Valentines D.I.Y - Dream Catchers

Make your own Dream Catchers!

A great present idea for Valentines Day. A great gift for your boyfriend, best friends , sister , brother almost anyone. This tutorial will show you how to make these cute dream catchers , without having to spend a lot. You'll be saving money for valentines and its a present filled with love. Who wouldn't love that?

I love the idea that these can catch nightmares and keep them at bay.

 

The things you'll need:

A loop of wire
Faux Suede chord
Embroidery floss
Jump Rings -- small metal loops
Pliers
Feathers
Beads

Making the Dream Catcher:

•  Take your coil of wire, and form a metal loop to your prefered size, using the pliers to cut the wire to the desired lenght. Then mould the wire into a circular shape or any shape you fancy it can be star, square or even an initial (a letter).

NOTE:   You can buy metal loops from craft stores. Also, the shape doesnt have to be circular. I have seen heart shaped dream catchers, if you want a valentines themed dream cather, just shape the wire into a heart shape.

Create a loop of wire, with two loops at the ends.

Join the two ends together with a jump ring. Use the pliers to do this. 

The two ends joined

You should end up with a full metal loop.

Note: An extra step to reinforce the body of the dream catcher is by combining two loops of the same size and sealing the together using jump rings.

Two metal loops joined with jump rings.

•  Wrap the Faux suede around the coil of wire, this helps strenghten and stabalize the loop.  (Alternatives: you can use ribbons, lace, or simply embroidery floss.) 

Cover the loop with your desired materials.

Note: Wrap the material tightly and firmly to avoid any unwanted bumps, or the material from unraveling.

Wrapping the suede , avoiding letting the metal show.

After you have covered the whole loops.You are now ready to create the pattern on the dream catcher. Do this by:

• Firstly, measure out around 70 cm or more of embroidery thread, the colour of your choice; the lenght depends on the size of  metal loop.

• Tie a knot of where you want to start. Tie the embroidery floss twice to three times. In this case, I chose the top of the catcher.

The embroidery floss tied to the loop.

This step is the standard weaving step. You will need to repeat this step every time. 

• Wrap the string over the metal loop and then run it under the loop going over the part of the string which is going over the loop.

It is tricky to describe, but try to copy the way I placed the string like the picture below. 

The standard weave step.

When you have gotten the string similar to the image.

• Ensure there is a about an inch gap between the knot and gap and pull tight. Repeat this weave step around the metal loop, trying to maintain an even seperation between each weave.

First row of weaving.

Once the first layer is complete, you are now ready to start the second row. You will apply the same weaving step.

• For each new row. Run the string over the middle of the string of the first layer of the section close to the part you are on. Then loop it under the first layer's string, going over the string part which is going over the loop.

Same method, start the second row of weaving.

• Repeat the weaving step until you finish the second row.

Note: Pull tight. 

Second row, completed.

• Keep applying the same methods for as many rows you will need to cover the dream catcher to as many rows you wish. Ideally you will need minimum of at least 9 or more rows.

Heres really the fun part. Accessorizing! You can choose to add beads or any embelishments ranging from metal rings to feathers.

Loop through your desired bead. Using needles makes it far more easier.

Personalize by adding  your favourite beads.

Add your bead through the string.

To seal the bead, apply the weave step as usual. 

Weave as usual

As you can see , I added more rows after the bead row. This is to properly seal the beads.

More rows, the merrier!

The main body of the dream catcher complete ^_^

No dream catcher is complete without feathers.

• Using a piece of string attach more beads and the feather to the bottom of the dream catcher.

Here is the finished Dream Catcher :

I hope this tutorial helped :) I hope whoever you give your dream catcher to, they will appreciate the effort and time it took you to create.

Hope this February is filled with love and joy for you all.

Jhane xx

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