Most of the butterfly is pieced much like the tulip. The exception is the way the #11 triangles are sewn onto the #12 butterfly pieces. Begin by drawing the diagonal stitching lines across the back of the two #11 pieces. One must be marked from lower left to upper right and the other from upper left to lower right. Mark the points on these lines where they would cross the ¼″ seams.

On the back of the #12 pieces, mark the points where the side seam allowances would cross the top. Mark 1″ below this top mark along the inside or center seam allowances. With right sides together, lay the #11 pieces on top of the #12 pieces, as shown in FIGURE 14-10. Using a pin through both layers of fabric, match the corner marks on the outside corner and the corner of #11. Place the mark 1″ below the corner on #12, as shown in FIGURE 14-11. Stitch across the diagonal stitching line. Fold #11 up to be sure it matches the top of #12. Trim ¼″ from the seam, and press the seam allowance toward the butterfly (see FIGURE 14-12). With right sides together, match the seams and sew the left and right butterfly wing pieces together.

The bottom of the butterfly is made the same way as the tapers at the bottom of the tulip. Refer to FIGURE 14-13. Put the #14 background squares at the appropriate corners of the left and right #13 butterfly pieces, right sides together, and sew diagonally across the smaller squares. Press the seam allowances toward the butterfly. Sew the two squares together, matching the seams.

FIGURE 14-10

Rectangles to triangles: Place the background rectangles on the butterfly wing pieces.

FIGURE 14-11

Rectangles to triangles: Rotate the background rectangles and stitch on the diagonal.

FIGURE 14-12

Rectangles to triangles: Trim to ¼″ seam allowance, and press.

FIGURE 14-13

Corner triangles: Place two background squares over each of the lower butterfly squares as shown. Stitch, and trim.

Sew the two halves of the butterfly together, and press the seam allowance toward the butterfly wings. Sew the body ribbon down the center of the butterfly. Add the two #15 background pieces, press the seams, and add #16 and #17. You might use the stem stitch described in Chapter 8 to embroider antennae on your butterfly.