Dryer Sheet Butterflies - Tutorial

Hi everyone. Here is the tutorial I promised for making the dryer sheet butterflies. You should be able to enlarge the photos by clicking on them.

Dryer Sheet Butterflies

Supplies:

2 USED dryer sheets (fabric softener sheets)

iron – medium setting (wash & wear/synthetics)

sewing machine – straight stitch normal length

white thread

Cuttlebug or other die cutting machine

Sizzix Bigz die Beautiful Butterflies

Versamark ink pad

iridescent ice embossing powder

heat tool

optional: rhinestones, beads, pearls, buttons, etc. for butterfly body

Instructions:

Press dryer sheets with iron to remove wrinkles.

Place two sheets together (pin as needed) and sew together using a straight stitch all around the edges. Next sew parallel lines the length of the sheets about 1/8”-1/4” apart. These do not need to be exactly spaced or perfectly straight. I speed sew these and do not backstitch. Then sew parallel lines the width of the sheets same as the others. This stitched grid gives stability and texture to the dryer sheets. A single thickness is really too flimsy.

Using the butterflies die and Cuttlebug, die cut your butterflies. I fold and cut 3 or 4 at a time, using the smallest butterfly.

Lay your butterflies on a scrap piece of paper and ink it up by pressing the versamark pad onto the butterflies. I press hard.

Coat with iridescent ice embossing powder. I just press the butterflies into the powder. Shake off excess and heat just enough to melt the EP. Do not overheat or you will lose some of the sparkle.

Embellish the center of the butterflies with beads, jewels, buttons, etc.

If you want the butterflies to have a bit of color, layer them over colored card stock die cut butterflies.

Some notes:

I used mono-multi glue to add rhinestones and it took forever to dry. The sticky-back half pearls worked fine on the above card.

I also tried gluing the sheets together instead of stitching. I used Mod Podge and it was rather messy.

A heavy sew-in type interfacing could possibly be used as a substitute for dryer sheets, although when I tried this, the embossing powder flaked off some even after heating.

Other die cut shapes would be fun to try as well. Think of the possibilities.

On this card, I inked the butterfly with craft ink. The thread absorbed way more ink than the dryer sheets, so the grid really stands out. I prefer the butterflies without the colored ink and just backed with colored card stock.

This is the first time I've done a tutorial, so I hope everything is clear and helpful. If you have any further questions, please feel free to ask.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Have a wonder-filled day.