With the Big Butterfly Count in full swing we thought we’d share with you a fun butterfly quilt block. You can make one for a cushion cover or stash bust and make a host of beautiful butterflies for a quilt. So why not have a go!
BUTTERFLY QUILT BLOCK
To make one butterfly block you will need:
BACKGROUND FABRIC (White)
2 – 6.25″x6.25″ Squares (Block Surround)
2 – 2″ x 2″ Squares (Top Wings)
6 – 1.5″ x 1.5″ Squares (Top and Bottom Wings)
1 – 1″ x 1.25″ (Body)
1 – 1″ x 1.75″ (Body)
TOP WINGS (Pink)
2 – 3.25″ x 4″
BOTTOM WINGS (Blue)
2 – 3.25″ x 3″
BODY (Black)
1 – 1″ x 4.5″
- With a fabric marker, draw a diagonal line across the smaller background (white) squares and lay them out as shown in the picture below and pin. Then stitch along your diagonal lines.
Then stitch the background fabric to the top and bottom of the butterfly’s body
- Once stitched cut off the corners of your squares leaving a quarter inch seam.
- Flip your fabric over and press your seams. With right-sides together and bottom edges matched, stitch your upper and lower wings together. Open and press your seams.
- Sew your wings to each side of your butterfly’s body. Try to keep the wings level.
You are almost there!
- Next take the two large squares and cut them in half diagonally.
- To find the centre of the long edge of your triangle fold in half and crease with your fingers. Now find the centre of all your butterfly block’s sides using the same method.
- Place your triangle along the top edge of your butterfly, centring it with your creased marks, pin and stitch. Repeat for the bottom edge.
Trim off the excess fabric, back to the edges of your butterfly block.
- Centre your remaining triangles along the two sides, pin and stitch.
Then open and press, et voilà!
Finish by trimming your block to 9.5″ square.
You can change the dimension of your block by varying the size of your large background squares.