Table of Contents
Video reference: “Cut work Butterfly Embroidery machine” by M embroidery515
Cutwork butterflies deliver that airy, lace-like magic—solid satin edges framing sheer, glinting wing panels—without the guesswork. This guide turns the visual process into a clean, repeatable method you can follow, from first stitch to final sparkle.
What you’ll learn
- How to build a sturdy satin border before cutting fabric so your windows stay crisp
- A safe sequence for cutting the inner wing areas (and what a clean cut looks like)
- How to embroider the delicate gold net over the open panels without distortion
- When to switch threads for outer edges, body, antennae, and final dots
- Practical community tips on machine choice, pedal control, and handling thread breaks
Mastering Cutwork Butterfly Embroidery by Machine
Primer (What & When) Cutwork is a technique where portions of fabric are removed, then bridged with embroidery—here, a net stitched in gold—so the finished piece has translucent windows framed by satin stitches. It shines on motifs with defined compartments, like butterfly wings, and delivers a high-contrast, dimensional effect.
In this project, you’ll:
- Outline the butterfly in purple to map the design boundaries.
- Fill selected inner wing areas with dense purple satin stitches.
- Add a second satin layer for a crisp border.
- Cut away fabric inside the bordered compartments.
- Stitch a gold net over the openings, with a black bobbin for contrast.
- Finish outer wing edges in purple, then embroider body and antennae.
- Add small gold dots for a final sparkle.
Community note on machines Viewers asked whether any embroidery machine can create these stitches automatically. The creator reports working with industrial zigzag machines and free-motion techniques, and specifically mentions using a SINGER 20u in replies. If you’re on a different model, focus on the sequence and test how your machine handles dense satin and metallic threads. hooping station for embroidery
Prep Materials and tools
- Fabric, hooped securely
- Embroidery machine capable of satin and free-motion/controlled stitching
- Threads: purple (fills, borders, edges), gold metallic (net and dots), and black in the bobbin for the net section
- Small, sharp scissors for precise cutting
- Digitized butterfly embroidery file designed with cutwork compartments
Workspace and file
- Clear space around the machine so you can remove and re-seat the hoop for cutting.
- Load your butterfly file; verify the sequence aligns with the steps below.
Quick check
- Does your file include: outline → inner fills → border → pause for cutting → net → outer edges → body/antennae → dots? If yes, you’re set.
Prep checklist
- Fabric hooped and file loaded
- Purple top thread installed; black bobbin ready for the net stage
- Gold metallic thread within reach for the net and dots
- Small scissors on hand for cutwork
Setup Threading and order of operations
- Start with purple thread for outlining and inner fills; this builds the structure you’ll cut against.
- Plan to switch to gold metallic for netting after cutting, with a black bobbin to make the grid pop through the openings.
- Return to purple for outer wing edges, body, and antennae; finish with gold dots.
Rationale for the border-before-cutting approach Those early, dense satin borders are your guardrails. They keep cuts clean and prevent the open windows from fraying into the design. Cutting first would risk distortion and ragged edges.
Decision point: machine handling
- If your machine handles metallic thread well: proceed as shown; watch tension during the net stage.
- If metallics are finicky: re-thread calmly and test a small segment before committing to the full grid.
Setup checklist
- Sequence reviewed; thread changes queued
- Tension and feed confirmed with a quick test scrap (optional)
- Scissors accessible; hoop removal/re-seat path clear
Step-by-Step Guide to Embroidering Your Butterfly
1) Laying the Foundation: Outlining and Initial Fills a. Outline the butterfly (purple) Run the initial outline in purple to define the wings and body. Expect a continuous, clean contour—this map drives alignment for every subsequent pass.
Quick check: The outline should be smooth with no gaps. If you see skipped stitches or breaks, re-thread and check tension before continuing. magnetic hoop embroidery
b. Fill inner wing sections with satin stitches (purple) Stitch dense satin fills in the designated wing compartments. They establish color and thickness and give you a stable base to border against.
Expected result: Consistent coverage with no pinholes or loose loops.
Pro tip (from the comments): The creator runs at factory default speed with a gentle foot on the pedal—useful if your machine surges when you press too hard.
2) The Precision Cut: Creating Openwork Sections a. Add the defining satin border (purple) A second satin pass around the filled compartments creates a crisp, raised edge that shields the cut boundary.
Expected result: Neatly aligned borders closely hugging the fills, with consistent density.
b. Remove the fabric inside the bordered compartments Stop the machine, remove the hoop if needed, and use small, sharp scissors to snip and lift out the fabric inside those bordered sections. Work slowly; keep the scissor tips angled away from the stitches.
Expected result: Clean windows that do not nick the satin borders; no fuzzy fibers intruding into the stitching.
Watch out: Cutting beyond the border will damage the surrounding stitches. If it happens, small nicks may be patched; severe damage warrants restarting.
