Originally Posted by
Tartan
If the stitching is a nice buttonhole along the edge and you want to preserve it, I might cut around the butterfly with enough to fabric to turn the edges under. I would then hand applique it to a new background square.
If I was going to try do something with blocks like that - I would soak them in hot water to see what the fabric will do - then lay them out on towels to dry. Sometimes the shrinkage can really distort the fabrics and make the finished product look weird.
Unless these pieces are going to be framed and under glass, I like to know if the fabrics will bleed or shrink before investing any more time in them.
Reason for my caution: I had acquired a very cute skirt at a yard sale with appliequed flowers and leaves on it - when washed - in tepid water - the appliques and fabric under them got very wonky and would not lay flat.