Conquering Cutwork

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.


AnnTheGran.com | Beautiful people make beautiful things

"Mod Olives" Tutorial

To watch a tutorial on how to cut and piece curves using the Quick Curve Ruler go here.    Fabric Requirements for above layout:  *Optional revision to tutorial can be found here. -(48) 6 x 8 rectangles prints (center diamonds) or -(8) Fat Quarters (you wi... [More]

Tear Away or Cut Away. Which Stabilizer Should You Use?

Lightweight tear-away stabilizer (top) and heavy cut-away (bottom).   Like the foundation of your home, stabilizers support the stitches you place upon them. If the foundation is not good, the structure isn't either. With all of these different weights of stabilizers, which do you use? ... [More]

Well, here I am, once again

Well, here I am, once again trying to think of something about which to write. It’s been more than five years since I’ve touched a sewing machine for anything other than to put up a hem or repair a seam. I was never an expert on anything sewing or embroidery related and now the bit o... [More]

Fancy Shoulder Purse

     Do you remember this purse?          I showed it to you in my October 2009 blog, Be Productive.  In that blog I encouraged you to keep a record of your sewing projects so that you could see just how much you are accomplishing.  Have you d... [More]

Embroidery Studio Organization in 6 Easy Steps: The Stitching Sisters’ Practical Guide

We are excited to have Eileen Roche, Editor of Designs in Machine Embroidery share this content with you, which was originally posted on Eileen’s Machine Embroidery Blog:   Marie and I are known as the Stitching Sisters. Not only are we really sisters, we are also the best of... [More]

Embellishing Embroidery

  Machine embroidery is so versatile it becomes a palette with enormous possibilities when you add simple embellishments. Embellishments add interest by making embroidery three dimensional, introducing textures, and adding sparkle. Hot fix crystals are one way to accentuate embroidery designs... [More]

Pinteresting Embroidery

  Pinterest is probably the greatest digital scrapbook ever created. Essentially a collection of images linked to websites, Pinterest is a one-stop way to connect to whatever your interests may be. With more then 25 billion pins, the site is a treasure trove of ideas, but for the purpose of th... [More]

Fancy Chess and Checkers Set

NOTE:  The design sizes as described here and in the Stitch Counts documentavailable below are correct.  Determine which design size is right for you based onthis information.  I used 130 x 180 mm, 150 x 240 mm, and 200 x 260 hoops for Small,Medium and Large designs respectively. ... [More]

7 Ordinary Towels – One Fabulous Gift Part 2 of 2

 We are excited to have Eileen Roche, Editor of Designs in Machine Embroidery share this content with you, which was originally posted on Eileen’s Machine Embroidery Blog:  Add the Icing In case you missed the first installment of this 2 part series click here: &... [More]

Easy Stitch Fix

  It's happened to all of us at one time or another. A project is stitching just fine then, out of nowhere, a glitch with the stitches. It isn't just the waste of materials that we mind, but the loss of time invested. In the sample above, I got almost to the end and ran out of th... [More]

Pucker up!?!

So, stabilizing. I have to admit that it’s something with which I haven’t had many problems. When I got my first embroidery machine, a Brother 7000, the gal in the shop just slipped a piece of stabilizer under the hoop. Until I learned better from fellow embroiderers on the Internet t... [More]

Taming Metallic Threads

  Metallic embroidery threads adds a touch of class to any project—if you can stand to use them that long! Here are some tips for avoiding pitfalls typically associated with metallic threads.   Although this design is beautiful stitched in rayon, the metallic snowflake is exquis... [More]

Every newbie wants to know…

We are excited to have Eileen Roche, Editor of Designs in Machine Embroidery share this content with you, which was originally posted on Eileen’s Machine Embroidery Blog:  By Sherry McCary, Product Development, Designs in Machine Embroidery How do I get designs from the... [More]

Winter Door Sock Project

Dear Readers, Create this Winter Door Sock for your door this winter. See below for project instructions on how to make this project. Materials: Winter Scene Door Sock designs Polyester Fiberfill Sewing Machine Matching Fabric Thread Hand Needles Cutaway ... [More]

Choosing the Right Stabilizer

With the multitude of choices now available, choosing a stabilizer can be daunting. Cut away. Tear away. Fusible. Melt away. Wash away. Which do you use? There is no iron-clad, 100 percent, always-work option. It depends on the stitch count, fabric used, and sometimes the thread, machine, or stabil... [More]

Quick Gift Bags

Create quick and easy gift bags with fabric scraps and a wonderful fusible by Allstitch. This is a fun activity for kids, doesn't involve any sewing, and can be adapted for any occasion. I've made matching gift tags and you could use the same techniques to create cards. Fuse-n-Bond is ... [More]

A few of my favorite things…Tools!

We are excited to have Eileen Roche, Editor of Designs in Machine Embroidery share this content with you, which was originally posted on Eileen’s Machine Embroidery Blog: : As an embroiderer, sewer and crafter you can never have too many tools. Here’s a look at some of my fa... [More]