How to sew quilted fairy, dragon and butterfly wings

To sew quilted wings, layer batting, front fabric and back fabric, stitch around the edge, turn the wings right side out, then quilt the vein lines and add two elastic loops that go over the shoulders like a backpack. Each Sewzy wings pattern takes about an hour and comes in Toddler, Kid and Adult sizes.

TL;DR

• Three patterns share one method: Quilted Fairy Wings, Quilted Dragon Wings and Quilted Butterfly Wings.
• Beginner level, about 60 minutes. They are Premium patterns in the Sewzy app.
• Sizes: Toddler, Kid and Adult. Use lightweight batting, never a thick fill.
• Fabric: ½ yard of front, back and batting for Toddler, ¾ yard for Kid, 1¼ yards for Adult, on 45 inch wide fabric.
• You also need ¾ inch elastic for two shoulder loops. Seam allowance is ⅜ inch (1 cm), included.

What do I need to sew quilted wings?

• Front fabric: satin, organza over satin, glitter tulle over cotton, velvet or quilting cotton.
• Back fabric: cotton.
• Batting: low-loft cotton or polyester batting, or fusible fleece. Lightweight batting keeps the wings comfortable to wear.
• Elastic: ¾ inch wide, for 2 loops.
• Tools: a walking foot, a water-soluble pen and thread.

What size are quilted wings?

Each wing pattern has three sizes. The numbers below are the finished size listed in each pattern's size key. Print all three sizes and cut the one you want.

How much fabric do quilted wings need?

For each size you need the same amount of front fabric, back fabric and batting, on 45 inch wide fabric.

The elastic loops are measured on the person: go over the shoulder and under the arm, then subtract 2 inches.

How do I sew quilted fairy wings, step by step?

The method is the same for fairy, dragon and butterfly wings. Only the outline changes.

1. Cut. Print your size and tape the tiles together. Fold each fabric and the batting in half and put the straight edge of the pattern on the fold. Cut 2 fabric wings (the front and back can be different) and 1 batting wing. Copy the two elastic loop boxes and the gap marks onto the wrong side of the back piece.
2. Layer. Lay the batting flat, put the front fabric on it right side up, then the back fabric right side down. Pin or clip around the whole edge. Mark a 6 inch gap on the center-back edge.
3. Sew. Stitch all the way around ⅜ inch from the edge with a walking foot, and leave the gap open. Trim the batting close to the stitching, clip into the inner curves and notch the outer curves so the edge turns smoothly.
4. Turn and press. Turn the wings right side out through the gap and push out the lobes with a blunt tool. Press, then topstitch ¼ inch around the edge. This also closes the gap.
5. Quilt the veins. Mark the vein lines with a water-soluble pen, then stitch them through all layers. Start every line at the center back. A slightly longer stitch than usual looks good, and a contrast thread makes the veins stand out.
6. Add the elastic loops. Cut two elastic loops to your size. Overlap the ends by 1 inch to make a loop, then stitch each loop to the back inside its marked box with a small square. Try the wings on and adjust the overlap before the final stitching.

What is the best fabric for quilted wings?

Satin gives shine, and organza over satin gives a shimmer that catches light. Glitter tulle over cotton gives sparkle with a soft cotton layer underneath. Velvet works well for dragon wings. Quilting cotton is the easiest to handle for a first pair.

If your front fabric is sequined or foil, use a Teflon foot and a longer stitch. If you would rather skip layering the batting, fuse fusible fleece to the back piece instead.

Fairy, dragon or butterfly wings: which one?

The method, the fabric amounts and the time are the same, so pick the one the wearer asks for. Fairy wings suit organza, glitter tulle and pastel satin. Dragon wings look good in velvet or deep green, purple and red. Butterfly wings are a little larger at every size, with room for bright prints.

Common mistakes with costume wings

• Using thick batting. It makes the wings heavy and stiff. Stay with low-loft batting or fusible fleece.
• Skipping the clipping and notching. Without it the curves pucker when you turn them.
• Starting the vein lines at the edge. Start at the center back so the stitching stays flat.
• Making the loops too long. Measure on the person, then subtract 2 inches so the wings sit close to the back.
• Letting a child sleep in the wings. Costume wings are for supervised dress-up play. Take them off before bed.

Care

Spot clean the wings. Cotton versions can be machine washed cold and air dried, then pressed from the back.

More dress-up ideas

Add a fabric crown or a superhero cape for a full set, or browse the costume sewing patterns. For more ideas, read DIY Halloween costumes to sew. Download Sewzy on the App Store to get the wings patterns.