DIY Dreamcatchers
DIY Dreamcatchers: Step by Step Tutorial
In my recent post, “The History and Story of Dream Catchers” I mentioned that I was going to be making a dream catcher of my own. Well, here it is! 🙂 I included pictures and directions as well! I think dream catchers are absolutely beautiful, creative, and fascinating. Don’t you?
Did you ever have a dreamcatcher as a kid? Or currently, have one now? I did and still do. I’ve always thought about making one myself but I never got around to it.
I finally made up my mind to make one so I went searching online to learn how. This would be fun to make for yourself or even for your kids/family members to make! I was pretty excited to make this because this is my first one ever! And it definitely won’t be the last!
What You’ll Need:
–Metal ring (the size is up to you. I used one that measured 10 inches)
-Scissors
-Glue, this is to help seal the knots so it doesn’t come undone and beads. I used a hot glue gun but another good idea is superglue. Whichever glue you use, you want it to dry fast and be clear.
-String (This is for the webbing on the inside of the ring and the bottom hanging part; you can choose any color you like)
-A few large paperclips
-Beads
-Feathers (I used two different kinds of feathers-fluffy pure white and striped patterned brown)
–Suede Lacing (Enough to tightly wrap around the metal ring)
-If you want extra things hanging on the bottom, good ideas are lace, shells, string, beads, etc.
Directions:
*If my directions are hard to follow or you just need more visuals, I also posted a few pictures to help at the bottom of this post. I will be happy to help if you have any questions as well!
1) First, get all of your materials ready. Then, begin wrapping the ring with the suede lacing. Place a paperclip on the starting end to hold it down while you continue to finish wrapping the rest of the ring.
2) To seal the two ends together, I used a hot glue gun. I glued the end pieces on the back so that it didn’t show on the front of the dream catcher. Remember to remove the paperclip but still hold the ends together; you don’t want it unraveling. I only put enough glue to seal and hold it in place (I put a little on the sides and top of the ends). You want to use a glue that dries quickly.
3) Then, I got out the string I was using for the webbing and paper clipped one end to the top (where we just sealed the ends of the suede lacing; make sure it is firmly holding the string because it will be getting tugged and pulled on).
4) Wrap the string around the ring as shown above. The best way I can describe it is: “under-over-under-over”. You definitely do not want it as loose as the picture above, that is just to help show you how. You want to have the string a little tighter/closer to the edge of the ring. Trust me, I started over 3-4 times before I finally got it the way I wanted it lol. So don’t worry if you mess up the first time!
5) Continue to wrap the string the same exact way. You are going to do this the entire time until you get to the center. You are going to wrap the string on every straight line as shown above. There are also other helpful pictures on the bottom of this page.
6) Once you get to the center and the middle opening is as small as you like, create a loop and tie a double knot. I made the knot on the back of the dream catcher. Make sure it is right against the opening because you will be cutting off the excess string and you don’t want anything hanging down. To be sure that it was secure, I placed a small, small drop of hot glue on the knot.
7) Using a piece of suede lacing, create a ‘hanger’ on the top of the dream catcher. This will go over the same place where you glued the ends of the suede lacing that you used for the metal ring.
8) It’s now time to add the hangings for the bottom of the dream catcher! I used dark brown beads, the white string that I used to make the webbing inside of the dream catcher, patterned brown feathers, and fluffy pure white feathers (to add fullness). So get out your feathers, glue, scissors, string, and either a paper plate or old newspaper so the glue doesn’t get all over the surface you are working on.
9) Measure how long you would like the bottom to be and double it; you will be looping/tying the string around the ring and it will create two sides. I did this three times as you can see: one in the middle and one on each side. I know this sounds a little confusing so I hope the pictures above help!
I first used the suede lacing but I didn’t like it. So then I used the white string instead and I liked it much better. I also started out just using the brown patterned feathers but I didn’t like that either. This is when I decided to add fluffy feathers to add fullness. That is exactly what it needed! I chose to add the pictures above to really show you exactly what I went through and had to change.
