Aimee Ray's Blog, page 14

Make an embroidered mandala dreamcatcher

Hi Lovelies! Today I'm going to show you how to make your own embroidered dreamcatcher. I've made lots of these and they are each unique and different, you can use these techniques to create your own, one of a kind hoop art.
The embroidery I'm using is my Mini Mandala printed fabric sampler! You can stitch one up in your favorite colors, they are available in my shop at www.littledear.etsy.com

You'll need a wooden embroidery hoop, stitched fabric, a variety of ribbons, yarn and trims to match (the more the better) and white craft glue. (My Mini Mandala Sampler fits perfectly into a 4 inch hoop.)

Start by stretching your embroidered fabric tightly onto the hoop, making sure the design is centered. Trim the fabric around the edge to about 3/4 inch, spread some craft glue on the inside of the center hoop, and fold and press the fabric around the back. 

Let it dry completely, and then you can remove the outer hoop. As you can see, I don't try too hard to keep my backsides very neat and tidy. :) If you like, you can cut a circle of white felt to fit inside the hoop and cover the back. 

Choose a 1/2 to 3/4 inch ribbon to wrap the outer hoop with. Wrap and glue the end of the ribbon to the top of the hoop next to the screw, spread a thin layer of glue along the edge of the hoop and begin wrapping the ribbon around the hoop at a slight angle. Overlap the edges of the ribbon just a bit and continue glueing and wrapping until you reach the other end of the screw. Secure the end with a pin or clip until it dries.

Now you get to create the tail of the dreamcatcher! You have a lot of freedom here, choose your favorite materials and make it as long or short, and as full as you like. Since my hoop is small, I decided to make the tail on this one fairly short at about 12 inches. Begin by selecting a wide or distinctive trim or ribbon for the center and cut a piece twice as long as you want the tail to be.To attach each piece of the tail, fold it in half at the center, put the loop through the hoop, then pull the two ends through the loop and pull it tightly making a knot around the hoop.

Some ribbons and yarns will hold with just a knot, but some, especially thin or satin ribbons may come loose. You can secure them tightly by adding a tiny stitch or two through the knot right beneath the hoop. 

Make sure your center piece is directly below the screw and then continue adding more pieces to either side. I like to vary and alternate textures and colors as much as possible! You can also add braided or crocheted strands. Make it full of tactile interest. Once the tail is as wide and full as you like and each piece is knotted and secured, unscrew the screw and replace the embroidery art in the outer hoop.
Chances are your tail strands are uneven, so hang up your dreamcatcher and trim them to the lengths you need. I like to leave the center ones longest, and cut the side ones a bit shorter, creating a V shape at the bottom.

Now it's time to add some feathers. You can, of course use real ones, but I like to make my own from paper or felt. You can add some splashes of paint to watercolor paper to match your color scheme. (It's best to paint before cutting.) Then cut out your feather shapes and stitch them directly onto the ends of some of the ribbons of the tail.

You can also add beads, tassels, pompoms or any other charms you like to your tail.

Here is my finished dreamcatcher! I hope you'll enjoy making your own. Let me know if you find this tutorial useful, I would love to see what you make!xo aimee

spooky sisters

new spooky sisters are at little dear! Frida and Katrina are waiting for new homes (I kind of hope they'll maybe go to the same one! They seem to belong together.) www.littledear.etsy.com
xo aimee

new patterns

Two all new felt sewing patterns are at little dear! Mythical Creatures (Set 3) and Spirit Creatures are instant download PDF files waiting for you at www.littledear.etsy.com

These "Spirit Creatures" are inspired by some of my favorite Native American stories. Who is your favorite?

Don't forget to look for the other 2 sets in the Mythical Creatures series! I've always love fantasy and myths so much, this is such a fun group to stitch up.
Have fun!xo aimee

new little dear dolls!

Three new girls are in the shop tonight! Who is your favorite? Choose a bohemian gypsy, a deer girl or bunny girl.www.littledear.etsy.com
xo aimee

Free solar eclipse pattern!

Who else is excited about the solar eclipse happening on Monday?? I've never seen a total eclipse before and I can't wait to see it. So in anticipation, I've created this free eclipse embroidery pattern to share with you! (you can download the pattern at the end of this post. :)

This is a simple and fun project that you can stitch up in a few hours and use in a variety of ways to create your own little piece of history.I used a scrap of navy batik that reminded me of a night sky, with pale grey and aqua floss. Looking closely, you can see I used pretty basic stitches, split stitch and straight stitches for the lines, and long and short stitch for the solid areas. If you need a tutorial on that one (along with another moon pattern), check here! I'm not sure what I'll do with mine yet, but it is a lovely little momento of a super cool and special event.


I hope you'll stitch up your own version of my eclipse pattern, and will be able to see it on Monday, August 21! Be sure and tag me @aimee_littledear on Instagram if you post pictures!Have fun. xo aimee
(click to enlarge and download pattern.)

hoop in a hoop

I've just listed a new dream catcher in the shop! I've been seeing this 'hoop within a hoop' technique lately and I had to try it out and put my own spin on it. :) It was so much fun to put together and I love how it turned out! This is such a unique piece and is the perfect addition to your special solace space. Find this, and other one of a kind embroidered dream catchers at www.littledear.etsy.com
xo aimee

new animal dolls

A sweet little owl, fox and rabbit are waiting at the shop for their new homes! www.littledear.etsy.com
xo aimee

new embroidery samplers! (and get one free!)

little dear embroidery samplers have arrived!! I've been working long hours on these lovelies and I'm so excited to finally roll them out to you. Three printed fabric samplers are new in the shop and waiting for you to stitch up. 


"Sloths and Moths" and "Autumn Love" are 8 inch, full color printed designs on high quality cotton fabric. They will come to you with instruction sheets detailing stitches and colors to use. 

"Mini Mandala" is a little 4 inch pattern printed in grey lines so you can use your favorite colors! It comes with stitch guides and diagrams as well as some color palettes to try out. 
For a limited time, all embroidery sampler and embroidery kit orders from www.littledear.etsy.com will come with a FREE mini mandala sampler! Order yours today and start stitching.

mermaid dolls at little dear

I just finished two new mermaid dolls and they are waiting at little dear for you. Una is adorned in greys and silvers with an intricate narwhal design and horn headband. Merin is covered with pretty stitched flowers and carries her merbaby Minnow in a lace netted sling.
Mermaids have always been my favorite and I love making them! Catch one today before they swim away.www.littledear.etsy.com
xo aimee

dream catchers

Have you seen my newest embroidered dream catchers at little dear? These are so dear to my heart, I absolutely love making them. 

My dream catchers incorporate many of my favorite elements, woodland animals, plants, mandala motifs and my unique dream catcher stitching technique that I developed. (You can find a little tutorial for how I create it here on my blog!) 
These one of a kind wall hangings are available now at www.littledear.etsy.comDo you have a perfect wall space or special, solace corner you might hang one in?
xo aimee