A Cutwork Butterfly design adds a charming beauty to batik napkins. The cutwork technique creates a see through effect in the embroidery design. Originating in Italy, cutwork embroidery was traditionally embroidered on linens and cottons using white on white. Today, there are more modern versions in fabrics and threads. A tightly woven fabric such as batik, linen, or medium weight fabric works best for cutwork designs. Fabrics that are not tightly woven will fray easier and distort the cutwork design. The cutwork technique needs a meticulous and delicate approach for best results.
Step 1:
Gather the materials needed for the project. Prewash and dry the fabric. Iron and lightly starch the fabric. Print out a design template. A copy of the design template can be found with the project directions. Read the directions before beginning the project.
NOTE: Embrilliance Essentials embroidery software program was utilized to make the design template. The design template is the exact size of the design that will be embroidered and makes a great placement tool.
Step 2:
Cut four squares 17"x17" from the prewashed, batik fabric. Fold the edges down 1/4" toward the wrong side of the fabric. Press with an iron. Fold the edges again 1/4" tucking the raw edge to the inside. Press with an iron. Sew a 1/8" seam along the edges. Press with an iron when finished stitching the seams. Repeat these steps for each napkin.
Step 3:
The design was placed on the bottom lower right corner at an angle. The picture will help with design placement.
Begin in the lower right corner on the napkin. Measure 3.5" horizontally and vertically. Mark the fabric as indicated on the picture with a fabric marker.
Draw a diagonal line from the lower corner of the napkin to where the two lines meet. It should measure 5" from corner to corner.
Step 4:
Match the center point of the design template to the corner where the lines meet. Pin the design template in place on the napkin.
Step 5:
Hooping is very important with cutwork embroidery. Use the smallest hoop that you can to fit the design. Large hoops sometimes don't hold the fabric well enough. The stabilizer should fit very tightly in the hoop. Use painter's tape, magnetic clips, or even add a ring of cutaway stabilizer around the hoop rim to secure the stabilizer. Be sure the stabilizer is not overstretched nor puckering/bubbling.
Hoop one piece of water soluble stabilizer (not the water soluble film for topping). Use a light mist of 505 Temporary Adhesive spray to secure the napkin to the stabilizer. Add pins for added security.
Step 6:
Load the design onto the machine. A 70/10 size embroidery needle was used for this design. Upper thread and bobbin thread colors should match.
Stitch color stop one in the design. Remove the hoop from the machine but DO NOT UNHOOP.
Step 7:
Using sharp applique scissors, cut out only the areas designed to be holes. The stabilizer should not be cut. The water soluble stabilizer is needed for the stitching in the cut out areas in the next step.
Use tiny scissors/snippers with curved edges or the tip of a seam ripper to catch the first layer of fabric only. The seam ripper worked best for me. I got a tiny bit of fabric under the tip of the seam ripper, and then continued with the applique snippers. Cutting should be done to the very edge of embroidered area without damaging the stitches. Remove all frays from the fabric edges if possible.
Step 8:
The water soluble stabilizer can be patched if needed. Cut out a scrap piece of water soluble stabilizer that generously covers the area that has missing stabilizer. Spray temporary adhesive onto the back of the patch. Gently press the patch over the hole. The patch surface should be smooth and wrinkle free.
Step 9:
Finish embroidering the design. Remove the hoop from the design. Trim long threads from the back if needed. Carefully cutaway the water soluble stabilizer from around the design.
Run hot water over the design to remove the water soluble stabilizer. Iron the napkin when the fabric dries.
Step 10:
(Click Image to Enlarge)
The directions include enough fabric to make a set of 4 napkins. Repeat these steps to complete your set.
Congrats! You have mastered the cutwork machine embroidery technique! WTG! Well done!
Step 11:
A charming cutwork design adds a colorful touch to a table display.
Beautiful things come together, one stitch at a time....
Marisa Littleton is a retired educator with a love for teaching and learning. Interests include machine embroidery, hand embroidery, quilting, cooking, and antiques.
