Invite
a breath of spring with this action insect project.
Assemble wings, body and
mechanism strip on
a traditional wooden clothespin to enable
replica insect to
gently open and close its wings.
Shapes placed under flourish wings allow for
separate upper and lower coloration.
Add front and back designs so that wings
look great from any view.
Butterfly measures approx. 4.875” across x
3.125” top
to bottom
(not including the standard wooden clothespin)
when completely
assembled.
ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:
A butterfly base with center folding sequence
B & C top lacy overlays
D & E top upper and lower contrast underlays
F mechanism strip (attaches to clothespin
G & H bottom lacy overlays
I & J bottom upper and lower contrast underlays
K body base, full body, head overlay
Also shown is a "standard" wooden spring action
clothespin (sample has been painted to match F)
1. Position the upper underlays and lower underlays
beneath the corresponding top lacy wings with
outer edges aligned and glue in place. Then . . .
noting . . .
. . . that as the two underlays are positioned,
the "joint" between should butt together behind
the mid-wing bridge spoke to be hidden.
(Press the glued-together components under a heavy,
flat weight to dry while the next steps are completed.)
2. Prepare the wings base shape center folds:
center pair should be folded as valley folds;
working outward, the next pair of folds
should be folded as mountain folds;
then the outer folds should be valley folds.
3. Apply sturdy, quick-grab adhesive to the underside
of the center segment between the first pair of
perforations. Then . . .
. . . position the unit over the top face of the clothespin
so the glue segment is centered, and the crests
of the top edge are even with the top of the face.
Glue in place, applying pressure until secure.
Allow to dry thoroughly.
4. The center folds will now be pleated inward to strengthen
and add depth to the center portion to assist with
the flapping action.
Apply glue to the narrow segments next to the center
segment that has already been attached to
the clothespin, then . . .
. . . pleat inward on each side to attach these folds
in place.
The inward fold edges of this pleating should
abut at the center. Apply pressure until secure.
5. Gently raise each pleat under and add glue between
segments so that the center attachment area is
fully secured in place. Apply pressure until
thoroughly set and dry.
6. Prepare the mechanism strip by bending the center
pair of perf lines as mountain folds, and the tip tab
perf lines as valley folds.
7. Reverse the strip and apply strong quick-grab glue
to the backside of the center segment. Then . . .
. . . position at the tip of the clothespin's bottom face
as shown. NOTE that this positioning must align . . .
. . . where the bottom wing "notch" will fit around
strip to allow the wings to fully bend in
flapping motion. CHECK position by bending strip
extensions into position on each side of the wing base
where it will eventually be attached.
Then use the wing shape lined up at underside
of wing base to check and adjust the strip's
position if necessary, before glue begins to grab.
underside of strip tab ends only. Bend tabs into place
to attach to wing base undersides. Hold in place
until thoroughly dried.
9. Position and attach lower wings to underside
of wing base, with outer edges aligned, and notch
fit around mechanism strip as auditioned in step 7.
10. Position and attach upper wings to wing base
front surfaces in similar manner.
11. Bend body base tip back, then position and
attach in place to center of wing assembly, with . . .
. . . tip bent around clothespin's tip and glued there.
12. Position the whole body shape over body base
with lower tips aligned, then position and attach
head over whole body.
13. To make the wings flap, use fingers at bottom tip
of clothespin to depress and release spring action.
(Refer to the video clip.)
Here is the completed project.
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