Ribbon Butterfly

Ribbon Butterflies

Project designed by Pat DeSantis.

Bright colored butterflies are so much fun, and these make a great craft activity for kids.

Materials:

For two butterflies:
1-1/2 yards of 1-1/2" wide double-faced satin ribbon
wire flower stamen - short, tiny wire with small bead at the end available from floral department of arts and craft stores
two old-fashioned wooden clothespins (without springs)
two twist ties - the type from bread bags
paint in various bright colors
paint brush
glue

Steps:

Paint the clothespins with the bright-colored paint. Set aside to dry. Note: You may need two coats.
Bend the wire flower stamen slightly to form the antennae. Insert a straight pin into head of each clothespin to make holes for the antennae. Make two small holes in each pin head. Dab glue at the holes in the clothespin head and attach antennae.
To make wings, cut two lengths of ribbon. Cut an 11" length for top wings and a 9" length for bottom wings.
For each length of ribbon, overlap the ribbon ends and glue in place, forming a ring.
Repeat step 4 for all ribbon lengths. You will have a small ring and a large ring for each butterfly.
With the glued ribbon sections in the center, gather one small and one large ring together at the center. Hold the rings securely and fasten together with the twist tie to form the butterfly wings.
Slip the wired center of the ribbon wings into the bottom of the clothespin, placing the larger wings at the top.
Embellish the wings in bright paint colors if desired. Circles and loop patterns work best.

Tips:

Use as a decoration on a potted plant. Glue the butterflies to the pot, or glue them to a stick to use as a plant poke.

To make a smaller version of the butterfly, use a smaller width of ribbon to construct the wings as described above. Use wired cord to construct a body and antennae. Cut a 6" to 7" length of wired cord. Knot the wire cord ends, then double the cord center over to the appropriate size needed for the butterfly body. Glue the body to the wings, keeping the larger wings on top to create the butterfly.

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