10) This is optional, but if you are using multiple colors/types of feathers like I did, you can lay them out to design a pattern for each string. This is shown above. I also took an up-close picture so you could see the patterned feathers I used.
11) Then, place one bead on each side of the string (I started on the left side) until you get it as close to the ring as you want. Then stick the feather(s) through the bead. I had to cut the excess length on the tops of the feathers a little bit to get them to fit into the beads and not stick out. Once I had the feathers placed as far as they could go (not popping out of the top of the bead though), I placed a drop of hot glue on top to seal them in.
12) Repeat the step above (Step 11) until you’re finished. Space out the beads as far as you want them (I made the mistake of putting them too close together so it was a little clumpy; I have 5 beads total on the side sections and 7 beads total on the middle section. When I was also placing the feather(s) into the beads, I always kept the feather(s) under the string that was coming through the bead. I know this sounds confusing so hopefully, the picture above helps! 🙂
13) You are going to repeat the same thing for all three sections. Double-check everything to make sure all feathers and beads are secure. Whatever excess string you did not use, you are now going to cut it off- which is the final step! As you can see in the picture above, I cut the excess string right where the last bead is; I cut it as close to the bottom of the bead as possible without ruining anything.
Then, you’re done! 🙂 You are now able to hang up your beautiful dream catcher!
Yes, there are many other ways of making dream catchers, especially since there are other designs you could do, but this is mine. I hope my directions and pictures were clear enough to understand; if not, please feel free to leave a comment or question below and I will answer back as soon as possible! 🙂 I tried my best as some things were a little hard to explain! Lol. I hope you understand!
Here are a couple of helpful pictures that I mentioned at the beginning of the directions!
speaking of dream catchers my friends. imagine i paid $190.00 for one. today it is worth $375.00.. it has feathers, animal skins, fox tails, beads, etc etc. it is 24 inches circled wide, by 42 inches hanging long. It is my casino player good luck charm dream catcher. bought it at an indian casino store. have hit many a jackpots with its magnetic spiritually aimed good luck charmers. if i were able i would attach a picture of it here. but no attachments can be made. anyway, that is my dream catcher story.
It is so sad that this sacred item is now seen as a craft project. Making it properly requires ceremony and specific prayers which are different for different tribal nations. Each component has a specific meaning and takes days to come to an understanding of what it means to the individual who is creating this sacred object. Please, no one think you are making an authentic dream catcher that will work for you as it is intended.
We aren’t making a sacred object Susan. We are simply honoring the beauty of dream catchers by recreating our own version of it.
Dream catchers are sacred objects to the traditional indigenous. If you are making a craft, then please do not talk about them catching bad dreams. It can’t be both ways. Just say you are making an ornament based on the indigenous dream catchers.
I appreciate your feedback Susan but there is no mention of catching bad dreams in this post.
The theory is that your potential bad dreams get caught in the web of the dreamcatcher so you don’t have them. So yes, the dreamcatcher is supposed to help with nightmares. It’s best to hang the dreamcatcher as close to the person’s bed as possible–and usually hanging above the head. Most people hang them on their headboard.
I hope this helps!
Hello,
I wonder where I can found Metal Ring, string and Suede Lace for dream catchers ?
Thank you in advance
Most craft stores carry these items. You can also find them online at Amazon: METAL RING , SUEDE LACE , AND ELASTIC STRING. Hope that helps 🙂
I love making dream catchers but I make them with just beads. But I need different ideas like I want to start making them with pic in the middle of them, But I don’t know what to call them or how to go by to look them up to order them if any one can help me out wood you places message me. Think you
Hi Crystal: You could use embroidery hoops to attach a picture to the inside and then work around it to make a dream catcher.
In this case with the picture in the middle it is no longer a dreamcatcher. It becomes a Native American Mandala instead.
Hobby lobby has all of the above
I still have the Dream catcher that I made when I was 10. It hung in my room til I moved out of my parents house. Perhaps I should make one with my girl over the weekend! Thanks for the inspiration!
