The stitching is finished and the cut work

has been completed. As you remember from my last post, I had shown you how to work eyelets easier. Now I will show you how to work"cut work" after you have embroidered the design in closed buttonhole stitch. If you are unfamiliar with the closed buttonhole, you can research it easily on the Internet.

After all stitching is in place, use a very sharp pair of embroidery scissors and make a small hole in the area to be cut with the point of scissors.

Carefully and slowly cut small cuts at a time,  the blank area that you wish to cut away, staying on the edge of embroidery stitches and taking care not to cut any stitching.  Cut underneath the embroidered bar across cut work area.

Carefully cut out the entire cut work area. Don't worry. If you accidentally cut your stitching. Stop cutting and go over the damaged area with the same color of floss worked and simply work the closed buttonhole stitch over it until it has been repaired.

Now one section has been cut away,

Continue cutting the remainder sections away, always looking out for your stitch work.

A completed cut work rose.

Now for those of you who told me you were afraid to cut on your work..........

I used to be the same way. Before you start a project, just make a sample piece on a scrap piece of fabric and embroider it and work the cut work. Once you get the hang of it, I promise you will be fearless in this technique!!!

Trust me!

Here they all are in the group, with the center of the leaves cut away as well.

Now here is the completed piece.

Doesn't cut work make a difference compared to basic embroidery?

This is what I love to do in embroidery work. I love to create linens, brand new for the home, with the vintage look of "yesteryear" but can be used every day................

today!

So come on blogging friends...........

grab you scissors and just take the big step snip!