Today I’m bringing you a gorgeous pattern that’ll brighten up your space. It might seem a bit intimidating, but I promise you it’s really easy to stitch. We’ll be mainly using the long and short stitch, and a few other stitches to outline the shapes. Grab a coffee and let me show you how easy to stitch this beautiful butterfly garden pattern is!
Disclaimer: This post might contain some affiliate links, you can find my full Disclosure Policy here.
Overview
PROJECT SIZE: 11 x 16cm
STITCHES USED: Split Stitch, Long and Short, Satin Stitch
While in the beginning, I wasn’t sure if the pattern would look good on a light grey background, in the end, I think I like the grey background version a bit better. Regarding the color you choose for the background, the technique remains the same.
Tools and Materials
Let’s have a look at the materials that will accompany us throughout this tutorial. These are just the tools and materials I like to use, please feel free to use your own preferred brands, and don’t let a missing item stop you from creating.
MATERIALS YOU’LL NEED
- Butterfly Garden Embroidery Pattern – the pattern is free for personal use and available to download from my Free Pattern Library
- Cotton, linen or linen blend fabric
- Embroidery hoop 7in/18cm – I’m usually using the Elbesee brand
- Led Light Pad – lightbox for tracing the pattern onto light fabrics
- HB Pencil or FriXion Erasable Pen – for tracing the pattern (for light fabrics)
- Embroidery needle – size 7
- DMC threads – Anchor conversion chart provided below
- Needlework Scissors – for cutting the thread
- Iron – to remove any fabric creases * Optional
- HP ENVY Photo Printer – for printing your pattern * Optional
- Magnifying lamp – the magnifying lamp will make stitching much easier * Optional
- Sticky Roller – for cleaning the fabric when done * Optional
This is a project that will require either very good lighting or a magnifying lamp. While I mentioned it as optional in the tools and materials list, I highly recommend you use one for this particular project.
Check out my article on best magnifying lamps for hand embroidery to learn the different types of lamps and find out which one is the best for your needs.
Download the Free Pattern
Download the Butterfly Garden pattern from my Free Pattern Library. To get access to the Free Pattern Library fill out the form below and I will send you an email with your password. You can read more about my Free Pattern Library here.
Once you have downloaded the pattern, print the Cut and Trace file on A4 paper.
The pattern you have downloaded is full size, so when printed on the A4 paper will have the exact size to fit into a 6inch hoop. You just need to have the Fill Entire Paper option selected.
Transferring the Pattern
My go-to method to manually transfer patterns onto light fabrics is using a Lightbox under the fabric and the pattern design.
To transfer the Butterfly Garden embroidery pattern manually using a lightbox, you can use this simple method:
- Print your pattern. If you don’t own a printer, you can trace the pattern onto a piece of tracing paper or regular A4 paper.
- Plugin and turn on the Light Pad
- Place the printed pattern (or traced pattern if you don’t own a printer) on top of the lightbox, then place your fabric on top of the pattern. Secure with masking tape if needed.
- Trace over the pattern’s lines with an erasable or washable tracing pen.
TIP: If you do not own a printer, trace the embroidery design onto tracing paper or baking paper with a black pen. Tape the tracing to a window, tape the fabric on top then transfer the pattern onto your fabric.
Color Palette and Thread List
As you can see from the image below, this pattern uses quite a few thread colors. To be honest, I think that is what makes it stand out. Don’t get intimidated, you can use threads you already have access to, just be mindful of the color choices.
A few things I considered when creating my color palette were the color theory and choosing colors that complement each other. Take my vintage stitch color palette as a guide or use whatever brand and colors you have access to.
For the entire work, I used DMC stranded cotton. If your brand of choice is Anchor, please use the conversion chart below.
The Butterfly Garden embroidery pattern was stitched with 1 strand of thread.
In order to separate your thread, pull out and cut about 30-40cm length of thread from the skein, more or less the distance between your fingers and your elbow. Separate one strand and thread your needle. Use a sharp needle size 7.
1. Cut about 30-40cm of thread
2. Separate one strand
3. Pull the separated strand while holding firmly the rest
4. Thread your needle (size 7)
Stitching the Pattern
For stitching each butterfly we’ll be using the same method. We’ll first outline the shapes using Split Stitch, then fill them with Long and short or Satin Stitch. Let’s have a look at each butterfly and the order of work.
