A few months ago, I came across the most amazing paper pieced butterfly on instagram (check out @lillyellasworld). My thoughts were exactly as follows: “That is so gorgeous. But I could never make anything like that.”
When I catch myself thinking like that, or get too intimidated to try something, that’s when I know I’m not living my life the way I like to.
IF YOU AIM AT NOTHING, YOU WILL HIT IT EVERY TIME.
I don’t like to get so comfortable that I never try new things or challenge myself to reach big goals. So when I start to get discouraged, I try very hard to turn my weaknesses into strengths. I had the same attitude before running a half marathon a few years ago. So I decided that somehow I would figure out how to make this butterfly, even in the midst of a big move and a busy summer!
Having a deadline always helps me reach my goals. It just so happened that I had said yes to joining a fun quilt swap, organized by my friend Ashley at Mommy By Day, Crafter By Night. As soon as I was assigned a partner, I knew I wanted to make this butterfly for her.
Foundation paper piecing forces you to visualize sewing like you never have before. I watched this video on YouTube to help me out a little. My first try was a total flop. I gave up and went to bed. While laying there that night, it dawned on me what I was doing wrong, so I woke up early and I figured it out!
Every bit of progress was an exciting victory.
With foundation paper piecing, you sew through paper, following a pattern, which helps the fabric to be sewn very precisely. I LOVE that you don’t have to press seams open with foundation paper piecing!
Here’s a look at the backside of the butterfly, before and after the paper is removed.
I’m so glad that I worked hard to figure out how to create this lovely butterfly!
The pattern is called “Take Wing,” created by Nicole Young of Lilly Ella’s Stitchery. It is such a brilliant pattern, and it was so much fun to make! I purchased it on Etsy HERE.
The majority of my fabrics are from Alison Glass’s Handcrafted collection. I had been saving these for a very special project, and I’m so happy with how they look in this butterfly. I also added a small splash of my favorite Liberty Lifestyle print, in the butterfly and for the binding, because my partner loves Liberty!
I created this butterfly mini quilt for oh so talented and beautiful Jemima from Tied With a Ribbon. I ‘met’ Jemima on instagram (check her out at @tiedwitharibbon), via Ashley. She lives in Australia! It is so fun to have sewing friends all over the world!
Stitching up this label took me almost as long as it took to sew the whole quilt top! Haha! But I really enjoy stitching, especially on the airplane or while I wait at my daughter’s ballet practice.
Here’s a look at the backside. It features the Handcrafted fabrics so well!
I had such a great time participating in this swap. My husband couldn’t believe I was letting this go! So that means I have to make another for myself, right?
The little string art pin cushion was a little extra I included. Strings by Samantha is an especially talented string artist that I found on Etsy a few months ago. She custom created a few things for me, which I love giving as small gifts!
Speaking of the Happy Mail Mini Swap, this is the gorgeous gift that I received from Mia at @mlrdesigns on instagram. Check out all those rainbow-tized FLYING GEESE! I love flying geese so much!!! I love everything about this mini, and it is going to look so cool on my mini quilt wall as soon as I am moved and settled in.
And, check out this strawberry needle book that Mia made for me. She is such a talent and so sweet to have included this. I adore it.
Quilting friends and quilt swaps are the best! Check out the #happymailminiquiltswap on instagram to see who else was in the group and the gorgeous minis that were created! Thanks again Ashley for organizing such a fun event! It was a great way for me to overcome my hesitations about foundation paper piecing!
