How to make a dreamcatcher

Dream-catcher Supply Links:

• The hoop.
• Hemp cord material – material for the middle pattern.
• String spool – to make feather embellishments.
• Crochet doily – material for the middle, if you’re skipping the weave pattern.
• Fabric, fabric, fabric, and more fabric.
• Lace material, lace material, and more lace material. 
• Colorful yarn, glittery yarn, and more yarn.
• Feathers.
• Beads.
• Double-sided tape.
• Hot glue gun + hot glue sticks.
  
  
  
• 1. These three supplies are the most critical to the craft – so they are necessary regardless of the end design!
     • The hoops or rings can be found in the yarn and crocheting aisles. Both metal and wood are fine and the size of the ring is dependent on how large you want the the dreamcatcher to be.
     • The hemp product is used to create the intricate weaving pattern in the middle. The hemp cord material is the easiest to use as it’s durable and somewhat stretchy. I bought a multicolored pack and a natural looking one, who doesn’t love options?
     • The red spool of string is used for creating feather embellishments. I found this in the yarn section, super inexpensive and lots of it. Choose whatever color you like.
  2. These supplies are to hang from the dreamcatcher and make it look extra dreamy. You can find the spools in the yarn section and the lace material is from the ribbon section.
  3. The fabric selection should be given some extra thought and time. This is where colors and patterns should be chosen based on a theme or overall look & feel. The fabrics I chose can create 2 –  3 different looks depending on which ones are paired together.
     • This step can become very expensive – look for the fabrics that are on sale,
     • Decide on a fabric that will be the base and wrap around the entire hoop.
       • Purchase 1 – 2 yards of the base fabric.
     •  Decide which fabrics will be used as accent colors.
       • Purchase 1/2 – 1 yard of these fabrics.
     • Feathers and beads galore –  no need to go crazy here but do have fun with it.
       • Purchase either a large bag or two smaller bags of feathers. I gravitate towards the more natural looking feathers.
       • Pick out a few packs of beads that fit the style and overall design.

       • How to Wrap the Hoop:

         

       • 1. Choose a fabric to use as the base and wrap around the entire hoop.
         2. Using a scissor, cut an inch into the fabric. Make sure to use the side that is jagged and scraggly looking.
            • THEN – rip all the way down the fabric until you have a fabric strip. Be sure to stop every foot or so to keep the fabric from going crazy. This is my favorite part, for some reason ripping fabric is weirdly therapeutic!
         3. Start anywhere on the hoop and begin to wrap the fabric around the starting piece. Go a few times around and around to ensure the fabric is tightly wound and secure.
         4. Wrap it up! You can make each wrap as small or large as necessary. There’s no method to the madness, just keep wrapping the fabric around and around.
         5. If you run out of fabric – simply rip another strip, secure the first piece with double-sided tape, and start again where you left off.
         6. Finish wrapping the hoop by securing the fabric with a hot glue gun or any type of adhesive.

         • How to Weave the Middle Pattern:

       1.  Locate the wrapped hoop and hemp cord material.
       2. Cut a large amount of hemp to create the middle pattern – 3 to 5 feet to start.
       3. Decide where the top of the dreamcatcher will be and tie a knot –  a tight, secure knot.
       4. Measure about a pinky fingers length away from the top knot.
          1. The measuring that is done in the beginning will affect the overall design. You can easily measure a smaller or bigger distance here.
       5. Wrap the hemp underneath and then loop it through, pulling it tight and secure.
       6. Continue measuring a pinky fingers length from each knot created – looping and knotting around the entire circumference.
       7. When you get back to the top knot, measure the next knot to the middle of the first one.
          1. This can get tricky so move slowly and patiently.

  • How to Embellish & Decorate:

  1. Decide what fabrics to use – these will hang down from the bottom of the dreamcatcher.
  2. Use the same technique of cutting and then ripping to create fabric strips.
     • You can make however many your heart desires.
     • I did less of the expensive fabric and more of the solid, cheaper fabric.
  3. Fold the fabric strip in half,  then create a simple loop and pull the fabric through.
     • Use the picture above as a reference.

Pull the fabric tight and voila – you’re on the way to a dreamy dreamcatcher!

1. Continue adding fabric strips to the bottom of the hoop, keeping the fabric strips close together.
2. Create more dimension by using the materials from the yarn section.
   • This is where it starts to get really pretty!
3. Optional: add beads throughout the hanging pieces.
4. Create a layering / texture effect by tying knots or braiding pieces together.
   • Again – the options are endless here!