Properly digitized machine cutwork embroidery designs can be
used for making amazing cutwork projects fast, with clean and professional
cut-out holes. No experience is required. If you know to embroider regular
designs AND follow this technique, you should do amazing cutwork
designs.
suitable fabric - we suggest to use the materials that are traditional for
cutwork, like linen and cotton; avoid using stretchy, slippery and easily
fraying types of fabric.
Step-by-step instruction for using cutwork
designs
1. Hoop the base fabric, with one or two layers of
strong water soluble stabilizer under it (2-nd, bottom layer).
Be sure to
pre-shrink the fabric, and hoop everything properly - the fabric should sit
sight in hoop, but must NOT be stretched in any direction. If you fail to hoop
properly, or forget to pre-shrink the fabric, there will be some ugly puckering
/ bubbling.
Note: large hoops often don't hold fabric properly. If your
hoop is not perfect, try to insert some paper towel between the hoop rings, from
all 4 hoop sides, when hoping.
2. Embroider the first thread of
cutwork design. When your machine stops on the first thread color change, take
out the hoop (do NOT unhoop).
For the first thread of cutwork embroidery
design, any light thread color will be ok, since it will be hidden under satin
stitches later. The finished embroidery after "step 2" should look like
this:
3. Take
out your sharp applique scissors, and cut out ONLY the areas of FABRIC that are
supposed to be holes.
The stabilizer must remain, and be very careful not
to damage it. You may use tiny scissors with curved edges in order to "catch"
the fabric layer at first, without damaging your water soluble backing. Then,
continue cutting along the outlined edge, using applique scissors. Cut as close
to the seam as you can, without damaging the stitches.
Here is how your
cutwork embroidery design should look after "step 3":
4. Embroider the rest of cutwork design.
All the edges will now be covered by beautiful satin
stitches. See a photo "in process" of "step 4":
5. Wash away your water soluble backing, according to it's manufacturer instructions.
Cutwork design ready!
