Does anyone do cutwork? I have a few designs I would like to try but the directions aren't very clear. I need help!

Mickey, Have U tried it yet. want to know how u have come out. Lillian

You have some good information to go by, but I want to share these with you!

I am adding a video on how to make a cutwork applique vest too. I hope these help. Enjoy!

Thank you for asking the question, so I got an answer as well.

This is how I do my CUTWORK
Hoop 2 LAYERS of Vilene stabiliser or Aqua Magic the kind that dissolves in water.
Hoop the fabric on top of the Vilene stabiliser.
Use dressmaker pins and pin down outside the stitching area next to the hoop for extra support. Do not stretch the fabric.
Start the embroidery until you have done the section of the design outlining the section to be cut. It will be identified by a row of straight stitches. The pattern usually has a stop here. Remove hoop from machine.
Cutting is the MOST important! Cut as close as you can from the start
Use curved scissors. If you have them, cut the FABRIC only carefully lifting it with the scissors. Start by carefully snipping a little hole and cut right AGAINST the row of stitches. If you get close enough to actually cut the stitches that is just fine as the straight stitch is there for support.
Place hoop back into machine and proceed with embroidery to the end. Cut off all threads.
Remove from the hoop and rinse under warm water. Always iron on the back of design.

1 comment

by mops 05 Aug 2008

Thank you for the explanation. I never dared cut the holes, just embroidered the designs and left them like that.

Mickey see if this tutorial can help u & I didn't look but embroidery Library has probably got a tutorial also

1 comment

by celticlady1031 03 Aug 2008

I'll check out secrets. It didn't seem right to emb. and then cut out but if you say that's how it's done then that's how it's done. I'll give it a try and let you know.

I have done some Mickey What r u wanting to know.? Mine was done on pillow cases& I took applique scissors & cut out the areas I was suppose to. It;s like applique cut as close to stitching as possible without cutting stitches, I took tweezers to help seperate some threads of fabric & trimmed *4U Directions should tell or show u areas to cut out

3 comments

by lbrow 02 Aug 2008

I might add I used Wss on top & bottom when Iused light cut away on botton & wss on top. I cut away before I use water to dissolve the wss.

by celticlady1031 02 Aug 2008

The directions I have say to cut after stitching is finished and that doesn't make sense to me. There are even pictures and it's from a digitizer.

by lbrow 02 Aug 2008

Yes Mickey U do all the stitching then cut out . that's why I use th wss I think it helps me to cut without cutting the stitching then dissolve & if there r any little whiskers of fabric take tiny snips & trim off

Have you done it with hands, it's similar i don't know how to explain...

3 comments

by celticlady1031 02 Aug 2008

I'm sorry but I'm not following your comment.

by salsabil 02 Aug 2008

I.m sorry, I think lbrow has explain it very well and as I say you have to do in the same way, if you do cutwork by hand

by celticlady1031 03 Aug 2008

Thanks for your input. I'm ready to gove it a try.