Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Fabric Dream Catcher Tutorial

I have been in love with dream catchers ever since I saw them made by Tausha on her blog, Simply me. So being the do it yourself person that I am I decided to try and make them. I am in no way an expert, but after making my first one for my daughters birthday I decided I will do a tutorial on how I do it.  Many of you said you are interested. I love making them, I think they are so pretty, and photos just don't do them justice.


This is the one that I made last night in order to show you how to do it. I love it!

The first thing you want to do is gather your supplies.


 1. You will need a hoop (last time I used a 14 inch, this time I used a 12 inch). You can find these at a JoAnns superstore or e-bay.

2. Some sort of thread to make the webbing. I used a waxed thread this time, last time I used a thread used for tatting. I thought they both worked fine.

3. Fabric and trims, I used all variations of white because I wanted this dream catcher to be able to go anywhere.

4. Some large hole beads to add into your webbing, if you want a little sparkle. You could also use wood beads.

5. I like to use a rose, my preference is a paper rose which can be purchased here on Etsy

To begin you need to cover your hoop with fabric. Tear about a 1 inch strip and start by hot gluing the end down to the hoop.


Then just wrap around and around until the whole hoop is covered. If you run out of fabric you will have to start with gluing down a new piece and then continuing.


Now comes the part that scares most people. I myself was worried about this part the first time, but it is very easy and looks so pretty.
Start by tying your thread of choice tightly to your hoop. Then go a certain distance (the smaller the distance the tighter the web, longer and the web will be a larger pattern). I used my small purse camera to measure the distance I went between wraps. So you wrap around hoop, pull tight, wrap again...until you are all the way around the hoop. It doesn't have to be perfect.


Then you are going to start your second row. You are going to pull your thread over and around the middle of your thread you made the first time..making a slipknot. Going onward to the next one..and the next.


Important thing is to pull it tight--do not let the knot form until it is pulled tight.


If you want to add beads just slip one on before moving onto the next knot. I put them on randomly. If you run out of thread just carefully tie on another piece. I put a little clear nail polish on it to hold the knot.


You just keep going and going. If you have trouble understanding how to make the webbing there are many videos that you can watch online. Once you get it it is very simple and the results are lovely.

You can leave a large or small hole in the middle--depending on what you prefer. The hole is suppose to catch your dreams. :) By no means are my dream catchers meant to be  "real" they are just a beautiful decoration. But it is kind of fun to think of them catching your dreams anyway.


Now for what I think is the fun part!

You can tear strips of fabric, cut lengths of ribbon, lace, whatever looks pretty to you! I decided to cut some burlap strips for this one.


I do both sides the same. I make a bow with one of the fabrics.


On only one side I add one of my paper roses. The roses I got some Etsy have a wire attached, so you just wrap the wire around the hoop. Easy peesy!


That is it! Wasn't that fun? I am really in love with these dream catchers!


I really love this one. I made it in all shades of white so it can go into anybody's decore...why? Well, remember on my blog anniversary when I said I was planning to do a giveaway but I was too busy at that time? As much as I hate to give this one up, this is going to be part of the giveaway! I am excited to give this away to one of you. So stay tuned...soon you will have a chance to win this pretty dream catcher. :)


Do you think you could find a place in your home for this little beauty?


Dream catchers aren't just for the bedroom anymore! Though I do think they look beautiful and peaceful in the bedroom.


If you do make one, please share it with me. I would love to see!



Thanks for visiting... Sweet dreams!

44 comments:

Penny @ Penny's Vintage Home said...

I love your tutorial, thank you so much for sharing! Hugs, Penny

Rosemary@villabarnes said...

Great tutorial, Sandy. It's beautiful.

Anonymous said...

Whoever wins this is going to be very lucky. Your dream catcher is beautiful! I saw the one you made your daughter and it was wonderful too. Thanks for showing how to make one.

I don't think I've mentioned it to you, but I've been letting all my friends know that I'm Shannon formerly of Cozy Home Scenes. I had to start a new blog, so you'll be seeing me under this new name from now on.

Unknown said...

Beautiful dream catcher-romantic and perfect!!!Have a nice day!
xoxo...by Vicky

Nann said...

GREAT tutorial Sandy. I have a grand daughter who would LOVE to make this. N.

Melanie said...

It is lovely Sandy! Great tutorial. I need to try this!

Grandma Carolee said...

You are an excellent teacher! The dream catcher is beautiful.

Anne said...

Sandy that was a great tutorial!And how beautiful that dream catcher is!
xx
Anne

Bunny Jean said...

Hi Sandy!

I have seen dream catchers done in the southwestern style but never the romantic shabby chic style. It is just lovely.

I never knew how easy they were to make. Thanks for showing us how you make them.

xoxo Bunny Jean

Pam Kessler said...

That is so pretty! I had no idea they would be so easy to make. I was picturing crocheting being involved.

June said...

What a great tutorial Sandy...now I am just itching to make one for myself. I had no idea how to do the weaving in the center, so thank you for sharing this with us.
hugs...

Tracy ~ If I Knew You Were Coming I'd Baked A Cake said...

Ooooh Sandy I will try and make one. Thank you for the tutorial. Tracy x

Betsy@My Salvaged Treasures said...

