Giant Organza Butterfly Template and Tutorial

Find out How to Create a Giant Organza Butterfly With This Free Template and Step by Step Tutorial

In this tutorial, I’m sharing all of my secrets to making these stunning giant fabric butterflies, which have quickly become a party decor favorite!

Add these gorgeous butterflies to any event to add a special touch of whimsy to your event!

A few months ago, my daughter asked me to make these giant butterflies for her. When I couldn’t find a tutorial for these butterflies, I got busy and started testing out different methods to create the best organza butterfly.

After much trial and error (and a few sad butterfly attempts 🤣), I’m finally sharing everything I learned along the way so you can create them, too!

Table of Contents

What Size is The Finished Giant Organza Butterfly?

The finished butterfly measures about 24" across and 16" from top to bottom. You can shrink or increase the size of the template if you'd like to make a different size.

What Fabric is Best for Making Giant Butterflies?

For this tutorial, I used transparent organza with shimmer. However, you could use any lightweight and smooth fabric to create this butterfly.

The stiffer the fabric, the better it will be for this project! If you can't find a stiff organza, I'll share an easy way to add structure to your fabric!

I think having transparency with the fabric makes the butterfly look extra special. However, you could try anything! I think this could be neatly made out of crepe paper to match my Crepe Paper Flowers.

You can select any color you like. You can also choose a neutral base color and add shading to the edges of the butterfly with a floral spray as I did.

Is Stiffen Stuff Fabric Spray Necessary?

If your fabric is floppy, you'll absolutely want to use stiffening spray to add some structure to it. I tried making a butterfly without stiffening spray, and the results were somewhat laughable. The wings looked saggy and unprofessional.

When selecting a stiffening spray, look for one that dries crystal clear and won't turn your fabric yellow. I'll link to my favorite one in the supply list!

What’s the Best Type of Adhesive to Use for This Project?

My favorite adhesive for this specific project is E6000. I always purchase the jewelry version from Amazon because it has a special detailed fine tip point that makes applying it neat and mess-free. The normal E6000 tip is a bit too wide, and it's harder to control how much comes out when you use it.

This adhesive is a great tacky consistency, so it secures to the fabric nicely, and it dries crystal clear.

I also tested out using a fine-tip hot glue gun, and the results weren't great. After a few weeks, the fabric started to separate from the glue, and the wings looked sloppy.

Crafting a Giant Butterfly with Organza Fabric

How Can This Giant Butterfly Be Used?

This butterfly can be used in a variety of decorative ways! Use them to decorate a baby shower, add a magical touch to a birthday party, or as wall decor in a bedroom.

Use the wings as a costume for Halloween or cosplay for a whimsical-inspired outfit.

Incorporate them into a floral arrangement at a wedding for a romantic touch.

It pairs perfectly with the giant organza flowers I made a few months back. I also like to pair them with my crepe paper flowers to add a bit of sparkle to my arrangements.

How to Make a Giant Standing Organza Fabric Flower

How to Make Giant Crepe Paper Poppy Flowers

Large Crepe Paper Daisy Flower Tutorial

Why Shop Through My Links?

When you shop through my affiliate links, it doesn't cost you anything extra, but it helps me out in a big way! I earn a small commission from those purchases, and that support allows me to continue creating and sharing free tutorials and patterns for you. Thank you so much for helping me keep this creative community going!

Giant Butterfly Supply List

Shop the Organza Butterfly Amazon List HERE!

Optional

DOWNLOAD THE FREE BUTTERFLY TEMPLATE HERE!

Step One: Print Off the Organza Butterfly Template

First, download and print out the Giant Butterfly PDF Template.

Once you've downloaded the template, print out 4 pages.

Once you've finished printing, collect the four numbered pages and check the test square on the first page to ensure it measures 1 inch.

If the test square doesn't measure one inch, reprint it using the "Actual Size" option in print settings or adjust the scaling until the square measures one inch. If it's one inch, you can tape the template together in order 1 through 4, lining up the stars as you go.

The template includes a Top Butterfly Wing and a Bottom Butterfly Wing.

Cut out the wings by cutting along the outer black line.

Free Giant Butterfly Printable PDF Tutorial Pattern and Template

Step Two: Stiffen the Fabric and Cut the Template

The first step is to spray your fabric with a stiffening spray. I used Aleene's Stiffen Quick.This is a clear drying formula that adds a heavy hold to your fabric, which allows the fabric to stand up straight without folding onto itself.

Keep in mind that this spray is a temporary hold and if the fabric gets wet the stiffness will wash away.

Lay out a large plastic tarp to protect your work area from the spray. Lay out your fabric on top of the plastic. Ensure that the fabric is completely flat. Thoroughly spray the entire length of fabric with a stiffening spray from 6-8 inches away.

Allow the fabric to dry completely before cutting it. I prefer doing this part outside in the sun so that it dries faster. Typically, it only takes about an hour.

If your fabric needs additional stiffness, spray it with a second coat after the first coat has dried completely.

Once your fabric has dried, fold it into fourths and place your two templates on top of the fabric. Use craft clips or sewing pins to secure the template to the fabric to ensure it doesn't shift during the cutting process.

Cut out 4 pieces of fabric for each wing template for a total of 8 wings.

If your wings have any wrinkling to them, be sure to iron them. They should be as flat and smooth as possible.

Step Three: Create a Butterfly Wire Frame

Using the template, gently bend and shape four pieces of wire to fit each wing wire guideline. Each piece of wire should meet together at the very base of the wing to create extra support.

I like to bend multiple wires at the same time for multiple wings to speed up this process.

