Butterfly Present Toppers

We have been so happy to see a few butterflies on our walks, and with a gift of these fun coloured beads from Nan came the creation of our own little butterflies!

Materials

• Felt
• Tulle
• Sewing needle/embroidery floss
• Fabric scissors
• Beads
• Ribbon
• Fabric glue
• Smock
• Craft tray
• Paper & pencil

Directions

• Draw out a simple butterfly shape.  (Our original we cut out and used for a pattern, but here is something similar.)

• Cut out your shape and pin or tape it onto your felt.

• Cut out two copies of your butterfly and one body shape.

• Sew around the edges if you would like to add some detail.  You can do it by hand or with a sewing machine.  If you like, sew on brightly coloured beads for spots of colour.

• Lay your butterfly on top of folded layers tulle or another similar material. Cut out a square/rectangle a bit bigger than your butterfly.

• Put your second copy of your butterfly on the bottom, forming a butterfly sandwich of sorts with felt on the bottom, layers of tulle in the centre and a felt butterfly again on the top.  Be sure to line them up.

• Pretend to eat it!

•  Sew in the centre with a sewing machine or by hand with an adult or have them do it for you.

•  Trim around your edges, leaving a bit of tulle peeking out to form the “flutter” as our daughter described it!

•  Put a line of fabric glue down the centre and add your body.

•  Take a rectangle of felt (a bit smaller than the centre of your butterfly) and cut another rectangle going the distance across as shown.  Sew the edges by hand or with a machine. (This is where your ribbon will slide through!)

•  Put a bit of glue in the centre on the back of your butterfly.

•  Attach your felt rectangle.

•  We inserted a small roll of paper so that it wouldn’t accidentally glue together.  Our son thought this would be a great way to send a message too!

•  Allow to dry overnight and then slide your butterfly onto a piece of ribbon and attach it to a present, lending a playful touch!

Purpose

• Developing fine motor skills.

Safety Notes

• Use scissors and a needle with care and adult supervision.
• A sewing machine should be used by an adult or with direct supervision and instruction.
• Beads can be a choking hazard, therefore be sure to keep them out of the reach of children 0-3 or those that tend to put things in their mouths.
• Cord, floss, ribbon etc. can be a strangulation hazard, therefore be sure to use it for its intended purpose and with supervision.
• When using fabric glue it is recommended that you wear a smock and use a craft tray to prevent damage to your clothes and/or surfaces.