Crafting Butterfly Wedding Invites: A Step-By-Step Guide

Butterflies are a symbol of change, joy and colour, and they make for a romantic, beautiful and graceful wedding theme. If you're looking to make your own butterfly wedding invitations, there are plenty of options to choose from. You can buy templates online, or make your own from scratch using paper, cardstock, glue, thread, and a butterfly paper punch. You can also add some sparkle with glitter or confetti, or opt for a laser-cut design. The combinations are endless!

Using a sewing machine to attach paper together

Choosing the Right Materials

Before you start, make sure you have the right materials to work with. You can use any kind of paper you like, as long as it won't fall apart when stitched but is not too heavy that it will stress the needle. Ideal options include heavy cardstock, a manilla folder, watercolour paper, bristol paper, mixed media paper, or a heavy index card.

For the thread, you do not need any special kind, but it is recommended to get good quality thread. The same goes for your sewing machine needle – a standard, ordinary needle will do. However, it is important to note that sewing paper will dull your needle, so it is a good idea to keep a separate one specifically for paper.

Setting Up Your Sewing Machine

Now, you need to set up your sewing machine. If you are new to using one, it is a good idea to skim through the instruction manual to get familiar with the basics. You will need to know how to thread the needle and bobbin and adjust the tension.

When sewing paper, it is recommended to use a straight stitch and increase the stitch length. If you don't, the paper will simply perforate and fall into pieces. A zigzag stitch also works well on paper and doesn't need to be large.

Sewing Techniques

When you are comfortable with the basics, you can start practising sewing paper. Remember to be patient and in a good mood when trying something new, as it might take a while to get the hang of it.

You can start by practising without thread in the machine, to get a feel for how the machine pulls the paper through. Then, try sewing a straight stitch across your paper. Guide the paper gently, and do not push or pull it. You can also try a zigzag stitch.

If you want to add a finishing touch to your butterfly wedding invitations, you can sew around the edges with a zigzag or blanket stitch. You can also add a lovely touch by sewing a few lines at a slight angle across the front of the invitation.

Tips and Tricks

• Remember that once you sew through paper, the holes are permanent, so you cannot rip out your stitches and sew again.
• Sewing through paper will gradually dull your needle, so you may want to have a dedicated needle for paper that you can switch out.
• Paper creates a lot of dust, so make sure to stay on top of your sewing machine's maintenance.
• If you are sewing several pieces of paper together, use paper clips to hold your stack of paper together as you sew to prevent the pages from sliding around.
• If you are layering papers on top of each other, stitch them together before attaching them to the card blank.
• If you want the ends of your thread to be neat and tidy, you can backstitch to lock the stitch in place or put a little swatch of washi tape on top of the loose end.

Choosing the right paper

When it comes to choosing the right paper for your butterfly wedding invitations, there are several factors to consider, from the type of printer you'll be using to the weight and finish of the paper itself. Here are some tips to help you select the best paper for your invitations:

Printer Compatibility

Before choosing a paper type, it's important to consider the type of printer you'll be using. Home printers often have limitations on the thickness of paper they can handle, so it's a good idea to review your printer's instructions and do a test print. Start with 80# cardstock and gradually increase the weight to find the limit of your printer. If you plan to use a local print shop, keep in mind that they may have different printers and paper requirements. Laser printers, for example, apply a layer of ink that may flake off on certain types of paper.

Paper Weight

The weight of the paper, measured in pounds or "lb", is an important factor in the look and feel of your invitations. Heavier cardstock, generally 110# or higher, will give your invitations a more luxurious and professional appearance. For most home printers, 80# to 90# cardstock is ideal, while 100# can work in some cases. If you're printing at a local print shop, you may be able to go up to 100# or higher.

