Although it may look complicated, cutwork is really quite simple. In fact, if you have ever stitched an applique on your embroidery machine, the technique is pretty much the same. Instead of adding fabric, you are cutting it away and one of the design’s color stops allows you to do so.

The design is Rose Cutwork Border by Ace Points. I stitched it on a 100 percent cotton hand towel. Any quality cotton towel will do. This one was more like a flour sack towel. The pattern was printed on it rather than woven into it so the back of the towel is white.

Start by laundering the towel according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This will eliminate any shrinkage. Dry until slightly damp and then iron it to remove all wrinkles before embroidery.

Hoop a fabric-type water soluble stabilizer and float the towel (spray the back of the towel with temporary adhesive and finger-press it into the hoop. I centered the design on the lower half of the towel so it would display nicely while hanging.

Normally, I would use the same color of thread as that with which I was stitching so that the back of the towel looked as nice as the front. Since this towel had a white back, I used regular bobbin thread so that it would blend into the background.

Most of the time, I would use a water-soluble topper on top of towels to keep the stitches from sinking in. Since this towel did not have a nap, a topper was not used.

Undoubtedly, the full collection of Rose Cutwork includes full embroidery instructions. The single design instructions only show color stops. The first color stitched lines showing the cutout area.

 The area inside of the stitching will be cut away.

Remove the hoop from the machine and carefully cut away the towel but don't cut through the stabilizer. If you should happen to clip the stabilizer, just patch it with a scrap piece of stabilizer.

Return the hoop to the machine and continue stitching the design.

When stitching is done, clip away excess water-soluble stabilizer and rinse the rest away for a gorgeous, heirloom towel.

Debbie SewBlest