Butterfly Wings for Kid’s Dress Up

SUPPLIES & TOOLS:

• 1 each 24"x40" EVA Foam sheets, 2 mm & 5 mm
• Heat gun
• Cutting board
• Iron
• X-Acto knife, #11 blades
• 1 or 2 pieces of 22"x 28" posterboard
• Mod Podge
• Fabri-Tac adhesive
• Contact cement
• 2oz Multi Surface Paint, 1 each of Lavender Lace & Titanium White
• Palette
• Brushes, 1" & 2" foam, 1" chip, disposable 1/2"-3/4" flat (for contact cement)
• Fabric, solid sheer & print sheer
• Optional accent satin, 1/4yd
• Sandpaper, 100 grit
• 3/4" braided elastic, 2 @ 21"
• 3/4" white Velcro, 2 @ 5"
• Pencil

DIRECTIONS:

1. Transfer one of each wing pattern and one of each connector to one sheet of posterboard. Cut. Transfer outlines only of wing patterns and connectors with openings to foam sheets using pencil. Two top wings and two bottom wings, each reversed, on each sheet of foam. One of each connector panel on the 2mm foam.
2. Press the pencil lines accurately to leave a distinct impression on the foam. Cut each wing and connector about 1/4" outside of outlines, cut connector openings. Apply heat with heat gun in circular motions on each side of foam to seal pores.
3. Paint: On a flat, covered surface lay wings next to one another as they will appear in final layout. Lay out connectors next to wings. Apply finishes extending beyond the outline marks. Paint all on one side with a thin layer of Mod Podge using a foam brush and crosshatch strokes. Let dry. Flip the back connector and paint with Mod Podge. Let dry. Paint all with white paint. Let dry. Paint wings in an hombre of lavender to white from the center out. Paint the connectors with white only. Coat the back connector on both sides. Use crosshatch strokes. Let dry.
4. Transfer all interior lines of wings to painted side of foam lining up the original outline with the outer edge of pattern. Cut with X-Acto knife. Press fabric. Fabric will be applied to the WS, unpainted side, of 5mm foam wings. Determine fabric spacing by laying wing RSU on top of fabric. It may be easier to see the fabric in contrast to the wings by laying the fabric on posterboard first. Satin may be applied to areas. Layer sheer over an open area. Lay the WS of satin over the back of the sheer. This will give the impression of a different color and texture without having to layer a second piece of satin. Flip the wing to unpainted side up. Lay fabric over area to be covered. Trim fabric to the center of foam outside area to be covered. Place a small bead of Fabri-Tac around perimeter of foam opening to be covered. Immediately place the fabric in place and press. Stretch fabric to lay smooth over foam. Attach a small area at a time.
5. Move to a ventilated area. Match fronts and backs of wings, one 2mm and one 5mm with fabric covering holes. Brush a thin layer of contact cement to the WS of one set of wings making sure to brush to all the edges of foam. Pick up the 2mm foam wing and WST press to the 5 mm wing. Lightly lay one edge together. Adjust the top foam to lay flush with the bottom foam. Press. Repeat.
6. Use contact cement to attach one upper wing to one lower wing. Reverse for second set of wings. Use curve on connector panel for angle. Layer the wings. Mark the outline of the overlap space on both sides of wings. Separate wings and apply a thin layer of contact cement on both wings in overlap area. Replace wings, press. Repeat.
7. Mark wing location lines on one side of the back connector. Lay wings on a flat surface, lower wings flat to surface. Center of wings touching. Lay back connector on top of upper wings, side with location lines down toward wings. Adjust wings so the upper lobes of the connector lay centered on the top foam outline of the upper wing. The bottom lobes should land centered on the bottom foam outline of the upper wing. Draw around the connector onto the foam of the upper wing. Remove the connector. Apply contact cement from the center of the wings out to the marked lines. Apply contact cement to the connector, within the marked areas. Press the connector to the wings. Flip the wings.
8. Set the front connector on top of the lower wings, paint side up. The upper lobes of the connector should land centered on the top foam outline of the lower wings. Draw around the connector onto the wing. Remove the connector. Apply contact cement to the back of the connector and to the wings within the marks. Press the connector to the wings. Let dry.
9. Cut elastic strap holes through all layers of foam. Cut through the holes in connectors to the opposite side of foam. Slight sawing motion with an X-Acto knife will make the cleanest cut.
10. Elastic straps: Fold one end of 21" elastic 1/2". Place one end of one side of 5" Velcro 1/4" onto fold. Sew in place. Repeat with second side of Velcro on opposite side of other end of elastic. Repeat.
11. Insert elastic ends through back connector top and bottom holes. Elastic should face down so when overlapped in the front the Velcro will not be visible.

JOANN HACKS:

• Due to the flexible nature of the EVA foam the upper wings will bend as the wings are held vertically.