How to Make a Gorgeous Paper Napkin Dream Catcher

There’s just something about a dream catcher that always makes me feel at peace. And with everything that’s going on in the world right now, I’m craving some of that. I find myself worrying all the time, about my kids, and friends, and family. But most of all I worry about the less fortunate people in our beautiful country that don’t have a pantry stocked with food and can’t isolate themselves. I’ve sent food parcels, and seed packets and made masks, but it still feels like I should be doing so much more. Sadly, I’m all out of ideas at the moment and when I stress it always helps a little if I create something new. Something like this paper napkin dream catcher.

That pretty paper napkin caught my eye a while back and I managed to save one for a rainy, crafty day.

All those gorgeous ladies from different cultures and backgrounds, grouped together, really appealed to me and using the napkin to make a dream catcher seemed fitting somehow.

The origins of dream catchers

The Ojibwe tribe tells the story of a motherly “Spider Woman” who used her mystical powers to safeguard her people. She was especially protective of young children and babies. When the Ojibwe started spreading across the land, it became difficult for “Spider Woman” to keep watch over them as they moved further away. So she created a dream catcher to hang in the morning sunlight above the children’s beds. The sacred hoop would gather all the “night thoughts” and dreams in her web and only let the good ones flow down into the feathers to comfort the sleeper below.

Strictly speaking, dream catchers should have a web of some sort inside the sacred hoop. But I figured in these trying times, it’s up to us as people to form that protective web and stand together in our thoughts, actions, and prayers. So I hope the original creator of the dream catcher will forgive me for bending the rules a little.

Lucky for me the paper napkin was black and white, which meant I could use it for this month’s IBC challenge too.

What’s the IBC all about

The IBC, or International Blogger’s Club, is a group of bloggers from all over the world who challenge each other to make something using a common theme.  Last month’s challenge was Eggcellent Easter and we had so much fun creating this giant concrete egg. You’ll be able to see what my friends did with their “black and white” challenge at the end of the tutorial.  

Right, before we get to the tutorial, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Instagram. And don’t forget to subscribe so you’ll never miss a post!

What you need

To make the paper napkin dream catcher

• Embroidery hoop
• Paper napkin
• Scrap bits of fabric
• Beads &Feathers (cruelty-free if possible)

To transfer a napkin onto fabric

• Iron on transfer adhesive
• Cotton fabric

How to turn a paper napkin into a dream catcher

We’ve shared a few dream catcher tutorials on the blog before, like this half-moon beauty and this silky bohemian creation. You can even use t-shirt yarn to make one, but this is the first time I’ve made a dream catcher using a paper napkin. Now I’ve never had much luck using mod podge to transfer napkins. They always seem to rip or go all wrinkly. And since I only saved one napkin (silly me) I wasn’t willing to take a chance, so I used iron-on adhesive instead. If you don’t have any in your craft cupboard, mod podge will work too.

Separate the layers of the paper napkin. You only need to top layer with the picture on.

Place your fabric down on a flat protected surface. Remove the backing from the iron-on adhesive.

Place the iron on adhesive with the tacky side down on the fabric.

Put the napkin on top and the place the backing sheet you removed earlier over the napkin to protect. You can also use a clean dish towel.

Set your iron on hot. Not super hot though. I used the cotton setting on mine and you need to make sure to turn the steam function OFF.

Move the iron around to ensure the adhesive melts all over. Once the napkin adheres use the embroidery hoop as a guide and cut the paper napkin transfer out.

Place the napkin inside the embroidery hoop and trim the excess.

Turning the paper napkin transfer into a dream catcher

I had a whole bunch of scrap black fabric left over. Not even sure where it comes from, but hey nothing goes to waste here. I also used some wooden beads and black feathers.

Weave the beads and feathers onto the fabric scraps. I chose to make 5 strands. The number 5 is a symbol of harmony, balance, and peace. Something we all need right now <3 You can use whatever you have on hand that fits the style and overall design of your napkin.

Don’t worry too much about straightening the feathers or lining them up by size. If you’re using cruelty-free feathers they will be different sizes and shapes and it all adds to the appeal of the finished paper napkin dream catcher. Instead, just make sure all the beads and feather tips are kinda lined up and let the feathers stick out whichever way they want to. Once your strands are done, flip the embroidery hoop over and glue the beaded fabric strands on the back.

And that’s it. The paper napkin dream catcher is done.

Hang and enjoy.

Don’t you just love the sweet little Buddha next to the old typewriter?

He looks so content. I wish I had a little of his inner peace but perhaps the dream catcher will help 😉

I tried to find a similar paper napkin on Amazon to share a link with you all, but no such luck. But you can find similar images on google and use this handy tutorial to print them on a napkin.

If you like the idea of making a paper napkin dream catcher, don’t forget to pin it for later.

Caring is sharing 😉

Pssssst, don’t forget to go have a look at what my friends from the IBC have done with their “Black and White” Challenge (images and links below).

Interior Frugalista | Northern Feeling | Faeries and Fauna

Raggedy Bits | Unique Creation By Anita | A Crafty Mix

Oh and if you’re looking for some of the things we used, we’ve got you covered Disclosure: Clicking on the links below, means we may receive a commission from Amazon. But don’t worry it won’t come out of your pocket, and it helps us come up with more amazing craft ideas to share with you 😉

Or if you prefer to buy rather than DIY.

As always, wishing you a wonderful, crafty week filled with lots of love. Please stay safe and look after yourself. And if you have any ideas on how we can help the less fortunate, I would love to hear about them too. Thank you for popping in for a visit.