Batik Butterflies Book

The book filled with beautiful Butterfly patterns!

The common name “butterfly” is believed to have originated in England. Brimstone species looked similar to the color of churned butter, thus the name "butter-fly."

Ancient civilizations believed that butterflies were symbols of the human soul. The Greeks called butterflies “psyche” which means soul. Like other cultures, they believed that when    people die, their souls go to heaven as butterflies. Chinese and   Japanese cultures used butterflies to symbolize joy and the essence of happiness. They added their images to manuscripts, paintings and drawings.

In France, butterflies are called “Papillion.” Parking tickets are also called Papillion because they are written on large pieces of yellow paper. When placed under the windshield, tickets flapping in the wind resemble yellow butterflies.

World-wide, there are approximately 28,000 different species of butterflies. Approximately 725 species are found in the in the United States and Canada. Nearly 2,000 species of butterflies have been found in Mexico. Nearly 80% of all butterfly species are found in the tropics.  

Butterfly quilts can be either pieced or appliquéd. Appliquéd butterfly quilts are more abundant than those that are pieced. Many times, the butterflies that    appeared on quilts during the 1930s were cut out of brightly colored fabric, then buttonhole stitched onto a background fabric using black embroidery floss.

Butterfly designs have also appeared in vintage Redwork quilts. Most earlier Redwork quilts (1880-1920) were stitched to a muslin background using red embroidery floss. Sometimes indigo blue was used to create these quilts. By the 1930s and 40s, hand-embroidered butterfly blocks were stitched in a multitude of colors. Some quilters even used satin stitches to complement the outline stitch.

Batik Butterflies Book is the book version of our popular Block of the Month Program! Designed by Roxy Burgard, each butterfly is set on point and surrounded by four beautiful batik fabrics. There are 12 different butterfly blocks, named after real butterflies. Instructions are given for creating 12 different quilt blocks set into a beautiful 48” x 60” wall quilt. Creative Ideas for additional projects include a project for a matching pillow and table runner. Bonus materials about butterflies and batik fabrics are also included. Author: Roxy Burgard and Rachel Greco; Patti-Ann Publications; softcover.