layered felt embroidery tropical butterfly

Monarch Magic

Monarch butterflies are North America’s most easily recognized butterfly species due to their distinctive orange wings and black patterning. They symbolize change, transformation, and hope — a perfect springtime craft. 

Emily chose our wool-blend felt in moss, juniper, and fern for the greenery below the embroidered butterfly. The two pairs of brilliant coral wings are reinforced with 24-gauge wire to give your butterfly a 3D effect. As always, you’re welcome to get creative with the felt (and floss) colors you pick for your project!

Once finished, the hoop makes it easy to hang your creation as wall decor. We’d love to see your spin on this project, so share your version with us on our crafter’s community page or by using the hashtag #MadeWithLia on Instagram or Facebook.

Skill level: Intermediate

Embroidery stitches used: Stem stitch, straight stitch, backstitch, and satin stitch. Need more guidance on these stitches? Check out our free embroidery guide for step-by-step photo tutorials — or take our skill course: Embroidery 101 if you prefer video tutorials.

This content uses links from which we may earn a commission. Disclosure.

How to Make an Embroidered Butterfly & Tropical Leaves

  1. Gather your tools and materials. Then download the zip file below.
  2. Print out the template on water soluble stabilizer and cut the leaves and brown wing pieces out on a cutting machine or by hand.
  3. Place the leaf template over the felt leaf. Use a 4-strand stem stitch for the center line and 2-strand stem stitch for the side lines.
  4. Tack the brown body top to the raspberry felt with a dot of glue.

Full tutorial available for members to download below.

layered tropical butterfly embroidery tutorial by Lia Griffith

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Explore More

Crazy about butterflies? Browse our butterfly collection to see what takes flight! Or you can browse all of our felt crafts and embroidery projects for more ideas

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