There is something about a big, cheerful porch decoration that makes a home feel loved, and these oversized butterflies do exactly that. I made mine from the sort of plain wire coat hangers that used to pile up in the back closet, then stretched bright nylon tights over the frames for wings that catch the light in the prettiest way. It is a simple upcycling project, but the finished butterflies look playful and surprisingly grand.
I especially like this project for front porches, garden fences, shed walls, or even a sunny playroom. If you can twist wire, tie knots, and work a little patiently with your hands, you can make these. They remind me of the kind of resourceful decorating I grew up around in the Midwest, where we made something lovely out of what we already had and never thought twice about it.
Materials
Instructions
1. Sort the 16 wire hangers into sets of 2, because each butterfly wing will use one hanger and each full butterfly will need 4 wings.
2. Use your hands and needle-nose pliers to untwist the neck of each hanger and open it into a long wire shape, keeping the hook intact if possible for easier bending.
3. Bend 8 of the wires into large rounded top wings about 18 inches tall and 12 inches wide, twisting the wire ends together tightly at the base of each wing.
4. Bend the remaining 8 wires into slightly smaller bottom wings about 14 inches tall and 10 inches wide, again twisting the ends firmly so each shape holds.
5. Slip one leg of a pair of nylon tights over each wing frame, pulling it snug so the color looks smooth and even across the wire.
6. Gather the open end of the nylon tightly at the wing base, knot it securely, and trim away the excess fabric, leaving about 1 inch to tuck under.
7. Repeat the covering process until all 16 wings are wrapped, using matching colors for each butterfly or mixing colors for a more playful look.
8. Lay out 2 large wings and 2 small wings for one butterfly, overlapping their inner edges so the shapes meet neatly in the center.
9. Secure the four wings together at the center with 2 or 3 zip ties, then wrap floral wire around that same middle section several times for extra strength.
10. Cut a 12-inch length of ribbon and wrap it around the center join to hide the zip ties and create the butterfly body, securing the ends with hot glue on the back.
11. Shape the wings gently with your hands, curving the top wings upward and the bottom wings slightly downward so the butterfly has dimension when hung.
12. Make a hanging loop from a 10-inch piece of ribbon or floral wire, attach it firmly to the back center of the butterfly, and repeat the assembly for the remaining butterflies.
13. If the butterflies will stay outdoors for long stretches, lightly spray them with a clear UV-resistant sealer and let them dry completely before hanging.
14. Hang each butterfly on a porch wall, post, fence, or door area hook, and adjust the wings until they sit open and balanced.
Variations & Tips
Color pairing: Use two shades of the same color for each butterfly if you want a more polished look, or pair warm and cool colors together for a cheerful porch display that feels lively from the road.
Extra sturdy frame: If your hangers are very flimsy, twist two opened hangers together before shaping each wing. That gives you fewer butterflies overall, but each one will hold its shape better in wind.
Porch placement: These show up best against a neutral wall, white railing, natural wood fence, or brick. I like to cluster them in groups of two or three so they look like they have just fluttered in and landed.
Nylon handling: Pull the tights slowly over the wire to avoid runs. If you do snag one, turn that flaw toward the back or cover the spot with a small ribbon bow or silk flower.
Center body detail: For a fuller butterfly body, wrap a strip of scrap batting, quilt stuffing, or even a rolled piece of leftover tights around the center before covering it with ribbon.
Weather tip: Bring the butterflies inside during heavy rain, strong wind, or long periods of direct summer sun. Nylon is bright and pretty, but it will last much longer if you treat it like seasonal porch decor instead of year-round outdoor decor.
Kid-friendly version: If little ones want to help, let them choose the color combinations and hand you zip ties or ribbon while an adult does the wire bending and cutting.