Sunday, April 15, 2012

SCRAPPY BUTTERFLY WREATH

I made a scrappy butterfly wreath.  This may be my favorite project to date.

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I really enjoyed making this, even though it involved getting my sewing machine out.  I had to call my friend Judy and ask her to please pray for me because I hadn't used my sewing machine for like 12 years.  It was a $99 sewing machine to begin with and I had moved several times, so I wasn't too sure it would be cooperative.  Seriously, it took me longer to figure out how to thread my machine and bobbin, than it did to make the three little 1 1/2" straight stitches that I needed. 

The first thing I did was make those adorable scrappy little butterflies.  Here is a close up of them so you can see how cute they are with their wrinkly dimension:



To make these, I cut a template of three different sized butterflies and traced them on to some fabric.  I cut out 3 pieces of each size. 


Next, I crumpled each piece up into a little ball.

Now, this is the part that although it seems strange, will give your little butterflies some extra dimension......smash them down with a hot iron.  Just for a couple of seconds and don't move the iron around.  Just smash 'em.


Now that you have them all wrinkled and smashed, open them up, smooth them out and stack them up.  This is where the sewing machine comes in for it's 1 minute debut.  Sew a straight stitch down the center of each of your 3 stacked butterflies.


Time for a little embellishment!  Grab some cute buttons and sew them into the centers of each butterfly.


These sweet things have been wrinkled, hot-smashed, smoothed out, stitched up and embellished and now they need to be shown off!  Remember back on St. Patrick's Day when I made a burlap wreath?  If you missed that one, you can find it by clicking here.  I'm using that same burlap wreath base for this project.
I just took strips of burlap and pinned them on to a Styrofoam wreath.

I embellished that basic wreath with some yellow flowers and some yellow silk ribbon.  Then, I attached my scrappy little butterflies with straight pins.  You can't see them, because I only pinned the bottom layer. 

So here is my finished wreath.
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Oh......do you like that little stand holding my wreath???  It used to be this:

I had a pair of these leaves on some kind of resin base.  My mother-in-law got them for me.  One of them broke about 8 years ago.  I couldn't throw the base out.  My darling husband, Sam, cut the stem off and drilled out the center of the base.  Then he snapped a nail off and inserted it into the center.  My Styrofoam wreath slid right onto that nail spike with ease and when I'm tired of it....I'll just pop it right off.
I hope you enjoyed this tutorial.  I'm putting my sewing machine away now.
Maybe I won't wait 12 years to get her out again!!!
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45 comments:

  1. I wouldn't be too hasty in putting that sewing machine away. Who knows what you'll make next, if it handy! The wreath is really sweet and I'm pinning it. ~ Maureen

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  2. I really like your wreath and those butterflies are very cute. Nice sewing job, lol. That's funny that you haven't used your sewing machine for so many years and dragged it out for this wreath. I love how it turned out.

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  3. Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting on my "Charming Pillow" post...I think you did an awesome job on those butterflies...imagine the possibilities...they look fantastic on your lovely wreath. I hope your week ahead is great!

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  4. I love your wreath, it turned out so cute! Sew baby Sew!

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  5. I have to admit, when I first seen the title I was thinking "oh boy, some kind of cheesy wreath with dollar store wire butterflies" but then I scrolled on down and discovered that I am SUPER impressed by this! I love the details of the butterflies and just the whole darn thing! I am pinning this. I can't make a wreath to save me from anything, but I just might be able to make one like this and be proud of it.

    Oh, and I'm sure your sewing machine appreciated the attention! ;)

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  6. I love the yellow! So pretty! I would love for you to share this with my Unveil Your Genius link party! http://taylornorris.blogspot.com/2012/04/unveil-your-genius-link-party-6.html
    (New linky every Thursday...each linky runs for a week)

    Happy Sunday!

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  7. LOVE those cute little butterflies !

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  8. This is beautiful! I just adore those sweet scrappy butterflies! Thanks so much for sharing with the Pink Hippo party! Love seeing you each week!

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  9. This wreath is so cute and fresh! :)

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  10. Very cute! Well worth dragging that sewing machine out for! Lol!!! Thanks for linking up to Party Time at So Very Creative!

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  11. Danni, I Love, Love, Love this idea. Butterflies are one of my favorite things. With the stash of fabric and buttons I have, I could make butterflies in every color of the rainbow. Very creative. And keep that sewing machine out, you never know. Thanks for sharing and have a great week.

