Flutter by, Butterflies

With just five supplies from the local bargain store and a few household supplies, you can tie dye coffee filters with washable markers to create dozens of gorgeous butterflies!  This is a fun craft idea for anytime of year and very inexpensive to make. 

Materials:

  • Coffee Filters
  • Washable Markers
  • Chenille Stems (Pipe cleaners)
  • Pony Beads
  • Zippered Bags – Gallon Size
  • Spray Bottle filled with water 

Instructions:

  1. Flatten out a coffee filter on top of a gallon size zippered bag.  Draw random designs on the coffee filter with a variety of colors. Remember that color combinations next to each other on the color wheel will become muddy once blended – red and green; blue and orange; yellow and purple. 
  2. Mist coffee filter with water from a spray bottle and then let dry completely.  Set aside to dry but it’s super fun to watch the colors mix and blend!
  3. Create two tie-dyed coffee filters for each butterfly.  
  4. Fan fold two coffee filters to create each butterfly.
  5. Stack fan folded coffee filters on top of each other, as pictured. (Refer to picture at heading.)
  6. Fold chenille stem in half and place coffee filters one-third from base.  Twist the bottom loop of the chenille stem. Twist once above the folded coffee filters, creating a tight section.
  7. Leave a ½” loop and twist again to create the butterfly head.  Leave the antennae straight.
  8. Open and fluff out the wings of the butterfly.  Pinch at the ends to retain the folds.
  9. Thread a pony bead on the end of each antennae and curl into a swirl.

Go to: How to Make Coffee Filter Butterflies – Organized Island to see the step-by-step pictures of construction.