{D.I.Y Tutorial} Applique Embroidered Butterfly wall art

Have you noticed how embroidery hoop wall art is becoming very popular? I see is all over the web and think that it's such a wonderful use of embroidery hoops for frames. I decided to come up with a tutorial to make your own embroidery hoop wall art.

Would you like to learn how to make this quick and simple butterfly wall art? It's the last tutorial in my butterfly theme and we'll move onto other things.

I forgot to add PVA glue, or something similar to attach material to wood.

Step 1: Download and print your free Red Brolly PDF butterfy template (you can also click on the image below). Place the template under a sheet of Vliesofix, making sure the paper side of the vliesofix is on top. Using a light box, or holding up to the glass on the window, trace around the butterflies onto the vliesofix. Roughly cut out around shapes.

 
Step 2: Once you have traced around your butterfly onto the vliesofix and have roughly cut out the shape, place vliesofix butterfly onto felt-paper side facing up. With a hot iron, press the vliesofix onto the felt. Carefully cut out around butterfly.

Step 3: Peel off paper from butterfly. Place butterfly shape onto the fabric you are using for the background. I've used some of the gorgeous fabric from the "Bella Butterfly" range by Patty Sloniger. Iron onto the background fabric with a hot iron. Ensure that the "glue" side of the felt is placed facing down onto the background fabric...otherwise you'll end up with a butterfly stuck to the underside of your iron!

  This is what you'll now have. One butterfly shape now glued onto the background fabric.

Now you just need to repeat the above steps with the second, inside wing layer of the butterfly.

Step 4: Next select the colour of felt for the inner wing and repeat the same steps. There are 2 inner wing shapes to choose from. Again, trace around the shape onto vliesofix using a lightbox or window. Roughly cut out shape from vliesofix. Iron shape, paper side up, onto felt. Cut out shape. Peel paper off.

Next, place the inner wing shape on top of the outer wing shape. Make sure they are lined up in the middle of the butterfly. Press into place using a hot iron.

Step 5: Repeat above steps with the body shape of the butterfly.

Once you have the body shape, place the shape in the centre, on top of the inner and outer wings of the butterfly. Make sure the head is placed just to the top of the wings...so the "neck" part matches with the top of the outer wing. When you are sure it is centred, iron into place.

Voila! Finished.....almost. Just the framing left to do, and embroidery...should you wish.

Step 6: Take your butterfly and insert your fabric into the embroidery hoop, so your butterfly is centred. Tighten. Trim a 2cm edge around the hoop.

Step 7: Turn the embroidery hoop over and along the inner rim of the hoop, place a strip of PVA glue (or something similar) along the edge. Take the excess overhang of material and fold over the inner rim, towards the centre. Press down firmly, ensuring it remains taut. Leave to dry.

Once dry, it's ready to hang. You can leave it as it is...or you can add some embroidery to add a something little extra.

Here's what they look like without embroidery.

Here's some examples of different embroidery stitching you can do. I did most of the stitching with 2 strands of thread, except for the stitching on the body and the shading on the wings- where I used a single strand.

Firstly, it looks really nice if you backstitch some antenna.

Here's some alternative stitching on another butterfly...

Or use shading to add extra designs to the wings.

I also thought that some colonial knots would look great too. Now, I know you all know how to do colonial knots since I gave you a tutorial on how to stitch them!

 

Comments

[Says Anita Kroll]

Cute! I can see visuals in my head for some ideas using hoops. Love all of ur projects.

[Says Heleen Groot]

Great. I'm just a bit busy right now....with one of your other projects! It is a keeper though!

[Says JuneA**]

Love this, thank you so much for sharing!

[Says Barb]

Just gorgeous Bronwyn will have to get my fat stash out and give this a go :) Barb.

[Says Barb]

OOOooppps I meant felt stash LOL :) Barb.

[Says Bronwyn]

What a beautiful idea Bron. I can see other shapes like cats and dogs would also be suitable, Keep up the great work.

[Says Fiona]

those are just lovely.... perfect for spring time...
Hugz

[Says Anorina @ Samelias Mum]

Beautiful! Perfect for my little girl (who turns 5 in 2 weeks). Thanks for the inspiration.

[Says Le rat des fils]

Beautiful ! Thank you.

[Says Carolyn]

oh those are cute, but i loved the cat and the mice best!!!

[Says Kay]

I have to make this for a friend that married in June and had a butterfly theme at her wedding, they are so lovely. Thank you.

[Says Bronwyn ...]

                      
Hi Kay-
  What a great idea!  I love the theme of a butterfly wedding. How beautiful.
  And a great idea to make some of these butterfly wall hoops as a memento for your friend.
  Cheers-
                       Bronwyn ...
                    www.red-brolly.com
                  
                        
               

[Says Bronwyn ...]

Hi Carolyn-
  Ha, ha, ha- Brutus is the best! And fancy him coercing those poor mice into helping him with his butterfly plan!

                      

                    www.red-brolly.com
                  
                        
               

[Says Bronwyn ...]

Hi Anorina-
  You're so very creative! Your blog is gorgeous.
 I expect you'll be having all sorts of variations on this theme!

                      

                    www.red-brolly.com
                  
                        
               

[Says francoise47]

merci pour ces si jolis desseins offerts si gentiment.Amitié.Francoise47 France

[Says Isangel]

Que bellas!!! Muchas gracias por el tutorial, esta genial!!

[Says wall art]

That's very creative, the design is so girly I like it. I hope I can see more desig soon. Thanks for sharing your wonderful idea.

[Says nancy]

hi bronwyn,

i used this link to show my readers this gorgeous tutorial!

you can find my post here:

http://samtundsahne.blogspot.de/2012/10/diy-die-etwas-andere-applikation.html

hope you don´t mind...
please let me know if it is ok for you!

yours from germany

nancy

[Says Kathy Stewart]

So cute. Thank you for sharing. I love your ideas

[Says catia garcia]

I LOVED YOUR BLOG, THANKS SO MUCH !