October Calendar Project

Project: Papilio Zalmoxis Publication: Inspirations Magazine Issue #122 Designer: Martina Frank

This coming Thursday it will be time to turn your 2026 Inspirations Calendar to October, and in a truly serendipitous moment, the feature project is none other than Papilio Zalmoxis, another stunning butterfly project by Martina Frank.

Found in tropical environments, this superb creature is the second largest African swallowtail, with a wingspan of between 12cm and 16cm (4¾"–6¼").

Martina has recreated the Papilio Zalmoxis at true life-size using more than thirty shades of lustrous silk to capture its shimmering turquoise, seafoam and meadow green wings.

Fine wire worked around the edge of each wing allows them to bend gently upwards, giving it a lifelike stance, while a clever technique of couching a second colour over existing stitches builds up the tiny spots and narrow iridescent lines across the surface.

This dimensional beauty is a piece you'll find yourself returning to all month long.

Instructions for Papilio Zalmoxis can be found in Inspirations Issue #122, or as a digital pattern using the link below.