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  12. That looks so sweet! Such an awesome idea! I love the butterflies especially :)

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  13. This is really pretty! I really like the butterflies a lot.

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  14. This is one of the prettiest spring wreaths I have seen! I love those butterflies - and you SEWED! Great job & thanks for linking up.

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  15. What a wonderful wreat it realle brought out the feeling of spring.

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  16. Visiting from Talent Tuesday...
    I think I might actually be able to make my own wreath! Thanks!

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  17. Your wreath is really cut! I love the butterflies! Stopping by from Wow Us Wednesday.

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  18. Actually looks like the butterflies are flying! Love it and it also got two thumbs up from my 4 year old! I love the iron comment, made me laugh out loud. Thanks so much for commenting on my ikea chairs. I love meeting new bloggers and seeing how they can inspire me.
    Kim@reposhture.blogspot.com

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  19. Oh I miss sewing! I have a sewing machine and no peddle. Looks like you have a real nice one. You did an awesome job on this project. I never really use to be into wreaths all that much until I discovered Pinterest, lol and now I want to try making one myself. I love the little butterflies...super-cute!

    I'm Sarah, I'm a new follower from Make the Scene Monday following via GFC, Linky Followers, Pinterest and Bloglovin. If you get a chance, I'd love for you to stop by and check out my blog Skylar. If you want you can follow back.

    http://skylarinc.blogspot.com/


    Thanks and have an awesome day!

    Sarah

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  20. that is adorable!! great job!

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  21. This is a very pretty wreath and hopefully just the inspiration I need to get my spring wreath made and hung on the door. Great job!

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  22. I love the wreath!! The butterflies are so pretty on it! Thanks so much for sharing this as well at Thursday's Temptation.
    Jill

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  23. This is gorgeous! I love the yellow color and the sweet little butterflies :)

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  24. I'm not really a wreath person, but those little butterflies would be adorable on the fat quarter bags I'm making for Operation Christmas Child boxes! Thanks for sharing.

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  25. What a beautiful wreath! I love the colors that you chose to incorporate. Megan

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  26. Gorgeous wreath and I love it on the equally fabulous stand!

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  27. very pretty love the wreath it is so spring like

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  28. this is to cute..love the burlap and the butterflies!
    Sarah@budgetfriendlydecorating

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  29. This wreath is so pretty and I am so in love with the butterflies! Thanks so much for sharing it with us and I can't wait to see what you are up to next! Maybe another sewing project?

    Take care,

    Trish

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  30. I ADORE these butterflies, Danni! Featuring them on Facebook right now! http://www.facebook.com/pages/Igottacreate/100573240032625?sk=wall

    Thanks so much for linking up to The Mother Lode party over at I Gotta Create!
    <3 Christina

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  31. Congrats on the feature!
    Kim@reposhture.blogspot.com

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  32. wanted you to know that we featured this on our facebook page today! :)

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  33. That wreath looks great. Thanks for sharing this great idea with us at The Sunday Round Up.
    Rose
    @ http://www.arosiesweethome.com/

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  34. Keep the sewing machine OUT!!! I always get more sewing done if I leave it out where I can see it! I love your wreath. The colors and the burlap are great together. Thanks so much for sharing with us at Link It Up Thursday.

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  35. I love the butterflies. I'm petrified of sewing so I'll have to see if it will work with my good ole glue gun. Thanks so much for sharing at Whimsy Wednesdays!

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  36. Love your wreath. The butterflies are darling! We are so happy to have you link up to our "Strut Your Stuff Saturday." We hope you'll be back!! -The Sisters

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  37. I love your wreath tutorial! I also wanted to let you know I nominated you for the Liebster Award! you can check out the details on my blog! http://thecraftyhousewife.blogspot.com/2012/05/liebster-award.html#links

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  38. That's really cool Danni , I love your butterflies.

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  39. Now that is a unique way to make butterflies! But I love them, I have to pin this so I don't forget. Thanks Danni!
    Debbie :)

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  40. What pretty little butterflies! 'Smash them, huh? You are so very clever! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures

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  41. I love the butterflies you made. They look great on your wreath. Thanks so much for sharing your creations on the Spring Craft Blog Hop. I've enjoyed having a look at them.

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  42. Another beautiful one!! Loving the use of buttons...now I have a thing to do with those ones that have no friends! :) #SCBH2015

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