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How to Make Butterfly Perler Beads
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How to Make a Perler Bead Butterfly

This adorable Perler bead butterfly is so much fun to make! Turn your beaded butterflies into magnets, ornaments, or hang them in your windows -- the possibilities are endless!
Active Time15 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Yield: 1 Perler bead butterfly
Author: Debbie Chapman
Cost: $1

Equipment

Materials

Instructions

Step 1: Find what you need

  • Gather your supplies and materials.
    Perler-Bead-Butterfly-Supplies

Step 2: Prepare your pegboard

  • Print our free butterfly Perler bead patterns, or follow along with the template on your device’s screen.
    Find the link to one of the patterns in the materials list above. The others can be found below this tutorial.
    Perler-Bead-Butterfly-1
  • To make the larger Perler bead butterfly you’ll need a large square pegboard. The smaller butterflies require a small square board.
    If you have a clear pegboard you can place it on top of the printed pattern to make it easier to follow along. We also find it helpful to sort the Perler bead colours we need and divide them into small bowls.
    Perler-Bead-Butterfly-2

Step 3: Follow the pattern

  • Begin placing the beads according to the pattern.
    Optional: Use tweezers to place the Perler beads. It makes it easier to add a bead to a specific peg, especially for larger (adult) fingers. Any type of tweezer will do, or you can buy specific plastic crafting tweezers that are great for kids.
    Perler-Bead-Butterfly-3a
  • Work your way across the pattern. You can add the beads colour by colour, working outside in, or go from one side to another - whatever is easiest for you.
    Perler-Bead-Butterfly-4

Step 4: Iron the butterfly

  • Place the pegboard on an ironing board or wooden cutting board. Cover the Perler bead design with a piece of parchment paper.
    Perler-Bead-Butterfly-5
  • Heat your iron to medium temperature, no steam. Place the iron on the parchment paper and move it around in circular motions for at least 15 to 20 seconds.
    Perler-Bead-Butterfly-6a
  • Check the beads to see if they’re melted together. Continue to iron for another 10 to 20 seconds, if necessary.
    The beads are melted correctly when the parchment paper sticks to the beads and needs to be peeled away from them.
    Perler-Bead-Butterfly-7

Step 5: Let the melted beads cool

  • Leave your butterfly Perler bead design on the pegboard until it's cool to the touch.
    When you remove it, place it under a stack of heavy books to stop it from warping as it cools completely.
    Perler-Bead-Butterfly-8
  • Your Perler bead butterfly is complete!
    Perler-Bead-Butterfly-9

Video

Notes

Looking for more fun Perler bead designs? Here's a few of our favourites:
Cat Perler Beads
Dinosaur Perler Beads
Perler Bead Picture Frame