Your dream catcher is so pretty, I really like the pretty rose you added. I've never seen a tutorial for these before, thanks so much for sharing it with us.

ladydu said...

thank you so much for the tutorial. I will certainly try one for myself. I would love to win one from you.

dianne

The Polka Dot Closet said...

Sandy, I love Tausha's blog, she is a local girl here in Orlando and I have met her a couple times, she has made the prettiest dream catchers. Yours is adorable too, what a great tutorial, it looked difficult until you broke it down! Great job!

Carol

Unknown said...

Just Wonderfull, I like the idea of dream catcher. it seems easy to realise, thanks

traffictieup said...

I have read many blogs in the past, but to tell you the truth since i came across this one i found that it really stands out. People need to post more quality content like this.

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MONSIEUR LE CHAT ET MOI said...

Tracy your tutorial is great ! I wouldn't have been able to explain as well as you did ! As I put on my blog Rachel sells his 195 dollars that a real price not in my budget ! and they are so funny to do.
Kisses from PARIS
Joëlle

Pam said...

Sandy, Your dream catchers are simply divine! It is so sweet of you to share your secrets. I will be making one for sure. Love the shabby whites of yours! xo's Pam

Jacqueline~Cabin and Cottage said...

Very pretty! I like the fabric combinations. Especially the eyelet. But the rose makes it special.

Laurel Leaf Cottage said...

Very nice!! I love the burlap and lace together!! Thanks for showing how to do the webbing, I always wondered!! I'm now following you!! =) Deanna

Jennifer @ Town and Country Living said...

That's really pretty, Sandy! You did a great job.

Shanon at Vintage Sparkle Chic said...

So pretty! The first photo made me think of Tausha and then you mentioned her! How funny! Yours turned out beautifully.

~Shanon

Heaven's Walk said...

Thank you so much for sharing such a great tutorial, Sandy. I've been wanting to try my hand at making one of these....and you made this sound so very easy! I'm anxious to get to Hobby Lobby now. lol!

xoxo laurie

Sarah said...

I'm so glad you posted this! I really want to try and make one now. :)

Bonnie@ The Hopeless Romantic said...

Hi Sandy, i love these, i saw them on Tausha's blog aswell. U make it look so easy, LOL. Something i think im definately gonna try. Over the new iron antique bed i just bought, wouldnt one look great there!...Bonnie

20 North Ora said...

I have seen these but never done in an all white like this. Really makes it look completely different. Very vintage.

Judy

Kathy said...

Wow! Yours is wonderful...You may have inspired me to make a few myself! I love your tutorial! Hope you have a blessed weekend,
Kathy

Anonymous said...

Sandy, this is lovely! Thank you for the tutorial! You just amaze me with your ideas and talent! I'm voting everyday on the Halloween Pet costumes! Hope they win!

Janae said...

I love it, it turned out so pretty! I want to try to make one :)

pipigirl said...

been moving daughter this week, so im behind. ive found the perfect spot. and, if you really dont want to give it up, you could make an different one. white of course:)

Connie said...

You are so talented. Your dream catcher is so lovely, it would make a wonderful wedding gift. Thank you for the step by step photos.
You Rock! Connie :)

Wendy@Once upon a rose haven said...

Your dream catcher is beautiful! Thank you for sharing with us that great tutorial!
XO
~Wendy

Unknown said...

Hello Sandy,
Okay, I think I might be able to make one.Maybe..I just have to find the right time to challenge myself. Yours are so beautiful..Hope to catch a dream..

shabbyfufu said...

Hi Sandy,

I had seen these on Rachel Ashwell's website quite awhile ago and it's nice that you made one for yourself and then shared the DIY for those that perhaps can't afford one to do for themselves as well.

xo,
Janet

Olivia said...

Hello sweetie pie!! Your dreamcatchers are so darling!!! Love your sweet picx
xoxo
Olivia

Cottage and Broome said...

Your dream catcher is beautiful! Great directions too, thanks so much for sharing it, Laura

elizabeth said...

Thank you for your kind comment on my small home. It's encouraging to know that not all bloggers live in McMansions! :)

Heirloom treasures said...

I'm going to make one for my daughters birthday for sure. She will love it. Kerry Lee is very much into aqua and white like you,so that's what I'll do. Just got to work it out,although your tutorial seemed so simple to follow. Here goes. I'll let you see it ASAP,just got to get the hoop. xx Thanks

Sherry Hicks said...

THanks so much for sharing this Sandy, I love how yours turned out!! I have a few of Tausha's for me but may make one for someone for christmas using this thanks so much! Oh my blog is back.....after one week I totally missed it, I will post a new post tomorrow. Thanks for you encouragement and inspiration!
Sherry

Cindy said...

It turned out absolutely beautiful! You should have seen me doing the twine part on mine, it was a disaster... yours is perfect!

Cindy

Unknown said...

bellissimo, lo voglio fare!chissà se sarò brava come te!???

PJH Designs said...

That is just beautiful! You gave a wonderful detailed tutorial also. I have to try to do this. Thanks so much for sharing. Won't you share at my party Totally Transformed Tuesday? I know my readers would love to see. http://pjhdesignsoneofakind.blogspot.com Hope to see you there. :-) Peggy

Victoria said...

What a fantastic tutorial! It sounds so overwhelming to me, as wonderfully as you described it I just can't see myself being able to pull it off!!! I'm lucky enough to own one of Tausha's creations so I'm just counting on all you talented ladies to sell them rather than taking it on myself:)