Today, I am sharing a tutorial for Butterfly Change-Ups…. A super fun accessory that can be interchanged from pants, shirts, and headbands. I guest posted this on Dolly Creates last month and have had several requests for more shapes. Hopefully soon!
My daughter Ainsley is 3 years old and she LOVES accessories that coordinate with her outfits. I came up with a super cute and easy way to add some flair to the clothes she already owns. The best part? It uses scrap fabrics, which I have a TON of!
My daughter Ainsley is 3 years old and she LOVES accessories that coordinate with her outfits. I came up with a super cute and easy way to add some flair to the clothes she already owns. The best part? It uses scrap fabrics, which I have a TON of!
Butterfly Change-Ups
Turn your basic clothing into unique, changeable pieces!
From plain…
To accessorized and interchangeable!
Supplies Needed:
*butterfly template (found HERE)
*scrap fabric
*scissors
*buttons
*clothing that you want to embellish
*thread
*sewing machine
*button hole foot
(optional items)
*fabric stiffener
*plastic wrap
*cardboard
Let’s make some butterflies!
Gather your supplies
I have included two sizes of butterflies in the printable templates. If you want larger or smaller, it is very easy to switch the printing percentages to get the size you want.
Grab the fabric, cut out your butterfly template and start cutting.
Cut as many as you would like. More butterflies are going to give a fuller end result, but they will also be heavier, so keep that in mind for the tshirts. I used 2-3 large butterflies for the tshirts, but 4-6 butterflies for the smaller accessories.
After cutting, stack them on top of each other.
Sew a button hole in the middle of the stack.
Do that with all your stacks of butterflies
Pick out the buttons you would like to use
And call over your little helper to see what buttons she would like
Sew the buttons onto your clothing items
I chose to sew a large button on the middle of the tank, a smaller button on the pocket of the shorts, and a small button on the elastic headband. Obviously, you can put the buttons wherever you would like.
Now, attach your butterfly change-ups wherever you would like!
Not only can you create different looks with the outfits and hair accessories, but they are all removable for washing purposes!
Optional
This step is totally optional, but I really like it because it gives the fabric more body. I use a “fabric stiffener” when I want my fabric to have some hold.
For this step, you need to grab the stiffener, plastic wrap, cardboard, and your fabric butterflies
Spritz each butterfly (and each layer) with a generous amount of fabric stiffener.
Once wet with the stiffener, lay each butterfly right side down over top of a tented piece of cardboard covered in plastic wrap. Let dry for at least an hour. You can speed up the process with a hair dryer. (the reason you lay it over the tented cardboard is to give it an angled shape!)
Repeat the process for all the butterflies
Once dry, they have a definitely starchy quality and they won’t flop around. Again, this step is totally optional!
Hope you guys enjoyed the tutorial!
Check back next week to see another butterfly tutorial on my blog
(sneak peek!)
Hayley
Hayley Crouse is a wife, mother and multifaceted designer. Her love of sewing, crafting, cooking and interior design infuses her daily life and naturally spills over into her online presence. She pushes the envelope of her creativity and hopes that others will be inspired to do the same. She currently authors the Welcome to the Mouse House Blog, is the pattern designer behind Mouse House Creations and is a collaborative designer with Willow & Co. Patterns.
Latest posts by Hayley (see all)
- Music Room: Home Tour - January 11, 2019
- The Ace Cardigan - July 30, 2018
- Susie Halter Top and Shorts: Project Run and Play - July 18, 2018
Love these….great idea!
I also love that floral top….did you make it? If so I’d love to know what the pattern is…..
Thanks 🙂
Thanks! Yes, I made the floral top. It is the Cece Pattern by Popolok Designs!
Great idea…will make for my girl too..sure she loves the butterflies 🙂
yes, butterflies are a huge hit around here!