Table of Contents
Video reference: “Machine Embroidery Cut work” — channel publication
Cutwork is where machine embroidery meets lace—petals pop, windows glow, and metallic stitches catch the light. This guide distills the full process into clear steps so you can go from flat fabric to an elegant floral border with confident cuts, clean edges, and gleaming gold accents.
What you’ll learn
- The exact color order for layered floral embroidery with contrast outlines
- How and why to switch to a gold-wound bobbin for cutwork
- Safe, precise cutting inside stitched borders
- Edge-securing and lace-like finishes that prevent fray
Introduction to Machine Embroidery Cutwork Cutwork, in short, is embroidery that deliberately removes fabric inside reinforced stitch borders to create lace-like openings. In this project, dark and light pink threads build the roses and leaves, while gold thread adds drama—first from the bobbin during cutwork, then from the needle for final accents. The result: delicate open windows framed by crisp stitching.
From the community: The creator notes they learned by observing a family member and practicing—proof that repetition pays off when timing thread changes and cutting. They also confirm using a Singer 20u and Rayon thread for the shown workflow.
Where cutwork shines
- Decorative borders on garments or linens
- Statement panels on sheer or semi-sheer fabrics
- Floral motifs where contrast and shine elevate the design
Quick check
- Your digitized design file should include: outlines, fill areas, and cutwork sections with reinforced borders before any cutting happens.
Primer (What & When) What this process achieves
- Outlines define floral shapes in dark pink.
- Fills in light pink create smooth coverage.
- Reinforced borders mark areas to cut.
- Cutwork removes fabric inside those borders.
- Gold bobbin stitching secures edges and builds a lace-like pattern.
- Final gold top-thread accents sharpen veins and edges.
Prerequisites
- Basic embroidery machine operation: threading, hooping, color changes
- A digitized cutwork design file with designated cut zones
- Fabric hooped securely on the machine
Decision points
- If you want strong contrast, keep the outline a darker shade than your fills; if you want subtlety, select close values of pink.
- If metallics are new to you, slow down on the final gold pass to protect the thread.
Setting Up Your Embroidery Machine and First Stitches Hooping your fabric correctly Secure your fabric in the embroidery hoop on the machine—smooth, evenly tensioned, without puckers. The floral design relies on accurate placement so outlines, fills, and later cutwork windows align from start to finish. A stable hoop prevents distortion during color changes and cutting.
Starting with outlines (dark pink thread) Load the darkest pink thread and begin the outline pass. This establishes every petal and leaf boundary the fills will respect later. Expect smooth, continuous lines that track the design faithfully.
Quick check
- After the first pass, all main shapes should be visible in dark pink.
- No skipped stitches; corners and curves are clean.
Watch out
- Skipped stitches or loose loops early on often trace back to threading or tension. Re-thread and check tension before moving on.
From the comments
- Machine choice: The creator states they used a Singer 20u. This tutorial remains machine-agnostic, but your interface/buttons may differ slightly.
Checklist — Setup and Outlines
- Fabric hooped smoothly on the machine
- Dark pink loaded on top
- Continuous, clean outlines stitched
Adding Color and Depth to Your Design Filling techniques (light pink thread) Switch to light pink and run the fill areas that color the petals and smaller floral sections. The fill should appear even and complete—no gaps, no thin stripes.
Pro tip
- If coverage looks sparse, review the digitized file’s fill settings before you blame tension; density comes from the design file.
Detailing with contrast (dark pink thread) Swap back to dark pink to add definition—think petal edges, furrows, or small outlines—then return to light pink to complete any remaining fills. This back-and-forth creates dimension and makes the flowers read clearly at a glance.
Quick check
- Contrast lines are crisp and aligned; no accidental overlaps.
- All designated light pink areas are fully filled.
From the comments
- Thread type: The creator says they used Rayon thread. Its sheen pairs well with metallic accents you’ll add later.
Checklist — Color & Depth
- Light pink fill complete and even
- Dark pink details aligned and visible
- No tension issues before moving on
Mastering the Cutwork Technique The importance of bobbin thread (gold) Replace your bobbin with a gold-wound bobbin. Leave dark pink on top at first. Stitch the reinforced outlines for cutwork windows using this pairing—dark pink top thread and gold bobbin. Those outlines act as a safe boundary for cutting and set up the showy gold that will appear on top in the next phase.
Quick check
- Borders are visibly thicker/denser around the zones you will cut.
- Bobbin is seated correctly and catching consistently.
Precision cutting: a step-by-step guide
- Pause the machine and, with the hoop accessible, cut the fabric only inside the reinforced outlines.
- Use very sharp, pointed scissors and take small snips; approach tight curves slowly.
- Keep the scissor points angled slightly up to avoid nicking the stitched border.
Watch out
- Do not cut into the stitching. If you do, re-run the border before continuing.
Securing edges and creating lace effects Re-seat the hooped fabric on the machine and stitch over the cut edges. With the gold in the bobbin, the machine now secures the raw edges and forms decorative, lace-like patterns within the open windows. You’re aiming for a neat, gleaming edge and consistent decorative fills.
Outcome expectations
- Cut edges are fully covered—no fuzz peeking through.
- The gold thread shows clearly on the top in the cut-out areas.
- The decorative pattern reads as delicate and consistent across sections.
