I’d like to share this versatile applique idea today.  There are so many designs that you could applique on either side of a cardigan!  You could make a heart for Valentine’s Day, a Christmas tree, etc.

Supplies:

A plain cardigan
Fabric scraps in coordinating colors
Thread to match fabric
HeatnBond Lite
StitchnSew Perforated Tear Away Soft White

Instructions:

It’s important to begin by prewashing your fabric selections and your sweater.

Next, create a paper template for your butterfly wings.  The size of your wings will depend on the size of your sweater.

butterfly-applique-pattern

(click and right click to save or print. Enlarge or resize to fit cardigan)

Apply HeatnBond Lite to the back of all your fabric pieces and cut your wings first.  To create the designs within my wings, I tried to utilize the patterns found in a couple of coordinating prints.

I followed the lines of the prints to fussy cut and then drew in other sections working around those shapes.

Lay everything roughly in place, then remove one wing entirely and all the decorative pieces from the second wing.  Simply adhere the turquoise wing to the sweater.  Then slowly begin arranging the decorative pieces and adhering them.

Doing this bit by bit helps to avoid shifting.

Once one wing is done, it’s time to move to the second wing.

Fuse the shapes in place.

Next, place a piece of StitchnSew Perforated Tear Away beneath the wing.  Pin in place to secure.  Using a tight zig zag stitch, stitch the perimeter of the wing.  The Tear Away will prevent the sweater from stretching and snagging in your stitches.

Next, tear away the Tear Away along the stitch line.  It’s so nice and soft that it can come into contact with skin and not irritate.

Finish up by zig zagging around each shape within the wing.  Then put on your sweater and you are ready for spring!

 

by | 8 Comments

8 Comments on Butterfly Applique Sweater – Featured Project

  1. Cherri
    March 16, 2013 at 12:19 pm (12 years ago)

    LOVE the instructions for the sweater! Loking forward to many more projects!

    • admin
      March 18, 2013 at 2:31 pm (12 years ago)

      Thank you for the great comment Cherri! Amy is one talented gal and we loved the sweater too!

  2. Alicia Key
    March 16, 2013 at 11:05 pm (12 years ago)

    I love the font it shows when I’m typing this note! An I love all the great ideas here for inspirations!

    • admin
      March 18, 2013 at 2:31 pm (12 years ago)

      Thanks Alicia! That font is called Pacifico…it’s too fun isn’t it?

  3. craftyLindaw
    June 17, 2016 at 1:35 am (9 years ago)

    Lovely I really would like to try this! GREAT Inspiration Thank you. X

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