Butterfly wings are a great costume and fun to make! Use cardboard or wire hangers and stockings to make the wings, then attach the straps so they're easy to put on. Stick to an interesting design if you want to create bright and colorful wings. This craft is easy, fast, and the ingredients are easy to find.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Making Wings out of Cardboard
Step 1. Draw the outline of the butterfly's wings on a wide piece of cardboard
Make your wings as symmetrical as possible for a realistic look. You are free to determine the size of the wings to be made! If you don't think you're good at drawing butterfly wings, search the internet for templates and print them out.
- If you want, you can use paper instead of cardboard. Paper wings are not as strong as cardboard, but they will look similar.
- The number of boxes needed will depend on the desired wing size. However, usually 1 square meter of cardboard is more than enough.
Step 2. Use a craft knife to cut out the butterfly wings
Place the cardboard on a cutting board and carefully cut the wings of the butterfly with a craft knife (cutter). Try to cut only inside the line so the pen marks won't show up on the butterfly's wings.
Ask your parents to help you cut the butterfly's wings because knives can be dangerous
Step 3. Cut 4 1 cm holes in the center of the butterfly wings
Use a craft knife to cut 2 holes next to each other, about 2 cm apart. Then, cut 2 more holes measuring 2 cm below them. These holes allow you to attach straps to the butterfly wings.
It doesn't matter if the hole isn't exactly in the center of the butterfly's wing. You can judge for yourself
Step 4. Color the front of the butterfly's wings, if you like
Place the butterfly wings on a sheet of scrap paper to protect the work surface from paint. Paint the butterfly's wings a plain color, or give it a striped or polka dot pattern. Let your creativity flow and use your imagination!
Water-based paints are a good choice because they are easy to remove from clothing; however, you can also use oil and acrylic paints
Step 5. Wait for 2 hours for the paint to dry, then paint the reverse side
Place your butterfly wings in a safe, dry place away from animals or children. When it's dry, flip it over and paint on the other side so that the back side of the wing doesn't go blank when you put it on.
- If you want to add embellishments to butterfly wings, choose sequins, glitter, tissue, stickers, or beads.
- If the paint is still wet after 2 hours, allow it to dry for another hour or until it is dry to the touch.
Step 6. Thread the two ends of the 2 meter long rope through each of the top 2 holes
Thread the string from the side of the painted wing first (the side that will be facing the back). Pull the rope so that it is symmetrical on both sides. Thus, you make a knot through the front-facing side of the butterfly's wing.
- If the rope doesn't fit through the hole, burn the end of the rope so that the end is more pointed. Be careful with fire.
- This rope will become a strap so that the wings can be easily worn.
Step 7. Thread both ends of the rope back from the side of the wing facing forward through the bottom hole
Thus, you make the straps like in a backpack. Push the right end of the rope through the bottom right hole and the left end through the bottom left hole.
Step 8. Tuck both ends of the rope under the top rope knot
This step will help you tighten the rope and make the wings appear to have antennae. If the rope is too long, simply cut it to the desired size using scissors.
The pressure of the hole in the rope will keep the rope from moving; however, if the leash is exposed, try tying the ends of the rope in a double knot
Method 2 of 2: Using a Wire Hanger
Step 1. Bend the 2 wire hangers into a butterfly wing shape
Leave the hook of the hanger as it is and use your fingers to push and pull the remaining wire into a wing shape. Try to make the two wings as close as possible to make it look realistic.
If you have trouble bending the wire, try using pliers
Step 2. Pull each hook into a loop
This step helps the hooks from sticking out and hurting the person wearing the wings. If there's enough wire, wrap it around the base of the hook so it doesn't move.
If you have trouble bending the wire, use pliers to make it easier
Step 3. Insert each wire wing into the leg of the stocking
Gently push the wings so that the stockings don't tear. If the stockings get caught in the bumps in the wire, simply lift the stockings and pull them over the bumps so they don't tear. Keep pushing until all the wings are in the stockings.
In some countries, stockings are called pantyhose
Step 4. Tie each end of the stocking close to the hanger
Tie one end of the stocking and pull the stocking tight, then tie the other end as close to the hanger as possible. Thus, the stockings are pulled tightly against the hanger wire so that they look like wings. Cut off the excess stocking ends using scissors.
Repeat the process on both wings
Step 5. Wrap the two hanger hooks together to form the center of the wing
Place 1 hook on top of the other hook. Then, completely cover the wire with duct tape. This prevents the wire from puncturing the skin when the wings are worn.
Step 6. Attach an elastic band to each wing
Tie 2 elastic bands 50 cm long to form a knot. Stretch each knot through each wing so that it is in the center of the butterfly. This knot will act as the wing strap.
- Attach the elastic knot in the same way as on the backpack straps.
- You are free to determine where this elastic knot is because the wings will keep it in the center of the butterfly.
Step 7. Color the butterfly's wings, if desired
This is a great way to make butterfly wings look unique. Consider creating a matching, vibrant pattern of stripes, polka dots, or patterns on the wings. Leave the wings for 2 hours to dry before you can put them on.
- Paint the wings orange or black to make them look like monarch butterflies.
- Fabric paints are ideal for this craft; however, you can also use water-based and acrylic paints.
