Cutwork Embroidery Techniques

Introducing Cutwork Embroidery


Cutwork embroidery is an antique and amazing handwork which can be used to create thousands of different beautifully crafted products. It first became popular in 16th century. This art can also be practiced as a hobby. You can create different patterns for cutwork or there are lot of books on cutwork patterns from which you can take the designs from. Internet also gives you a lot of designs for cutwork. 

This is a technique where portions of the fabric is cutout and the cutout edges finished with embroidery stitches to create beautiful patterns. Embroidered bars are used to bridge the larger areas. 

Ganesha motif done using cutwork embroidery

Tools Used for Cutwork Embroidery

Fabrics

The base fabric used for cutwork can be any fabric which is not too thin. Cavas, linen or cotton can be used.

Embroidery Threads 

Self color embroidery thread or in other words thread in the same color as that of the fabric is used to finish the edges of the cut portion of the base fabric. Other color threads can be used for other areas of the design and to create different decorative effects. 

Embroidery Needles

The embroidery needles which is used for the other hand embroidery can be used for the cutwork embroidery too. 

Cutwork Thread Snip

This is used to trim the excess threads. 

A Small Scissor

A Small scissor to cut the portions of the fabric to create the design.

Tracing Paper

You need a tracing paper to transfer the design on to the fabric. 

Stitches used for the Cutwork Embroidery

Button hole and satin stitch are commonly used for the cutwork hand embroidery. Running stitch and double button hole are also sometimes used. 

Button hole stitch can be worked more closer as compared to what you see in the image so that the background fabric is not seen. 


Step by step Instructions on how to make Cutwork Hand Embroidery

1) Use the tracing paper to trace the cutwork pattern on to the fabric. Mark the design using parallel lines for button hole stitch. 

2) Place canvas across each area to be cut. 

3) Using the same color thread do the outline with running stitch then with button hole stitch. 

4) You can use double button hole stitch if both the sides are to be cut. 

5) Complete any other extra embroidery you would like to do.

6) Using small sharp scissors cut away the unwanted fabric portions.

Cutwork Machine Embroidery

Cutwork embroidery is also done using embroidery machines which is fast and the result is neater. It is also easy compared to hand cutwork embroidery.