Paper Type and Finish

There are several types of paper to choose from, each with its own unique characteristics:

• Solid White Cardstock: A medium to heavy-weight paper made from tree pulp, available in various colours and weights, making it ideal for home printing.
• Linen Cardstock: Designed to look like linen fabric with a delicate woven texture and a matte finish, perfect for hiding imperfections.
• Cotton Cardstock: Smooth to the touch, highly absorbent, and great for both laser and inkjet printing. It gives invitations a clean, modern look and is considered "photo-safe".
• Parchment: A thin, semi-translucent paper with a slight marble appearance, perfect for layering with other types of paper.
• Felt: A unique, thick cardstock with a texture between cotton and canvas, giving invitations a sophisticated feel.
• Kraft or Recycled Cardstock: A rustic and on-trend option that resembles coarse brown paper bags but with a smoother, more polished finish.
• Vellum: A translucent paper that looks gorgeous on its own or layered over illustrations, adding depth to your invitations.
• Coloured Cardstock: Smooth paper available in various colours and weights, perfect for pairing with coloured envelopes.
• Wood Grain Cardstock: Embossed with a subtle wood grain texture, often used for accents and enclosure cards.
• Laid Cardstock: A lesser-known option with subtle vertical ridges, offering a soft and romantic feel.

Trial and Error

Remember that choosing the right paper may involve a bit of trial and error. Don't be afraid to experiment with different papers, weights, and finishes to find the perfect combination for your butterfly wedding invitations.

Creating butterfly paper embellishments

Making paper butterflies is a simple process and a fun activity to do for your wedding invitations. You can use a range of different papers, from origami paper to cardstock, and even pretty gift wrap. The paper can be any colour, but it is recommended to use paper that is thinner than regular paper, such as origami paper, for easy folding. You can also use textured paper like linen or felt cardstock for a unique look.

To make a simple butterfly, start by folding a square piece of paper in half, then unfold it and fold it in half the other way. You should now have two creases that intersect in the middle. Next, fold the paper in half diagonally and then unfold it, repeating this step for the opposite diagonal. You should now have four creases that intersect in the middle. Bring the right and left creases together to create a triangle shape. You should now have two layers, so grab the corners of the top layer and line them up with the crease in the middle of the triangle.

Flip the triangle over and fold the bottom upwards, leaving a small tip showing. You are not folding it in half, but rather about one-third of the way up. Now, take the top layer of that tip and fold it over the base. Pull down the pieces from the bottom layer to create the lower wings of the butterfly.

For a more intricate butterfly, you can make accordion folds. Cut the square paper in half and take one piece, folding it in half lengthwise. Open it up and fold in the corners so you have a rectangle with pointed ends. Fold it in half again, with the coloured side facing out. Now, make accordion folds on each side, with each fold about half a centimetre wide. Repeat this process for the other half of the paper. Tie the two halves together with a ribbon or thread, or secure them with glue.

You can also use a paper punch or a die-cutting machine to create butterfly shapes quickly and easily.

Using a paper punch

To create the butterflies, simply punch out your desired shapes from cardstock. The author of the source material used yellow textured, shiny metallic cardstock, but you can choose any colour and style that suits your wedding theme and colour palette. If you want to get really creative, you can even use multiple colours and layer the butterflies for a 3D effect.

Once you've punched out your butterflies, you can adhere them to your invitations with a small dab of glue or adhesive. If you're feeling extra crafty, you can also try sewing them in place by sewing a few lines at a slight angle across the front of the invitation. This will give your invitations a unique, handmade touch that your guests are sure to admire.

With a paper punch, the possibilities for customisation are endless! You can play around with different papers, punches, and colours to create invitations that truly reflect your style and personality. So get punching and happy crafting!

Adding adhesive

When making butterfly wedding invitations, adhesive is needed to attach the cardstock to the handmade paper, and to secure the paper butterflies to the front of the invitations.

Firstly, take your printed cardstock and place two small dabs of adhesive on the back. This will hold the cardstock in place on the handmade paper. Centre the cardstock onto the paper, lining it up to the right side.

Next, fold the left side of the handmade paper over, so that it reaches about a third of the way across the invite. Add another two small dabs of adhesive to hold the paper down.

Now, take your paper butterflies and add a small amount of adhesive to the back of each one. Arrange the butterflies onto the front of the handmade paper. You can use as many or as few butterflies as you like, and place them wherever you wish.

Finally, you can add some extra lines of adhesive at a slight angle across the front of the invitation. This will ensure that the butterflies are held securely in place.

Frequently asked questions