Tips for Working with Cutwork

Yesterday I received a request from one of my Facebook followers asking how I worked with cutwork.  I just happen to be updating my E-Book, Linen Wholecloth Quilts, and was adding more pictures to that chapter.  Perfect timing to send those instructions your way!

Cutwork linens have "open" areas that were created by the original maker.  She embroidered pre-stamped designs, carefully cut away the fabric around her stitching, and then added bridgework to hold the areas together.  This photo is showing the backside of a piece of cutwork linen.

Because of the open areas you need to have an additional layer of fabric that goes "underneath" the linen.  This keeps the batting from poofing thru the open holes.  I call this an underlayment.

This photo shows how I laid the cutwork linen down over the top of the underlayment.  I stitched around all of the embroidery on both sides to nail it down.  The shot above is "before". 

This shot is after the ditchwork has been done showing how it is nailed down.  

Can you see the poofy areas of fabric underneath the bridgework?  This is personal preference only...I don't particularly care for the poofy areas and chose to go in and scribble in the holes.  Yep....every hole!  I am careful about selecting an underlayment that complements and blends with the bridgework.  This allows me to travel from hole to hole along the embroidered edge and keep it continuous line.   This is a "before" shot...

These shots are "after" the scribbling is done.  See how I also went in and added some pretty details inside the area surrounding the cutwork???

Thank you Debbie J. for such a good question... Hope this helps!

Hugs, Cindy

PS:  These samples will be at the Houston exhibit  for teaching purposes. :)