Beautiful Paper Butterflies

June 1, 2011

Beautiful Paper Butterflies
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    With their vivid coloring and carefree fluttering, butterflies are a playful symbol of spring and summer. They’re also easy to craft from paper—just download our step-by-step instructions and templates. Then, take them to new heights with our darling ideas for winged accents and party decorations.

How to Make Paper Butterflies
First, pick your paper. Different materials—both new and old—lend different effects, from playful to sophisticated:

  • Maps
  • Scrapbook paper
  • Newspaper, book and magazine pages
  • Gift wrap
  • Cardstock

Second, download and print our Paper Butterfly Template, where you’ll find step-by-step instructions and patterns for butterflies of all shapes and size. Then, get crafting!

Quick Tip

swiffer logo Tiny paper scraps and bits of glitter are bound to fall to the floor as you craft. Once you've finished, clean up with Swiffer® SweeperVac®. Built smarter to clean better than a broom, it's an amazing all-in-one tool.

Paper Butterfly Decorations
A butterfly here and there adds a dose of carefree charm, while a flurry of them feels joyful and fresh. Either way, there’s no shortage of ways to use these winged creations:

paper butterflies


  • Make a mobile. String butterflies onto fishing line, then tie the strands to a round wire frame, embroidery hoop or clothes hanger. For an enchanting effect, make a mobile of only bright white, glitter-dusted butterflies.
  • Nestle in a bouquet. Give flower arrangements a fresh-from-the-garden feel! Hot glue paper butterflies to the tips of wooden skewers, unused chopsticks or even twigs, then tuck them into your bouquets.
  • Adorn paper lanterns. Secure butterflies to paper globe or star-shaped lanterns with hot glue. If you want to make them glow, opt for LED tea or twinkle lights, which don’t get hot enough to melt the glue or burn paper.

Tip: Planning an Independence Day party? Make red, white and blue butterflies as decorations for your Fourth of July bash!

  • Create a wreath or garland. Cover a wreath form with a collection of colorful butterflies. Fix the beauties to floral foam with faux pearl-tipped pins, or hot glue them to a rustic circle of branches. While you’re at it, string together a garland to drape across the front of a table or weave through a party tablescape.
  • Craft a wall composition. Tack a cluster of butterflies to the wall of a little girl’s room or craft area with pushpins or removable adhesive. Try arranging them in a flight pattern, as if they’re simply soaring through the space.
  • Thread onto drinking straws. Make every sip extra special! Cut 2 small horizontal slits through the center of the butterfly, gently bend it open, then slide a plastic drinking straw through it. Slip them into drinks, like our Seven Sunny Sips.

Tip: Thread butterflies onto toothpicks or trimmed coffee stirrers to create sweet toppers for one-of-a-kind cupcakes.

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