How To Make

3D BUTTERFLY

3D Freestanding Lace (FSL) Butterfly Tutorial

A finished 3D freestanding lace butterfly with detached wings, embroidered onto a garment.

Included Files

The design folder includes two separate files for this project:

  1. Butterfly: This file contains the butterfly wings. This part should be stitched first on a water-soluble stabilizer.
  2. Butterfly Body: This file is used to stitch the butterfly's body and attach the finished wings to your chosen item.

Stitching Instructions

Step 1: Create the Butterfly Wings

First, stitch the "Butterfly" file (the wings) on water-soluble stabilizer. Once the embroidery is complete, rinse the piece thoroughly to dissolve the stabilizer, and then lay it flat to dry completely.

The finished FSL butterfly wings, washed and dried, ready for attachment.

Step 2: Attach the Wings

Hoop the item where you will be placing the butterfly (for example, a shirt or a bag). Load the "Butterfly Body" file and stitch the first color stop, which is the placement line for the wings.

A placement outline for the butterfly stitched onto the main project fabric.

Place the finished FSL butterfly wings right inside the stitched shape, aligning them with the placement line.

The FSL butterfly wings positioned correctly within the placement outline.

It is helpful to use tape to ensure the wings stay flat and in position while stitching.

The butterfly wings taped securely in place before stitching the body.

Step 3: Stitch the Body

Return the hoop to the machine and continue with the design. The final steps will stitch the butterfly's body, which will permanently attach the wings to your item.

The completed 3D butterfly with the body stitched over the wings, attaching them to the fabric.

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