Operation checklist (so far)
- Outline and fills are smooth and fully covered
- Borders are crisp and closely aligned
- Cut windows are clean, with borders intact
3) Crafting the Delicate Netting Switch the top thread to gold metallic and verify a black bobbin. Resume stitching to lay a fine grid across the open windows. Gold on top with black below lends a dimensional, lace-like effect.
Quick check: Intersections are anchored; spacing looks even across the window. Gaps or loose segments may indicate tension issues.
Pro tip: Metallic thread can be sensitive. If you see breakage, re-thread and make a small test pass to confirm tension before continuing the full area.
Adding Intricate Details and Finishing Touches
Defining Wing Edges with Satin Stitches Switch back to purple and stitch the outer perimeter of each wing. This frames the design and visually ties the internal compartments to the overall silhouette.
Expected result: Bold, continuous edges with no gaps; the outer shape should look fully “sealed.”
Bringing the Butterfly to Life: Body and Antennae Continue in purple to embroider the body and delicate antennae. The body typically receives a satin fill, while antennae stitch as fine lines.
Quick check: Antennae appear symmetrical; the body fill is uniform with no thin patches.
Sparkling Accents: Decorative Dots Thread back to gold and add small, circular dots on the wings. They lend balance and light to the composition and echo the net’s metallic sheen.
Expected result: Evenly spaced dots of similar size; placement complements the overall wing layout. hoopmaster
Tips for Successful Cutwork Embroidery
Machine choice and handling (from the comments)
- The creator uses industrial zigzag machines and free-motion. A SINGER 20u is specifically mentioned in replies.
- If your model differs, the technique still follows the same order: establish borders, cut, net, then finish edges and details.
Speed control
- No special speed settings were used; factory defaults with a light foot on the pedal helped maintain control during delicate sections.
Thread selection insights (from the comments)
- The creator uses rayon thread and mentioned SAKURA, VENUS, and NUMBER ONE among the brands they’ve used.
Metallic thread handling
- Re-thread if you see loops or breaks and verify tension before continuing long runs.
Watch out: If your machine struggles with metallics, a patient pace and frequent checks keep issues from compounding. embroidery magnetic hoops
Troubleshooting Common Cutwork Challenges
Dealing with Fabric Frays at the Cut Edge Symptom: Fuzzy edges intrude into the window or snag stitches during the net pass. Likely cause: Cuts too close to or into the satin border. Fix: Re-cut only loose fibers without touching the stitching. If a border was nicked, reinforce with a careful re-stitch; restart the design if damage is severe.
Fixing Broken Threads (especially metallic) Symptom: Frequent breaks or uneven grid formation. Likely causes: Thread path friction or tension mismatches. Fixes:
- Re-thread and resume after a short test pass.
- From the comments: the creator applies kerosene when thread becomes stiff or breaks, and notes they use rayon thread. Consider testing practices on scrap first and proceed only with methods you’re comfortable with.
Achieving Clean Cuts Symptom: Jagged cut lines or accidental snips into satin. Fixes:
- Use small, sharp scissors and angle tips away from stitch lines.
- Cut in short, controlled bites rather than long sweeps.
Quick isolation tests
- Stitch a tiny net segment on scrap with gold/black to validate tension.
- Practice cutting a small bordered window on a test piece before trimming the real design. mighty hoop 5.5
Results & Handoff Your butterfly should showcase:
- Defined purple borders around translucent wing windows
- A stable, even gold net pattern bridged with a contrasting black bobbin
- Smooth outer wing edges, a filled body, fine antennae, and dots that sparkle
Display options are wide open—from framing to apparel accents—so long as the placement lets the light play through those netted panels.
From the comments (mini-FAQ) Q: Can a Singer 974n do this technique? A: The creator wasn’t sure about that specific model and shared that they use an industrial zigzag setup (SINGER 20u) and free-motion/straight stitch with frame movement.
Q: What speed do you use? A: Factory default; the creator keeps pedal pressure light for control.
Q: Which thread? A: The creator reports using rayon thread, mentioning SAKURA, VENUS, and NUMBER ONE.
Q: How do you prevent constant breaks? A: Re-thread, check tension, and test small segments. The creator also noted applying kerosene when thread becomes stiff or breaks; try methods on scrap first and adopt only what fits your workflow.
Showcasing Your Beautiful Butterfly Creations Set a few finished butterflies side-by-side to appreciate how different colorways—purple, pink, teal—change the mood while the cutwork structure stays consistent. Variations in thread choice and density still stand out as long as the sequence remains faithful: borders before cutting, then net, then edges and details. magnetic hoops for brother
Operation wrap-up checklist
- Borders built before cutting; windows are clean
- Gold net secure with black bobbin contrast
- Outer edges smooth; body and antennae complete
- Final gold dots consistent and well placed
Pro tip: If you frequently remove and reseat hoops for mid-design tasks like cutting, using secure, quick-alignment hooping tools can save time and protect stitch registration. mighty hoops