*NEW* PATTERN SHEET: MONARCH BUTTERFLY

The MONARCH BUTTERFLY block was designed as part of my recent MY SECRET GARDEN exclusive block-of-the-month [BOM] program, which we just finished up as a group last month.

I knew as soon as I designed the butterfly for the program that I wanted to find a way to offer it on its own – it’s just the sweetest! And so many of you who were not in the program have asked for it but I just didn’t know when I would fit it into the schedule. And then Lacey went rogue.

Yup, that is a common occurance around these parts. Lacey goes rogue and her going rogue is pretty much always a good thing especially for you all… because it means that I have to do that thing that I didn’t think I had the time to do. As soon as she showed me her little stacks of butterflies… I knew.

… here is the original MONARCH BUTTERFLY within the My Secret Garden BOM.

… And here it is in both the color groupings we used in the program.

I had a few small blocks of time to work up the PATTERN SHEET and it’s officially ready to go! If you missed out on the BOM, you can now enjoy one of the top block favorites from the quilt:

**CLICK HERE TO GRAB THE MONARCH BUTTERFLY PATTERN SHEET!**

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SETTING OPTIONS

The pattern sheet gives instructions for creating a single butterfly block. See below for suggestions on various finishing options, as well as Lacey’s progress photos and tips!

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TABLE TOPPER

Finishes at 34″ x 36″
(12) Monarch Butterfly blocks

• (20) 1 1/2″ sq. green cornerstones/posts
• (15) 1 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ horizontal sashing strips
• (16) 1 1/2″ x 6 3/4″ vertical sashing strips
• (4) 1 1/2″ x 30 1/2″ L/R & T/B inner borders
• (2) 2 1/4″ x 32 1/2″ L/R outer borders
• (2) 2 1/4″ x 34″ T/B outer borders

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TABLE RUNNER

I couldn’t pick my favorite for the mock ups so did both. I think I might have a few more in the works to show you next week!

Finishes at 16″ x 60 1/2″
(7) Monarch Butterfly blocks

• (7) 1 3/4″ x 8 1/2″ horizontal sashing strips
• (2) 1 3/4″ x 53″ L/R inner border
• (2) 1 3/4″ x 11″ T/B inner border
• (2) 3″ x 55 1/2″ L/R outer border
• (2) 3″ x 16″ T/B outer border

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LAP QUILT

Finishes at 48 3/4″ x 58″
(26) Monarch Butterfly blocks

• (4) 4 1/4″ x 8 1/2″ offset setting rectangles
• (26) 1 3/4″ x 8 1/2″ horizontal sashing strips
• (5) 2 3/4″ x 53″ vertical sashing strips
• (2) 3″ x 53″ L/R outer border
• (2) 3″ x 48 3/4″ T/B outer border

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LARGER LAP QUILT

Finishes at 54 1/2″ x 62″
(33) Monarch Butterfly blocks

• (4) 4 1/4″ x 8 1/2″ offset setting rectangles
• (33) 1 3/4″ x 8 1/2″ horizontal sashing strips
• (4) 1 3/4″ x 53″ vertical sashing rows
• (2) 2 1/2″ x 53″ L/R inner border
• (2) 2 1/2″ x 49 1/2″ T/B inner border
• (2) 3″ x 57″ L/R outer border
• (2) 3″ x 54 1/2″ T/B outer border

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FROM LACEY [@laceypoirier]:

Hello everyone! It’s Lacey. I fell in love with this little butterfly block from the Secret Garden BOM and before I knew it, I was raiding my stash bins and cutting pretty piles of fabric. I thought it might be fun to show you a few “in progress” pictures and give you a few tips if you want to create a butterfly project of your own!

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TIPS FOR THE MONARCH BUTTERFLY PATTERN

If you plan to make one of the larger MONARCH BUTTERFLY project ideas above, you will want to first think about your color scheme. You can, of course, go full-on scrappy, but I found using 3-5 fabric “colorways” helped it stay cohesive. For my butterfly wings, I went with reds, yellows, greens, and just a touch of a pink-ish/purple and completely raided my scrap bins.

Within the colorways, I varied the color tone – using both lighter and darker shades of each color. Some fabrics were used only in one butterfly wing “pair”, while others may have been used several times. Again, I based it off what I had in my stash.

Next, decide how many butterfly blocks you will be making, and try to equally divide out your colors. For instance, if you are making (12) butterflies and using (3) colorways, you may want to create (4) upper and lower wing pair units from each colorway. Then, simple mix up your upper and lower wings for a colorful, but cohesive, feel.

I am making the full quilt, which requires (33) butterfly blocks. I went ahead and made (35) total blocks and I’ll make a few project bags with the (2) unused blocks at a later time…seriously, project bags are my latest addiction – check out THIS BLOG POST for full video tutorials and make a few of your own.

But back to the project at hand…I decided on (10) upper/lower wing pairs from the red, yellow, and green colorways – which makes up 30 of the 35 blocks I needed. Since I wanted just a “splash” of the pinkish-purple, I added in only (5) upper/lower wing pairs from that colorway to make the (35) complete block combos. Then, mix and match to your heart’s content!

For sashing units, I am going to keep with the scrappy feel to add some “sparkle” as Joanna lovingly calls it! Be careful here that your scrappy creams/low volumes aren’t too loud and overshadow your feature butterflies. Shoot for smaller, more delicate, garden-feeling cream prints.

I hope you join me in making a MONARCH BUTTERFLY project. These blocks are super cute, easy to construct, and soooo addicting! ENJOY!

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CAN’T GET ENOUGH?

We’ve got a few other patterns for you butterfly enthusiasts! Check these out…

PAINTED LADIES

Available via PDF.
Finishes at 58″ x 66 1/2″

This is our ORIGINAL butterfly pattern. I had seen so many fun butterfly blocks over the years and some of my favorites have been in both the modern and vintage categories. I guess women have loved butterflies for a long time!  I thought it was time to make our own Fig Tree version of this classic block.

…and with the AGATHA ROAD fabric collection shipping in July, we couldn’t help but reshare this lovely version of PAINTED LADIES made by Megan Edgerton! Grab (4) 1/4 yds. of oranges, creams, greys, and charcoals for a total of (16) fabrics and then follow yardages on the pattern for the rest! She used “black chambray” for her background.

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DAISIES AND BUTTERFLIES

Available via PDF.
Finishes at 33 1/2″ x 33 1/2″

Mix in some daisies for a simple Spring/Summertime table topper that is just too much fun to resist. Just grab your favorite CHARM PACK & a coordinating background!

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Happy Sewing,

-Joanna & Lacey