I’ve made a butterfly inspired costume. It took a lot of time to complete but I think it's worth it. 😊😊

Supplies

yarn

lots of fabric glue

red fabric or felt (size depending on how big you want the wings on the skirt)

Paint for dying(optional)

blow dryer(optional)

fabric marker

black fabric (size depending on how big you want the wings on the skirt)

2 yards of glittery black tulle

2 yards black tulle

2 yards red tulle

hot glue

black bike shorts

red leotard

glass sewing beads

upholstery needles

sewing needles

yarn

thread

9 gauge black wire

black boots

crochet butterflies (optional)

Step 1: Create Butterfly Skirt

I am horrible at knitting and crocheting for sure. No doubt about it. But I love the look and I wanted a way to achieve this look without the complicated steps using fabric glue and yarn.

Step 2: Draw the Butterfly Wing Shape in Fabric Six Times

I drew the butterfly wings on an old white tee-shirt, but I recommend drawing it on red felt to avoid white spaces showing behind the yarn. Make sure it's the length of a skirt. Cut the wings out but leave a space around it so that the gluing process is easier.

Step 3: Dying Yarn (optional)

Decide what color you want for your butterfly wings. I decided on a black outline with red in the middle. Pinterest is a great source of inspiration. If you don't like any of the colored yarn offered in stores I recommend dying your own. I purchased a pretty bulky amount of white yarn and dipped it into fabric dye. An alternative to fabric dye is a mixture of paint and water. The drying process is slow, but a handy blow dryer and determination can get you far.

Step 4: Glue the Yarn to Your Fabric

Glue your (selected color) yarn onto your outlines. Examples are shown above. When you complete the outline fill the inside with your (second selected color) yarn. Examples above. This takes up a majority of the project time. I got discouraged multiple times, but the end product was worth it.

Step 5: Touch Ups

Use a paint pen or marker to fill in any white spaces between the yarn. If you used felt skip this step. If your yarn isn't vibrant enough go over it with a marker or paint. You can also glue colored fabric to the back of the wings or glue yarn in the same design to the back.

Step 6: Making the Black Wings

Cut out five butterfly wings in black fabric. I used a dull scissors so that the edges frayed. You can print picture two and trace it on the fabric

Step 7: Making the Tulle Wings

Cut out wings from tulle using the photos above as references. The more you make, the bigger your skirt will be so keep that in mind.

Step 8: Making the Skirt

Use short black bike shorts. Glue your wings on in layers. First glue on 3/4ths of the tulle wings on your fabric. Pic 2 for reference. Next glue 3/4 of the black wings to the pants. Pic 3 for reference. Next glue the yarn wings around the pants. Use the last 1/4 of the tulle and black wings to fill in any empty spaces. Pic 4 is the final product.

Step 9: Decorating the Leotard

Step 10: Sew Glass Beads on in the Shape of Butterflys

First, draw a butterfly in your desired location on the leotard. You can print the picture above and trace it. Repeat the instructions above until your butterfly is fully beaded.

Step 11: Embroider Yarn on the Sleeves

Trace branches on both sleeves like the ones shown above. My inspiration came from the second picture.

Pictures 3 - 8 shows how to sew with yarn. I used a heavy-duty upholstery needle. Unfortunately, this doesn't leave much room for mistakes because it leaves holes in the fabric.

At the end of each branch, I sewed glass beads on. Look at the previous instruction on how to sew beads.

Step 12: Stitch Tulle to the Collar

Follow the instructions above. Continue until you reach the end of the collar. Picture 7 is the final product.

Step 13: Bend Wire Into a Crown

Follow the steps above.

Step 14: Wings

Measure and cut a piece of tulle that's as long as your outstretched arms.

Mark the middle and sew it into the middle of the back of the leotard.

Tie the ends to rubber bands that can fit around your wrist.

Step 15: Arm Bands

Glue a strip of black yarn to yarn butterflies. I made these butterflies by sewing embroidering yarn into fabric. You can tie it to your arm leg neck (choker) or wrist (bracelet).