1. Start by outlining the first butterfly with Split Stitch, using DMC 3371 (Black Brown)
2. Continue by filling the side areas with Satin Stitch, using DMC 3371 (Black Brown)
3. We’ll fill the wings using Long and short stitch. Start from the outside stitching the first row using DMC 813 (Blue Light)
4. Continue stitching the second row using DMC 162 (Blue Ultra Very Light)
1. Start by filling the pink details with Satin Stitch using DMC 892 (Carnation Medium)
2. Outline the butterfly with Split Stitch using DMC 3371 (Black Brown)
3 Continue filling the outer wings with Satin Stitch using DMC 3371 (Black Brown)
4. Add the lighter details using Satin Stitch and DMC 543 (Beige Brown Ultra Very Light)
5. Continue filling the dark areas with Satin Stitch using DMC 3371 (Black Brown)
6. Go on and fill the right wing dark areas with Satin Stitch using the same DMC 3371 (Black Brown)
7. Stitch the outer lighter areas with Satin Stitch using DMC 543 (Beige Brown Ultra Very Light)
8. Fill in the pink areas with Long and short stitch using DMC 892 (Carnation Medium)
9. Fill in the body with Satin Stitch using DMC 3354 (Dusty Rose Light). Work your Satin stitches horizontally.
Time to stitch the blue butterfly. How are you enjoying this pattern so far? Just a few more butterflies and we’re done!
1. Start by outlining the butterfly with Split Stitch using DMC 3371 (Black Brown)
2. Fill the dark extremities with Satin Stitch using the same DMC 3371 (Black Brown)
3. Add the yellow details with Satin Stitch using DMC 677 (Old Gold Very Light)
4. Fill the wings with Long and short stitch using DMC 3842 (Wedgewood Very Dark)
1. Outline the butterfly with Split Stitch using DMC 3371 (Black Brown)
2. Fill the darkest details with Satin Stitch using the same DMC 3371 (Black Brown)
3. Continue filling the outer dark areas with Satin Stitch using DMC 3371 (Black Brown)
4. Fill the body and the middle lighter brown area with Long and Short stitch using DMC 898 (Coffee Brown Very Dark)
5. Fill the light outer details with Satin Stitch using DMC 543 (Beige Brown Ultra Very Light)
6. Fill the green areas using Long and Short stitch using DMC 993 (Aquamarine Very Light). Add a few Satin Stitches on both sides of the body, using DMC 3863 (Mocha Beige Medium).
1. Outline the butterfly with Split Stitch using DMC 3371 (Black Brown)
2. Fill the darkest outer details with Satin Stitch using the same DMC 3371 (Black Brown)
3. Add a few Satin Stitches to fill the lightest areas using DMC 543 (Beige Brown Ultra Very Light)
4. Fill both wings with Long and short stitch using DMC 471 (Avocado Green Very Light)
1. Outline the butterfly with Split Stitch using DMC 3371 (Black Brown)
2. Add the lightest details with Satin Stitch using DMC 677 (Old Gold Very Light)
3. Fill the outer dark areas with Satin Stitch using DMC 3371 (Black Brown)
4. Fill the top half of the wings with Long and short stitch using DMC 720 (Orange Spice Dark). Fill the body with Satin stitch using the same shade.
5. Fill the bottom half of the wings with Long and short stitch using DMC 3825 (Pumpkin Pale).
With the last butterfly stitched, that’s our butterfly garden done!
I’d love to see your progress! Tag @makenstitch on Instagram and hashtag it #makenstitch so I can see your magic!
Finishing the Back of the Embroidery
For displaying my work I decided to use a wooden display hoop and use the drawstring method for the back of my embroidery.
1. Start by cutting the excess fabric, leaving at least an inch allowance. To prevent the fabric from fraying you can use a zig-zag scissors.
2. Using 6 strands of thread stitch a Running Stitch until you complete the full circle. Tie both ends and cut the excess thread.
Congratulations! You have successfully completed this tutorial!
I really hope you enjoyed stitching this beautiful pattern and please let me know in the comments below if you have any questions or suggestions.
I would love to see your progress and how you decided to use your bag. Don’t forget to tag @makenstitch on Instagram and hashtag it #makenstitch so I can see your work!
You can download the Butterfly Garden embroidery pattern from my Free Pattern Library. To get access to the Free Pattern Library fill out the form below and I will send you an email with your password.
The downloaded pattern can only be used for personal projects. You can read more about my Free Pattern Library here. Happy stitching, lovelies!
Similar Embroidery Projects
- Sakura Tree Embroidery Decoration Tutorial
- Daisies Embroidery Decoration Tutorial
- Cherry Blossom Tutorial Free Embroidery Pattern
- Realistic Butterfly Needle Painting Tutorial
Did you try this pattern? Come over to our Facebook Group and show everyone your magic!
SAVE THIS FOR LATER? ADD THE BUTTERFLY GARDEN TUTORIAL TO YOUR FAVOURITE PINTEREST BOARD
Leave a Reply