Dream catchers are a beautiful addition to your home for décor, and the meaning behind them is even more beautiful. Native Americans have viewed this symbol as a protection for people (usually children) while they sleep, from bad dreams and nightmares. Native Americans believe that the night air is filled with dreams, both good and bad. When hung above the bed in a place where the morning sunlight can hit it, the dream catcher attracts and catches all sorts of dreams and thoughts into its webs. Good dreams pass through and gently slide down the feathers to comfort the sleeper below. Bad dreams, however, are caught up in its protective net and destroyed, burned up in the light of day.

So especially during these times of uncertainty, many of us could use a beautiful symbol to help us sleep soundly through the night! I wish you all wonderful dreams!

You Will Need:

I‘m showing you how to do two types of dream catchers – one full circle and one crescent moon.  They are mostly the same process, but there are just a couple different materials that you will need.

If you are making a crescent moon dream catcher, you will need:

• Wire clothes hanger
• Wire cutter

If you are making a full circle dream catcher, you will need:

• Wooden or wire embroidery hoop

Both dream catchers will need the following materials:

• Leather lacing or thick thread for internal weaving
• Fabric, yarn, ribbon, lace, thread, or any fabric/ribbon items you would like use to hang from the dream catcher
• Feathers (color and size is up to you)
• Beads (assorted)
• Fabric scissors

How-To:

1. If you are using a wire hanger, cut off the top hanging part with wire cutters and shape into a crescent moon…a large “C” shape.  If you are using a wooden embroidery hoop, just take the inside ring and discard the outer ring with the screw mechanism.
2. OPTIONAL:  You can wrap the wire hanger or the wooden embroidery hoop with fabric or ribbon.
3. For the internal lacing middle pattern, I will be using leather lacing, but you can use yarn, ribbon, thread, etc.
4. Cut a large amount of lacing to create the middle pattern, about 3 feet.
5. Tie a knot to begin the inner weave. Make sure it is a tight, secure knot.  Double not if you need to.
6. Measure about two inches across on the ring. Since you will need both hands for this, you might want to consider using a finger as a measuring stick! Whatever finger you choose can be your guide for the rest of your design.
7. Now this part is a little tricky to explain in writing, but easy when you watch it being done so my advice…give it a watch! And please go easy on the roughness of my quarantined fingernails! But I’ll try to explain it here.
8. Wrap the lacing underneath and then loop it through, pulling it tight and secure.  Using your finger as a guide to keep it equal, continue this process.  Go all the way around the circle, or to the edge of the crescent moon.
9. For the second layer of the middle weave, wrap the lacing underneath the MIDDLEof the first layer.
10. Continue this same method for the third layer, fourth layer and all the layers you need or want to create. If you want to leave some space in the middle to hang something, make sure you leave enough room and tie it off.  If you want to go all the way to the middle, continue this weave until it meets in the middle.
11.  Now it’s time to add the fun hanging elements.  First, grab the fabric and pieces you would like to use.  These will hang down from the bottom of the dreamcatcher.
12. Decide how long you would like your elements to hang.  Measure your piece to hang down to your liking, and double it.  Weave it through the center and tie it off at the hoop.  Mix and match patterns and fabrics here.  It will add to the uniqueness and beauty of the project.
13. Now, grab beads that you would like to hang from the dreamcatcher.  You can use beads on their own by tying them off all the way down the ribbon, or use the beads to hold the feathers.
14. Grab a few feathers and hold them tightly together.  Put the bead on the ribbon and push the cluster of feathers into the bead. This should hold on it’s own. If it is loose, add more feathers. If the feathers stick up too much over the bead, you can use the ribbon to wrap around the top and cover them up.
15. Continue this process until you are happy with your creation!
16. Take a bit of the leather lacing to make a top knot.  Wrap it through like you did for the hanging parts…except do this on the top.
17. Hang and enjoy!

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