Flip the wire over and apply a small thin line of E6000 to the backside of the wire. Only apply the adhesive to the portion of the wire that will be secured to the fabric. The portion of the wire that extends past the end of the butterfly wing does not need any adhesive.

Flip the wire back over and place it on top of the fabric wing. The wires should be secured to the backside of the wing. Run your finger on top of the wire along the entire length pressing downward to secure it to the fabric.

Once all four wires have been secured to the fabric, add extra adhesive along the base of the wires to secure them together. This gives the wing extra strength and prevents the wing from falling apart.

Repeat this process on the remaining wings. Allow the adhesive to dry completely before moving to the next step.

Trim the excess wires that extend past the fabric down to 2".

Tips & Tricks

It's helpful to have a silicone mat underneath the fabric during this step to protect your surface from the adhesive.

I've tested several adhesives, including hot glue, and E6000 always gives me the best results!

Step Four: Add Details

Now it's time to add detail to your butterfly wing to bring it to life! You can do this in a variety of ways so it's up to you to get creative and make this project your own!

I chose to add a colorful spray along the edges of the butterfly wing using a translucent floral spray. You may have seen me use this pray in my Crepe Paper Poppy and Daisy tutorial.

You can also paint the wings with diluted fabric dye and use dye that's specifically made for a synthetic fabric.

Once the dye dried completely, I added in rhinestones to make the wings sparkle. If you place the wings outside for an event, this makes them look stunning in the sun!

To do this, fill a rhinestone tray with rhinestones, gently shake the tray back and forth to help the rhinestones turn right side up.

Flip the wing so the right side of the fabric is facing upward (the wires should be on the backside). Apply small dots of adhesive along the length of the wires. Using a rhinestone picker (I like the beeswax side), pick up an individual rhinestone and place it on the adhesive. Gently press it downward to help secure it in place. Repeat this process along the entire wing.

You can also add in some randomly placed rhinestones along the outer edges of the wings. Repeat this process with the remaining wings. Let the adhesive dry completely before moving on to the next step to prevent the rhinestones from becoming damaged.

Step Five: Assemble Butterfly Body

Create the antenna by adding a few pearls to the very end of a 16" piece of wire. You can secure them in place by adding adhesive inside of the bead.

Create the butterfly's body by trimming down a piece of wire to about 5-6" in length. Add pearls to the wire and secure them in place with adhesive. Cut away any excess wire from the body.

Join the Wings Together

Now it's time to join the wings together. Lay the butterfly wings out in front of you on a flat surface.

Place the wing along the edge of the table (right side facing upward) and bend the excess wire that extends off of the fabric downward.

Top Wings

Slightly overlap the left and right wings and secure them together with hot glue. I like to angle the second set of wings, which will be the bottom pair, so they fan outward more than the top for an offset look.

Bottom Wings

Place the wings facing downward and bring the wires together. Secure them together with hot glue. Repeat this with the second set of bottom wings.

Stack Wings

Stack the top wings on top of each other and secure them in place with hot glue.

Repeat this process with the bottom wings.

If your wires extend more than 2" from the butterfly you can trim them down.

Add Antenna

Flip the top butterfly wings to the right side and secure the antenna by bending and attaching the ends in where the wires all join together. Secure with hot glue.

Using hot glue, add a few thicker stems in between the wires to create a supporting stem for the butterfly. It should be strong enough that it doesn't flop over when the full weight of the butterfly is placed on it.

Secure the top and bottom wings together with hot glue. For extra strength, you can add a zip tie around all 8 wires.

Step Six: Finish Stem

Add two small circles of felt to the backside of the butterfly to completely cover the area where the wires join together.

Finish the support wires with floral tape.

To use floral tape, cut a manageable length about 15" long. Gently stretch the tape to help activate it.

Place the end of the tape right against the edge of the felt and start wrapping. Gently stretch the tape as you go and pinch it in place (where it overlaps) to help activate the adhesive with the heat from your hands. You want to overlap each turn for good coverage. Continue wrapping along the entire length of the stem.

Once you run out of a piece of floral tape, cut another piece and overlap the end of the previous piece. At the end of the stem, pinch the tape firmly to help secure it to itself and rip away any excess tape.

Flip the butterfly over so the right side is facing upwards. Add hot glue along the back of the pearl body and secure it in place along the center of the butterfly where the wings meet.

Step Seven: Adjust Wings & Display Butterfly

To create a more realistic-looking butterfly, it's important to shape the wings upward in order to have a 3D look.

Place your hand underneath the wing at the base where the wires join together and gently bend the wing upward. The top four wings should be bent upward more than the bottom set of wings.

Gently shape the antenna to bend outward.

Display Butterfly

To display your finished butterfly you can slide the the wire support along the backside of the butterfly into a PVC pipe stem. You can also use the wire to wrap it around something to secure it in place.

If you need to hang your butterfly on a wall, bend your wire into a loop and secure it with a command hook.

I use these butterflies to add a fun touch of whimsy to my giant flowers.

How to Make a Giant Standing Organza Fabric Flower

Find out how to make PVC pipe stems here: How to Make Giant Crepe Paper Poppy Flowers

Helpful Tips and Tricks

When cutting out the fabric, use sharp fabric scissors to get clean cuts. To speed up the process, fold the fabric to create multiple layers and cut all four wings at once using a rotary cutter and cutting mat.

Use sewing pins or clips to stabilize the fabric and the pattern when cutting the wings out.

Select a sturdy wire, I recommend 18 Gauge wire. Anything lighter than this may not support the butterfly.

Store the butterfly upright in a dry environment. The stiffening spray can be deactivated with moisture.

Check out these other blog posts if you want to learn how I made the giant poppy flower, fabric flower, and butterfly prop.