While my team and I were putting the latest issue of Designs in Machine Embroidery together, an advertisement from Embroidery Online caught my attention. Did you see it? Here’s a glimpse of the ad from the Mach/April 2016 issue along with a full size stitched butterfly for scale.
The offer is pretty nifty: Make a purchase of $49 and receive the #12600 Luminous Freestanding Butterflies for free! Coupon code: DIME2016FREE. Offer ends 4/30/2016. The free collection download will be added to the cart automatically when you enter the code.
I thought it would be fun to try this special offer. By the end of this article I think you’ll agree, it’s an excellent offer you don’t want to miss. Purchase some thread, stabilizer or other supplies from Embroidery Online to make the $49 goal. Enter the coupon code: DIME2016FREE and you’re on your way to becoming quite the social butterfly!
This will be an ongoing series you’ll see as you flutter through our blog, Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest pages. Every photo will be tagged #socialbutterfly and you are encouraged to post your creations made from this collection too!
I have a collection of real butterflies that are framed on my wall at home. I thought it would be fun to make my own embroidered version and make it look like a preserved ‘specimen’.
I used a Micro font from Inspirations Software to stitch the name on twill tape. Wanting to add some excitement, I used an online translator to convert “embroidered butterfly” to the equivalent in French. Until these butterfly designs fluttered into my world, I never ventured to embroider text on anything narrow much less in a foreign language. I’m glad I tried!
I added a pin to mimic the look of a real specimen. I glanced through insect collecting pages online and soon discovered there is quite a science to proper display and pinning… which I happily leave to the experts! For my embroidered butterfly, a regular sewing pin on the body of the butterfly was good enough for me!
As I posted very limited previews of the embroidered butterflies on my Facebook page for friends to see, I noticed a trend. My friends are passionate about butterflies! Sure, they have liked my posts in the past, but butterflies ignite a particular admiration. Here’s a sampling of my friends’ comments:
“The color possibilities are endless”
“Stunning….these butterflies are so wonderful.”
“I love love love these!!”
“These are amazing!!”
Their reactions inspired me to make a custom butterfly for a friend (she likes purple) and name it after her.
After stitching the name, I trimmed away the jump stitches then I used scrapbook brads to add a more custom touch to the project.
Here’s the finished piece!
When I present the gift to her I will add a little notecard that says:
“I named a butterfly after you!
It’s unique and special just like you!”
Here’s a look at more butterflies I have stitched in just ONE week. Each is slated for a special use. To the left you’ll see butterflies getting soaked to remove the water soluble stabilizer – or as I like to put it: “the butterflies are getting a bath”. I’ll be sharing how I used the rest of the butterflies throughout our blog and social media pages in the coming days… and weeks… because I’ve discovered it’s super fun to be a #socialbutterfly!
The next series will be of particular interest to those who collect natural random objects. I’ll show how I used the butterflies in unexpected ways on these objects. Until then, be sure to visit Embroidery Online to restock your sewing studio with much needed supplies and use code: DIME2016FREE at checkout.
24 COMMENTS
Gail Beam
8 years agoThe butterflies are Awesome!!
Denise Holguin
8 years agoThank you!
Sharron
8 years agoDenise it’s so great to see how, just like a butterfly have come out of your cocoon to become such a talented and unafraid embroidery lady. I can remember when you worked so unafraid of the embroidery machine. Way to go you’re so creative
Denise Holguin
8 years agoSharron,
Thank you!
Denise
Karen
8 years agoThe color/look possibilties are endless and so pretty!
Denise Holguin
8 years agoKaren,
Yes, indeed! I have a Starbucks barista friend that has been tracking my butterfly production and she noticed I haven’t made an orange and black version… yet!
Denise
Diane S.
8 years agoCould/would you plesae share how you prepared your twill tape for embroidery? I have tried to embroider on grosgrain ribbon and was totally unsuccessful. I used sticky back stabilizer which became embedded in the embroidery. The font was also too dense. Any tips, please?
Denise Holguin
8 years agoDiane,
I’m glad you asked! As I was stitching I was thinking, “hmmm… here’s another blog topic to cover!” We will cover this topic in April and I’ll add grosgrain ribbon to the samples.
I was shocked that my twill tape experiment turned out. I fully expected disasters. So if I can do it– I’m sure we’ll be able to provide some handy tips for you.
Denise
Diane S.
8 years agoThank you Denise. I’m looking forward to your instructions.
Lester Ann Jensen
8 years agoI would dearly love to subscribe to DIME but am unable to do so from this site. I think it is because I live in Canada. How do I contact you to set up a subscription???>?
Denise Holguin
8 years agoDear Lester Ann,
We would dearly love to have you subscribe! This is the link for subscriptions: http://www.dzgns.com/magazine/offer/
I tested it and was able to select Canada as the country. You are also welcome to call us: 888-739-0555. We will be happy to set you up with a subscription.
Denise
Rhonda
8 years agoLove these butterflies… and your writing! I’m inspired!
Denise Holguin
8 years agoRhonda,
Thank you so much!
Denise
stella
8 years agoI love the framing of the butterflies and adding a name. I am thinking of the people I’d love to make these for. I keep looking for new ways to use embroidery. I just love this blog. I cannot wait until the next blog to see what else you do with butterflies.
Denise Holguin
8 years agoStella,
Thank you so much! Several of my friends are dropping hints that they need some framed butterflies. One in particular sent me a photo of her newly renovated bathroom with a butterfly themed shower curtain. Now all she needs is some framed wall art…
I encourage you to give them a try. They are addicting to make!
Denise
Lulu
8 years agoI just started redecorating our guest room with butterfly theme. These ideas are great, thank you!
Sara Redner
8 years agoFSL and BUTTERFLIES – 2 of my favorite things! These butterflies look so realistic. I absolutely LOVE them. They would look amazing hanging on a mobile.
Carolyn
8 years agoI have these butterflies on my “Wish List” at Embroidery Online!! AND I can always find $49.00 worth of goodies to buy! I just bought their FSL 3-D Lighthouse. I’m currently making their Patchwork Birdhouses and making them into wind chimes. There are so cute! Thanks Denise, I never thought about the shadowbox idea.
QuiltShopGal
8 years agoGorgeous butterflies, but double darn: I just ordered online in March and mailed off my check for a 3 year subscription. Too funny, as I have an absolutely perfect project I need to finish (spring theme wallhanging) that these butterflies would be great on.
QuiltShopGal
http://www.quiltshopgal.com
QuiltShopGal
8 years agoOoops. Can’t figure out how to delete my earlier comment. Mis-read thinking that this butterfly collection was tied to magazine subscription. I’m off now to shop.
QuiltShopGal
http://www.quiltshopgal.com
Francine Meyer-Drasutis
8 years agoThank you for such a wonderful blog. How perfect. Just in time for graduation gifts and 3 weddings. I’m actually thinking about shower gifts for the bride.
Denise Holguin
8 years agoHi Francine,
Thank you for reading the blog! I love the idea of shower gifts for the bride. You could coordinate the colors to match her wedding theme. Maybe add the date of her wedding to commemorate the special day. Or choose colors that match her home. Or… add some crystals for a super elegant touch. So many options!
Denise
Halina Portch
8 years agoHi, I was wondering if you had the larger stickers as well
Bruce
7 years agoGreat collections, I love the butterflies. It looks awesome. Thanks for sharing.
Bruce, https://www.printavo.com