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by Jennifer Long of Sew A Story
There is something peaceful about watching butterflies drift through the garden, and that feeling inspired the Butterfly Release Pillow. This simple appliqué project brings soft color and movement into your home, making it a beautiful accent for a reading chair, bedroom, or cozy sewing space.
I designed this pillow using fabrics from my Boho Batiks collection. The variety of butterfly shapes and colors creates a design that feels light, fresh, and inviting. Best of all, it is a beginner-friendly project that comes together quickly while giving you plenty of opportunities to personalize it. The finished pillow measures 18" × 18".
To create crisp appliqué and a beautifully finished pillow, I used a few of my favorite Therm O Web products throughout the project.
Fabric and Supplies
Therm O Web Products
1. Prepare the Butterfly Appliqué
Begin by tracing the butterfly templates onto the paper side of HeatnBond Lite Fusible Adhesive. Following the manufacturer's instructions, fuse the adhesive to the wrong side of each fabric before cutting out the butterflies. The templates are already reversed for raw-edge appliqué, making preparation simple.
2. Arrange Your Design
Lay the butterflies across the oversized background square until you're happy with the arrangement. Since the pillow front will be trimmed after the appliqué is fused, you have flexibility to create a balanced layout before pressing everything into place.
3. Fuse and Stitch
Following the manufacturer's instructions, fuse each butterfly to the background. Stitch around every butterfly using your favorite finishing stitch, such as a blanket stitch, satin stitch, or zigzag stitch. This secures the appliqué while adding beautiful texture to the design.
4. Add a Little Sparkle
One of my favorite ways to finish this pillow is with Therm O Web Sparkle Paste. Apply a light layer to selected butterfly wings using a stencil brush or palette knife to create a soft shimmer. You can also add sparkle to just a few butterflies so the details catch the light without overwhelming the design. Allow the Sparkle Paste to dry completely according to the manufacturer's instructions before continuing.
5. Quilt and Finish the Pillow
Layer the completed pillow front with batting and backing fabric, then quilt as desired by hand or machine. Once quilted, trim the front to size, prepare the envelope-style pillow back, sew the pieces together, turn the cover right side out, and insert your pillow form.
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Style Your Butterfly Pillow
This pillow adds a cheerful touch to so many spaces around your home.
Place it on a favorite reading chair, layer it with coordinating pillows on a bed, brighten a sunroom, or add it to a porch swing during the warmer months. It also makes a thoughtful handmade gift for birthdays, Mother's Day, housewarmings, or anyone who loves butterflies and handmade décor.
Because the appliqué placement is completely customizable, every pillow becomes uniquely your own.
Try the Pattern Club Free
Therm O Web readers can enjoy one free month in the Sew A Story Pattern Club.
Inside the Pattern Club you'll receive one new craft pattern and one new quilt pattern each month, along with step-by-step guidance and creative inspiration.
If you enjoyed making the Butterfly Release Pillow, you'll find many more creative projects designed to inspire storytelling through fabric inside the Pattern Club.
Use code: THERMOWEBFREEMONTH
If you'd like to see this project in more detail, I'd love to have you join me on the Sew A Story YouTube channel.
Be sure to subscribe to the Sew A Story YouTube channel so you never miss a new tutorial, sew-along, quilt-along, or behind-the-scenes look at upcoming projects.
I can't wait to see the beautiful Butterfly Release Pillows you create.
by Jennifer Long, Sew A Story
