Supplies: 4 silk shantung squares that are 2.5″ x 2.5″, 11/0 sized glass beads, glass beads size 20lneedle, thread the same color as the fabric, 2 head pins, not shown: hot glue gun, Crafter’s Picks glue or similar to help adhere beads to fabric
Take the first square and place it in front of you.
Fold the square in half diagonally. Press the folded edge down.
With the right angle pointing towards you, bring the two corners of the folded edge to the right angle so that you create a square.
The new shape should look like the photo above.
Use a binder clip to momentarily hold the shape in place.
Fold the square in half diagonally as shown above both ways, making sure to press down on the folded edges. This will give you guiding lines for the next steps
Turn the shape up side down making sure to keep the original right angle pointed towards you. Then using the new guidelines created from the step above, place a dab of hot glue on the right corner.
Bring the right corner and line it up to the center of the square as shown above.
Repeat on the the other side until you have created the new shape as shown above.
This is what it should look like on the right side up.
Fold the shape in half as shown above.
Use a binder clip to hold the new shape in place.
Repeat the process for the second square to create the second bottom wing.
Working with one wing at a time, remove the binder clip.
Cut off the tip of the wing.
To create a straight edge as shown above.
Finally secure the wing by passing the needle and thread through all the layers and double knot it.
Cut the needle and thread off the wing and set the wing aside. Repeat on the other side.
Now for the top pointed wings, place the first square in front of you.
Fold the square in half diagonally. Press the folded edge down.
Fold the newly created triangle in half to create a smaller triangle as shown above.
Fold the triangle in half again and press on the folded edge.
Open it up to show the fold line
Bring the right edge and line it up to the center fold line.
Repeat on the other side to create an up side down kite shape.
Fold the kite shape in half so that the center where the two edges meet is on top. Make any necessary adjustments so that both edges line up with the folded center edge.
This is what it should look like from the bottom.
Cut off the back tip to create a straight edge as shown above,
Finish off, by stitching and double knotting as shown above.
Here are all four wings done.
Nest take a bottom and top wing and line them up along the cut edge.
Attach the two wings together with a little assist from a needle and thread.
This is what it will look like.
use the tips of your fingers to shape the wings. Voila. Repeat no the other side.
Add a dab of hot glue between the top and bottom wings and hold in place until the glue hardens. Repeat on the other sides.
Clean up the top and bottom wings. I find that it is easier to seal off the errant threads by adding a thin coating of hot glue.
Now time to adhere the right and left sides together. Add a dab of hot glue between the top and bottom wings on one side.
Stick the two sides together and set aside. If you need to, add a dab of glue to adhere the top wings together and then the bottom wings.
This what it will look like. Set aside.
Its bead time. Grab a few of the smallest beads.
Place the beads on the head pins.
Both head pins beaded.
I find it is easier to twist the head pins right at the point where the beads end. It makes easier to add the bigger beads on the two wires. Just twist 2 or 3 times.
This is what it should look like.
Add the bigger beads.
I found the 4 bigger beads were the perfect number for my butterfly.
Use pliers to create loops on both ends.
This helps to keep the beads from falling off the head pins as well as protect from the sharp edges.
All the beads attached and ready to be adhered to the butterfly
Its tacky glue time.
Add the tacky glue to the center of the butterfly with a toothpick.
Carefully attach the beaded antennae and then allow time for the glue to cure. Once done, you can attach the butterfly to a headband or broach or whatever you want.