🦋 Butterfly Patchwork Block and Mug Rug Pattern

This little butterfly block is one of those projects that looks sweet but is actually very simple to make. 💛

At just 4.5″ unfinished, it’s perfect for a quick mug rug—or you can always turn it into a full quilt later.

Finished size = 4" x4"

✂️ Cutting Guide (1 Butterfly Block)

For the butterfly (2 fabrics):

• 1 square – 3″ x 3″ (for half square triangles)

• 2 squares - 2.5: x 2.5"

For the background:

• 1 square – 3″ x 3″ (to pair with butterfly fabric for HSTs)

• 6 rectangles – 1.5″ x 1.5″

Step by step

Half Square Triangle

The 3″ squares are used to create half square triangles (HSTs) 2-at-a time method

• Pair your fabrics

  Place one butterfly fabric square and one background square right sides together.

• Draw a diagonal line

  On the back of one square, draw a line from corner to corner.

• Sew on both sides

  Stitch ¼″ away from the diagonal line on both sides.

• Cut along the line

  Cut directly on the drawn line to create 2 triangle units.

• Open and press

  Press the seam open or press to one side (your preference).

• Trim to size

Square up each unit to 2.5″ x 2.5″.

Stitch-and-Flip (Snowball Corner Units)

• Place a 1.5″ square right sides together on the corner of the unit.

• Draw a diagonal line on the small square.

• Stitch on the drawn line.

• Trim excess fabric, leaving a ¼″ seam allowance.

• Flip the small square open.

• Press. Repeat to all 3 corners

Complete the Block

• Sew two HSTs together to form one row.

• Sew the stitch-and-flip units together to form the second row.

• Press seams in opposite directions.

• Join the rows together.

Finished block size: 4″ (4.5″ unfinished)

Mug Rug Pattern

Once your block is done, you can easily turn it into a mug rug:

• Add background around the block

• Layer with batting or interfacing

• Place the backing write side down

• Sew around (leave a gap), curve the corner, turn, and finish

• You can also quilt it as usual and finish with binding.

Tutorial

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Baby quilt sample

Make eight butterfly blocks and sixteen 4.5″ × 4.5″ squares, then add double 4″ borders to create this 32″ × 40″ baby quilt.

Cutting guide