Make A Modern Dreamcatcher

Dreamcatchers have been around for what seems like forever.  They are beautiful, full of meaning and can be a great addition to any room decor.  You can find them all over Etsy but they all look the same – beads, feathers and leather.  So what if you don’t want traditional?  What if you want something clean, simple and modern?  Follow along with my easy steps to make a modern dreamcatcher of your own!

This tutorial focuses on  a simple updated version of the traditional dream catcher.  While I don’t dislike the leather and feather versions, mine is more elegant and easier to personalize.  I have been making these for a few years now (they are a huge hit as gifts) and each one is truly unique.  Sorry if this is confusing or I leave anything out, you know I have a tendency to assume that your brain follows the same path as mine does.  If you have any questions feel free to post them in the comment section and I will answer as soon as I can!

What You Need To Make A Modern Dreamcatcher:

The first step is to apply a generous amount of glue to the hoop and start wrapping your cord tightly.  After the first few rotations go back and add some glue in the cracks just to make sure you have a strong starting point (I’ve made the mistake of not securing my ends and having to start over half way through!)  Make sure you start on the INSIDE of your hoop to hide any loose ends.

Keep wrapping tightly the entire way around.  Once you get to the end apply a generous amount of glue to where the cord meets itself and secure.  Leave about a foot of cord hanging and cut off the rest.

Now you are ready to start weaving your web!  This part is fairly simple but it takes precision and patience because you want to make sure your lines don’t get skewed.  First, take your thin hemp and tie it tightly to the hoop right beside your extra sisal cord.  Secure it in place with a little glue and cut off the excess on the back side so you can’t see it.  Now take the string that’s left and pull it to the right.  In case that was confusing here is a visual:

Loop it over the top side of your hoop, pull it around from the under side and cross your string about 3 inches from where you tied it off.  And now that you are completely lost, this is what I mean:

Make loops like these in even increments all the way around your hoop until you are about an inch from your starting point.  When you get there start all over again except for this time make your knot in the middle of the first string segment.  Be sure you have the string pulled tight enough that it doesn’t sag when you start the rest of your rows.

Keep on this way until you are in the center of your hoop.  If you want a little extra security you can always dab a small amount of super glue onto a few of the knots to make sure they don’t budge.

When you get to the center of your hoop tie off your string in a simple knot and apply some glue to make sure it holds.  It doesn’t have to be perfect because it will be covered up by your bead or charm.  I used a charm for this and it had a notch cut out to clip over the string, but if yours doesn’t or if you have a bead take the extra string that’s still hanging after you tie off your knot and thread it through.  Make another knot (on the back side so it’s hidden), dab on some glue and cut.  There isn’t a specific way of tying this, it all depends on what kind of bead/stone you use.

Now that you are finished you can hang your dreamcatcher with the extra foot of sisal cord or hemp that you left on at the beginning.  Tie it to a fixture, put a clear push pin through it and have it floating on the wall or hang it on a window.  IF you want you can cut off the extra cord and hang it on a nail like a picture frame.  There are many different ways to personalize these; use your favorite color hemp or adorn it will beads and ribbon.  Another fun idea for this is to glue some wooden initials to the main hoop and hang it on your front door like a wreath!

I hope you have enjoyed my tutorial, and if you have any questions put them in the comment box below.  Feel free to pin this using the “pin it” button below the post!