off when you're on your feet all day.
11. Macrame High Neck Top With Midi Skirt
This is the most polished project here. A longer fitted mock-neck shell gets all its knotwork at the waist: mark a level line several inches below your natural waist, cut equal strips beneath it (a number divisible by four makes the rows come out even), then tie one compact row of square knots and one wider staggered row. Trim the ends straight. Don't pull hard while knotting, since too much tension gathers the body of the shirt into ripples above the knots. A pleated midi skirt, slingback flats and a structured mini bag keep the handmade part looking intentional.
12. Macrame T Shirt Dress With Leggings
An extra-long tee has room for bigger knots and a tunic result. Mark from mid-thigh to the hem, cut wide even strips, and work a loose diamond pattern in alternating square-knot rows, leaving the ends untrimmed. Open knotwork low on the body shows more than you'd expect when you sit, so I always wear this macrame T-shirt dress over opaque leggings or fitted bike shorts. Add streamlined sneakers, a crossbody and a denim jacket for cooler evenings. Tie the first row with the shirt hanging or pinned to a board; worked flat on a table, the row tends to tilt.
13. Macrame Sleeve Shirt With Straight Leg Jeans
Here the sleeves become the canvas and the hem stays plain. Cut each sleeve of a loose short-sleeve tee into four or eight narrow vertical strips, stopping just short of the shoulder seam, and knot neighbors into a small net. Measure and cut one sleeve fully, then copy it onto the other, since uneven sleeves are obvious from across a room. Leave the shoulder seam alone; it's holding the garment together. Straight-leg jeans, canvas sneakers and a loose front tuck show the sleeves off. A small bead on every second strand adds texture if you want it.
14. Macrame Racerback Tank With Jogger Pants
A racerback tank takes a knotted center panel well. Cut several narrow vertical openings down the middle of the back, leaving the neckline and lower band intact, and connect the strands between them with alternating knots. The panel should follow the curve of your back without dragging the armholes inward. I try the tank on after every row. If it feels restrictive, loosen the knots; stretching the fabric instead distorts the openings and thins the edges. Tapered joggers, clean sneakers and a zip jacket tied at the waist keep it a weekend outfit.
15. Macrame Corset Top With Maxi Pants
No boning involved: this corset-style top gets its shape from lacing alone. Crop a fitted long tee near the waist, remove the sleeves, and make narrow openings along both side seams. Thread long fabric strips through them in a crisscross and tie off near the hem, then add a compact row of knots across the front if you have material left. Lace it snug, not tight; jersey puckers between the eyelets once you pull past its comfortable stretch. High-waisted flowing maxi pants and platform sandals soften the laced look. I'd wear a fitted bandeau under it and double-knot the side ties so they hold all day.
16. Macrame Braided Hem Top With Chino Shorts
If square knots frustrate you, braid instead. Cut a plain tee to hip length, group the hem into threes, braid each group several inches down and knot the ends. For a macrame feel, join neighboring braids with short fabric ties so they form a loose network. Braids pull the hem in more than fringe does, so keep them loose and lay the shirt flat after each group to compare lengths. Navy, white, sage and muted coral all braid well. I'd wear it with chino shorts, slip-on sneakers and a cap.
17. Macrame Butterfly Back Top With Palazzo Pants
A butterfly cutout across the back makes a strong focal point. Sketch two simple wings with washable chalk and keep a solid vertical strip between them; that strip is what stops the back from collapsing. Cut the openings, divide the edges into narrow strands, and knot across the wings to sharpen the shape. Choose a tee with a broad, blank back and keep the wings geometric, because fussy curves weaken jersey and lose definition once worn. A solid fitted cami underneath makes the outline read clearly. Palazzo pants, wedge sandals and a round woven bag finish it.
18. Macrame Ombre Shirt With Denim Overalls
An ombre tee already moves, so the knotwork should stay simple. Crop just below the waist, cut long strips that follow the color change, and tie one level row of square knots and a staggered second row slightly wider. Keep strip widths equal even where the shirt curves at the sides; uneven strips make the gradient look patchy across the finished fringe. Leave the ends uneven only if it suits the fade. I wear it under relaxed denim overalls with one strap undone, low sneakers and a small backpack, and the bib frames the knots.
19. Macrame Long Sleeve Top With Mini Skirt
On a long-sleeve shirt I put short fringe at each cuff and slightly longer strands at the waist, so the details echo each other without opening up much of the body. Cut the cuff fringe clear of the sleeve seam and tie one row of tiny knots. Start with a shirt whose sleeves are a little long, because knotting shortens them, and keep the cuff fringe above your hands or it ends up in your food. An A-line mini skirt, ankle boots and opaque tights in cold weather suit the shape. Secure every end before the first wash.
20. Macrame Layered Top With Maxi Dress
Here the macrame piece is a layer, not a top on its own. Cut a loose tee off at the midriff, cut the remaining hem into long strips, and knot two staggered rows with enough open space for the dress underneath to show. Roll or trim the sleeves. Try it over the maxi dress before the last row so the band lands at your waist. Tonal pairs, such as cream over beige or black over charcoal, look the most considered. Flat sandals, a woven tote and natural-texture jewelry keep it relaxed.
Washing a Knotted Tee So the Fringe Survives
A machine's spin is what ruins cut-jersey tops: strips wrap around each other and knots tighten into hard lumps. I wash mine by hand in cool water with a gentle detergent, or turn them inside out and zip them into a mesh laundry bag on a delicate cycle.
- Take off wooden or painted beads first. Wood swells and can bleed color onto pale cotton.
- Shake the fringe straight while it's wet and dry the shirt flat, never on a hanger, which pulls the knotted section longer.
- Skip the dryer. Heat shrinks cotton jersey, and the knotted rows shrink differently from the plain body.
- If a strip comes out flat, give it a firm tug while it's damp and it will curl back into cord.
Cut edges on jersey don't unravel the way woven fabric does, so you don't need to finish them. Expect the strips to get a little longer and softer over the first few washes, and retie any knot that loosens before it lets go completely.
My Order for Learning Fabric Macrame
If you're new to this, start with the fringe crop or the braided hem; both teach you how jersey behaves before a single cut can ruin the shirt. Move on to side lacing and diamond backs once your strip widths come out even without measuring twice. Leave extra length for every knot, since each one eats more fabric than you'd guess, and try the piece on throughout. Plan coverage around how you'll actually move in it, then choose the bottoms and shoes, and the handmade top will look finished rather than half done.
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