DIY Dreamcatcher

I'm back with the how-to to make my little dreamcatcher from yesterday. Ok, here we go!

What you'll need to get started: 

• a few pliable twigs/vines to form the dreamcatcher itself
• 4-6 feet of thin strong string- I used embroidery floss
• a bead (for the "spider" in the dreamcatcher) 
• a page of cardstock or poster board for the "feathers"
• paint, or colorful decorating medium of choice!
• scissors
• craft glue

Step one: start to form your hoop! Grapevine and willow are strong and easily pliable- fresh twigs will be easier to bend- dead ones can be soaked in water to make them more pliable (or if you live in Portland, they'll probably be wet already :) I twisted and tied my willow branches to have them drape at the bottom just to add some visual interest. Do whatever feels right with the vine you have!

Step two: start stitching! I'll defer to this article on Native Tech for the how-to's on that, they give great step by step instructions on exactly how to do the stitch. It's easy once you get going! This was my 2nd time trying the stitch tho- the first time, I put the inital stitches too close together and it got too tiny too fast, so spread those initial ones apart like they say!

You'll start to go around in a circle adding stitches on each "round". On the 2nd or 3rd time around, add a bead to your string to act as the "spider" in the dreamcatcher. Along the 4th or so round I decided I wanted the center to be a different color thread, so I simply tied the yellow thread on tightly to the teal thread, cut the tails and kept going as if it was one piece of string.

Step three: make the feathers! I used some stiff mailer things that came in an order for curtains I got, but any thin cardboard, stiff cardstock or poster board would be great. I painted one side quickly with a black/greenish wash- let it dry. Painted the other side of the same board with the same colors, let it dry. Then you'll have nice double sided feather since it will be visible from both sides as it hangs. 

Then I cut out general feather shapes from the board. Get creative, make them as large or small as you want! Just make sure you cut a thinner "stem" at the bottom that you'll need to use to tie the feathers on in the next step. Then decorate your feathers to make them look pretty and feathery! The sky's the limit, these feathers are from your dream bird! 

Step four: The last step is to hang your pretty dream bird feathers from your pretty hoop! Using the same string (maybe in a different color) that you used for the dreamcatcher, tie one end onto the "base" of your feather. Then, put a thin line of craft glue (I used elmer's craft bond fabric & paper glue) along the front of the feather's "stem" and wrap the thread down around the stem toward the end, over the glue, and back up again towards the thicker side of the feather. 

Then put a thin line of glue on the back side of the stem, over the string you've already wrapped, and wrap the string once more, down to the end of the feather. Make sure the glue bond is strong right at the end where it will hang from. Let the glue dry a bit and make sure it has a good hold.

Then, cut the remaining string that's now coming off the end of the feather to the length you'd like for it to hang from your dreamcatcher. Find a good spot along your hoop, and tie it on. Repeat for each feather and voila! Your dreamcatcher is complete and ready to hang above your bed!

Have fun, and sweet dreams! 

Comments

[Cassie]

JENA!!! This tutorial is amazing. And the brilliant painted feathers you came up with are just gorgeous. LOVE.

[Arlie]

I adore it! Thanks for sharing this Jena :)

[thursday]

Oh thank you for this!! I really dig those feathers. I'm going to bookmark this post and definitely add it to my next link love post. <3

[Brooklyn]

"These feathers are from your dream bird"--haha! :)

Great job on your first how-to post, Jena!

[Van]

This is so perfectly pretty. I love how it feels casual and carefree. A perfect breezy warm weather craft!

[Miss Modish]

Thanks Brooklyn!! :) Hopefully now that Ive gotten my feet wet (and spring is kinda sorta coming around?) Ill be doing some more!

[Sally]

Love the feathers!

[Mama Kimmberli]

I absolutely love your creativity! When I saw the feathers, I thought they were real!! You are very talented, and I look forward to seeing more of your creations!

[Paula]

Hi!

Just wanted to say that I absolutely lovelovelove your blog!:)
I´m a textile design student from Helsinki, Finland and i read ur blog really often ´cos it is so inspirational.

Best wishes,
Paula

[Sweet Ronit]

You make it look so easy! More tutorials, please!

[scrimp girl]

i can't wait to try this! so pretty...

[イヤホン モンスター]

{The Secret|One Of The Keys {To|In order to|For you to|To help you|If you desire to|In an effort to totally|On the way to|When you need to}} rule the moncler-arena Is Really Straight forward!

[bob]

this is very good but there is another way to make it look a bit neater go to...
http://www.thisfashionismine.com/2012/08/diy-dreamcatcher.html