Pollinator Pillows – Butterfly

Pattern Markings

Transfer all pattern markings to the fabric using a disappearing ink pen or tailors chalk.

Using the manufacturer’s instructions, apply interfacing to the wrong side of both Antennae

To make a pompom, take a length of fingering weight yarn. (Approximately the length of one’s hand to crook of elbow, or the amount that gives the desired fullness to the pompom.)

Using a fork as a guide, weave the yarn around the tines of the fork, finishing by tying the ends around the center of the weaving.

Slide the bundle off the fork and clip the ends to create a pompom.

Fluff the pompom up and make sure to leave tails of about 3 inches to tuck inside the Antennae.

Repeat steps 1.1 to 1.2 for second pompom.

Fold Antennae in half lengthwise and press.

Fold it in half again and press.

You will have a thin narrow tube when you are finished.

Tuck the tail from your pompom into the Antennae tube and pin in place.

Stitch the long edge closed, using a ⅛ inch seam allowance, straight stitch and then back stitch at the beginning and end of each seam

Stitch the top edge of the Antennae at ⅛ inch seam allowance, making sure that your pompom is well secured.

Repeat steps 1.4 to 1.8 for the second Antennae.

Place two Wings right sides together and pin all around, leaving a 2-inch gap on the bottom edge for the turning.

Stitch around at ½ inch seam allowance, back tacking at the beginning and end of your seams.

Clip the curved edges of Wings to ensure that they do not pucker.

NOTE – clip into the seam allowance along the curves, being careful not to clip into the stitching.

Turn Wing right side out and press.

Repeat steps 2.1 to 2.4 to create the second Wing.

Place Body right side up.

Place Antennae on their markings, facing down the body of the butterfly in order to sandwich the raw edges into the seam.

Baste using a ¼ inch seam allowance.

Pin the Wings to the Body at the markings, right sides together.

Roll Wings up so that they will both fit inside the butterfly body while the outer seam is sewed.

Place the other Body on top, right side down, making sure that Antennae and Wings are tucked inside. Pin them together, leaving the bottom of the butterfly open for turning.

Stitch around the body using a straight stitch at ½ inch seam allowance.

NOTE – Be careful to catch the ends of the antennae and the wing edges inside the seam

Clip curves.

NOTE – Clip into the seam allowance along the curves, being careful not to clip into the stitching.

Turn butterfly right side out and press.

Stuff each of the wings full with lots of filling

Use a slipstitch (also called a ‘ladder stitch’) to stitch the gap on both wings closed.

Fold your fabric under by ½ inch. You will be stitching along this folded edge.

Thread your needle, tying the two thread tail ends together in a knot. This will provide added strength to your finished seam.

Push the needle up and through one of the folded seams, from the inside of the lining to the outside, pulling the thread tail completely through.

The knotted end will now be nicely concealed within the seam on the inside.

Directly across from your starting point, push the needle down and then back up through the fold on the opposite seam fold to create a stitch that is between ⅛ to ¼ inch long. When the thread is pulled through, the stitch is concealed within the seam crease, and there will be a horizontal stitch connecting the left and right sides of the opening

Repeat to the end of the opening. To tighten the stitches, gently pull the thread. This will conceal the stitches in between the seams.

To end, create a loop for your needle to pass through by picking up a tiny section of the opposite seam and passing the needle through the loop. Tighten to form a knot. Reinforce the stitching as needed by repeating this step

Poke the needle back into the fabric next to your stitching and pull it all the way through to the other side.

Pull the thread taut and snip it close to the fabric. Allow the thread tail to slip back inside the Bee Body so that the tail is now hidden inside.

NOTE – The stitches have been left loose in this picture to show what the ladder stitch looks like. Pull the thread through and taut after each stitch.

NOTE – The pictures do not depict the Bee Pillow being sewn, however the construction is the same.

Stuff the body of the butterfly making sure that it is nice and full. Close the gap on the bottom of the butterfly by using a ladder stitch.

Fluff up the butterfly and give it a squeeze!

Congratulations! Your Butterfly Pillow is now complete!