Pro tip
- If the gold looks dull or doesn’t show on top, verify bobbin tension and ensure sufficient stitch density along edges.
Checklist — Cutwork
- Gold bobbin loaded and catching
- All interior fabric removed cleanly
- Edges secured; lace fills complete
Finishing Touches with Gold Accents When to introduce metallic threads After all cutwork windows are secured, switch the top thread to gold. This pass adds glow along edges and delicate veins in leaves—small touches that dramatically elevate contrast and richness.
Adding highlights and outlines Run the final gold pass to sharpen petals and leaves. Keep an eye on consistent line weight and spacing so accents unify the composition rather than compete with it.
Watch out
- Metallic thread can be fragile. Reducing speed helps prevent breaks and messy knots.
Quick check
- Gold accents are crisp, evenly spaced, and free of fuzz or loops.
Checklist — Final Accents
- Top thread switched to gold
- All accents aligned with prior stitching
- No visible loose ends; trim as needed
Showcasing Your Completed Cutwork Masterpiece Presenting your design Once stitching finishes, remove the fabric from the hoop and inspect for stray threads. The finished piece should display layered pink florals, translucent cut windows, and shine-rich gold accents. The border effect is especially striking along edges, hems, or decorative panels.
Care and handling
- Trim any loose ends carefully.
- Keep the piece flat until application to avoid creasing delicate cutwork edges.
Ideas for future projects
- Repeat the border to form an all-over panel or create mirrored motifs for sleeves or scarves.
Troubleshooting & Recovery Symptom: Skipped stitches in outlines
- Likely cause: Threading or tension.
- Fix: Re-thread top, check tension, and examine the needle for damage.
Symptom: Incomplete fill coverage
- Likely cause: Density settings in the design file.
- Fix: Review fill parameters in your digitized file; slow machine speed if fabric is shifting.
Symptom: Gold bobbin thread not showing
- Likely cause: Bobbin tension or seating.
- Fix: Reseat the bobbin; verify tension. Add stitch density on the edge if the coverage looks sparse.
Symptom: Fraying edges after cutting
- Likely cause: Insufficient coverage over raw edges.
- Fix: Re-run the securing stitch around the cut windows with adequate density.
Symptom: Metallic thread breakage on final accents
- Likely cause: Speed or needle mismatch for metallic.
- Fix: Slow down; use a fresh, appropriate needle for metallic thread.
From the comments (mini-FAQ)
- Which machine was used? The creator cites a Singer 20u.
- Which thread type? Rayon thread.
- How does the cutwork happen? First stitch reinforced borders, then cut inside them with sharp scissors, and stitch again to secure edges and build the lace-like patterns.
Keywords notes (for readers browsing gear) This project uses a standard hoop-on-machine workflow with color changes, a gold bobbin swap, and precise manual cutting. If you research gear ecosystems, you’ll see terms like machine embroidery hoops and magnetic hoops for embroidery discussed broadly in the community—your core technique stays the same: outline, fill, reinforce, cut, secure, and accent.
Buyer’s awareness Your machine’s hoop and frame options won’t change the sequence above. Whether you’re browsing magnetic embroidery hoop accessories or classic clamps, focus first on clean outlines and safe cutting. The cutwork method here remains identical across setups.
Context for multi-brand readers If you later explore brand-specific ecosystems, you may come across phrases such as magnetic embroidery hoops or frame options like magnetic embroidery hoops for brother in retailer catalogs. Treat these as convenience choices rather than technique changes; the process remains the same: reinforce, cut, secure, finish.
Planning ahead When you scale up designs with repeated borders or mirrored panels, stable hooping matters most. Practice your placement with test fabric first. Some readers also explore layout aids or specialty frames; even then, the heart of cutwork does not change—neat borders and careful cutting. You might see references like embroidery machine hoops or advanced aids described as hooping stations; use them if they help your placement workflow, but stick to the sequence and checks above for consistent results.
Final pass—what “good” looks like
- Outlines: continuous, dark pink, no gaps
- Fills: even, smooth light pink with no thin streaks
- Borders: reinforced before any cutting
- Windows: cleanly cut inside borders, no nicks
- Securing: edges fully covered; gold shows clearly
- Accents: crisp gold lines that unify the design
Figure guide - Materials staged (dark/light pink + gold)
- First outlines (dark pink)
- Outline progress
- Light pink thread change
- Light pink fills
- Back to dark pink for details
- Detailing in progress
- Gold bobbin loaded
- Reinforced cutwork borders
- Precision cutting
- Securing edges with gold bobbin
- Lace-like fill building
- Gold top-thread change
- Final gold accents
What you need (recap)
- Embroidery machine (creator used a Singer 20u)
- Fabric, hooped on the machine
- Threads: dark pink, light pink, and gold
- Gold thread in the bobbin for cutwork passes
- Small, sharp, pointed scissors for cutting
- A digitized cutwork embroidery design file
Wrap-up Follow the sequence—outline, fill, reinforce, cut, secure, accent—and you’ll achieve the same refined, lace-like finish. The gold bobbin work is your secret weapon for luminous windows; the final gold top-thread pass makes the florals sparkle.
Gear glossary (light reference) When researching accessories, these phrases often appear in catalogs and forums: magnetic hoops and embroidery magnetic hoops. They refer to alternative ways of holding fabric. They’re optional—your results depend far more on good borders, careful cutting, and patient finishing than on the frame style.