Thanks for these tips! It has been hard to get the netting down until now. Dream catchers are complicated and I didn’t realize it would be so much easier to make one on a table rather than a lap. Also, laying out the feathers before hand is easier than doing it when the time is necessary.
Nice and easy… Thanks a lot… I love making stuff <3
You’re welcome! We love making stuff too =)
How and when did you put the spirit bead on? 🙂
I love dreamcatchers. although I am not all that crafty, I think I could make these. thanks.
what can you use instead of suede lacing?
You can use ribbon, wool, strips of materials.
My sister in law asked me where she could buy a dreamcatcher (for her daughter…long story) and I had no idea. Now I can show her how to make one. Thanks a bunch!
That looks pretty easy to do. I love dream catchers.
Hello! Thanks for the directions!! May I ask where did you get your metal ring from??
From Michaels Kylene 🙂
Your directions are very clear. I think I am going to be making one of these for my mother. She had one a long time ago, and somehow lost it.
you are really nice to so that for your mother
Thanks for the directions! Easy to follow… my dreamcatcher turned out very well!
I’m so glad Joslyn!
I sure did have one as a child, and I have one I made in school packed away. I think this is a good project to do with my kiddos… Im going to print this off and get the supplies needed! Thank you
I used to make these all the time and I had one hanging off the mirror of my car and one on my wall in my office at work and one in my house. I just loved them. What I like most is no two are alike. You did a great tutorial. If you don’t have any white thread to make the webbing you can always use dental floss. I actually liked using it better because it was a bit sticky and not so slippery so it was easier to do. I also went out side and cut some brush branches and made a circle ring out of them just by weaving it around itself. Then when you add the floss for the webbing it ties it together forever. I also use pheasant feathers they look great on them mixed with a large turkey feather. They look more natural and real.
Great idea! Im going to try!!(=
This is so neat!! Looks so cool! 🙂 God bless!
I was just curious how much of the suede you ended up using
We didn’t measure Alyssa. We just kept wrapping until the ring was covered. Sorry I can’t be more specific.
I love the way you did your dream catcher!!!
Very grateful for your directions. I am not a handy person, it took me two afternoon to complete mine.
Much blessings,
m
You’re welcome! Enjoy your dreamcatcher <3
when I started reading the post, I thought it will be something I could do with my 10 yr old but your pictures and end result is so pur….rfect that I wonder even I can do it or not!. But I am going to try and will eventually teach at least my 11 yr old daughter.
these are so pretty and yours turned out perfect. I am going to try with my more artfully capable friends because I want one 🙂
Hey, I just found this blog when looking for a dreamcatcher how-to, and this is immensely helpful; thank you!
Wow, I have never thought about making my own dreamcatcher, and I am going to try this. I’ve bought them in the past, and they are expensive. I am not very crafty, however…lol. I cannot foresee this working for me, but we’ll see.
Give it a try Mya! It’s easier than it looks–honestly. We had to practice a few times ourselves 😉 Good luck and send us a pic if you make your own!
Those are really pretty~ I want to make one with my family. The instructions are great and make it seem much less complicated than others I have seen.
Okay, so It’s a question that I’ve always had, but Is this dreamcatcher Also for repelling nightmares?
Vanessa: The theory is that your potential bad dreams get caught in the web of the dreamcatcher so you don’t have them. So yes, the dreamcatcher is supposed to help with nightmares. It’s best to hang the dreamcatcher as close to the person’s bed as possible–and usually hanging above the head. Most people hang them on their headboard.
I hope this helps!
Great directions on how to make dream catchers, picture were great. Something I think we all were fascinated by as a kid (I was), It’s very pretty!
I love dream catchers and I am planning on making one for my friend. So glad I finally found a good tutorial. thank you.
Nicely explained and a beautiful outcome. Thanks.
I have one of these hanging over our bed!!! I am BEYOND craft challenged but this looks like it is so much fun!!!
I used to make these with my mom as a kid and would love to teach my daughters how too!