How To Make An Authentic Dream Catcher

Native American Technology and Art

Instructions for Making

Dream Catchers

1. Start with a 2 - half dozen ft. length of fresh Red Willow (Crimson Osier Dogwood), or soaked Grapevine (dried grapevine is available in the craft department of many stores) Carefully bend the vine around to form a circle with a iii - 8 in. bore. You decide on the diameter, but traditionally dreamcatchers are no wider than adult'southward manus.
two. If you are using thin Cherry-red Willow or grapevines, twist the piece you are angle, around the circle you have made to strengthen the hoop.

3. Use iv-16 ft. of stiff but thin string (the length is adamant by the bore of the hoop).
Knot a loop in ane terminate from which y'all will hang your dream catcher when information technology is done.

4. Tie the hanging loop around the top of your dream catcher (or at the weakest indicate of your hoop).

5. The dream catcher repeats the same run up from outset to finish. To start, hold the string and identify it loosely over the top of the hoop. Motion the string around to the back of the hoop (forming a hole) and pull the cord back through the pigsty yous just made.

6. Pull each stitch taught but not too tight or information technology will warp the hoop of the dream catcher and it will not lie flat when information technology is done.

seven. Keep the same stitch for the first round around the hoop of the dream catcher. Infinite the stitches evenly, near i 1/ii to 2 in. apart (making 7 to 13 stitches around the hoop).
8. The concluding stitch of the get-go round should be placed nigh a one-half inch away from the the hanging loop.

STITCH FOR THE SECOND Round:
9. On the second and subsequent stitching rounds, place the cord effectually the centre of each sew from the previous round (rather than around the hoop).

x. As you pull each sew together tight, the cord from the previous round should curve towards the centre of the hoop slightly, forming a diamond shape. Yous should see the spider web starting time to grade.

11. On the third or quaternary round add together a bead to stand for the spider in the web. But place the bead on your string and continue stitching every bit usual.

12. Continue stitching towards the center of the hoop. Eventually, the stitches become and so small that information technology is hard to pass the string through. Make sure y'all get out a hole in the center of the dreamcatcher.
xiii. Stop stitching at the lesser of the pigsty in the center of the dream catcher. Stop past stitching twice in the same identify, forming a knot, and pull tight.

xiv. You should have 6 - 8 in. of cord to tie 2 or iii feathers which dangle from the center of the dreamcatcher.
Necktie on 2 or 3 feathers and knot.

fifteen. Wrap a one in. square of felt around the knot of cord and over the base of operations of the feathers. Tie ii 4 In. pieces string around the wrapped felt.
sixteen. Hang over sleeping identify. Sweet Dreams!!

Origin of the Dream Catcher
Render to Willow Branches and Other Twigs and Roots Background
Branches, Twigs & Roots Bibliography and Books to Buy On-Line

Return to NativeTech's Branches, Twigs & Roots Card

Text and Graphics
© 1994 - Tara Prindle
unless otherwise cited.