Download PDF

Butterfly Cutwork Lace

The Butterfly Cutwork Lace design is available in 3 sizes: for large 5" x 7" (130 x 180 mm), and for mega 6" x 8" (150 x 200 mm) and commercial, 8" x 8" (200 x 200 mm) hoops.

Large Hoop:
Size: 129 x 153 mm
Stitches: 31 324
Colors: 1
Stops: 2

Mega Hoop:
Size: 149 x 177 mm
Stitches: 36 526
Colors: 1
Stops: 2

Commercial Hoop:
Size: 168 x 199 mm
Stitches: 40 893
Colors: 1
Stops: 2

You will need fabric, water soluble mesh and embroidery threads.

We recommend to use water-soluble mesh, such as Vilene. Vilene D0102 is a non woven dissolvable stabilizer which is imported into the US, is sold in large rolls and is sometimes repackaged under different brand names.
Some of these brand names are Fabri-Solvy by Sulky, Avalon Plus by Madeira, Wash-Away, and Aqua Magic.

40-weight embroidery polyester threads are preferred for the project.
Cotton thread is not suitable because the embroidery will be too bulky.
Rayon thread is softer and more sensitive to the chemicals in the water-soluble mesh. We do not like to use rayon thread for cutwork lace projects.

Please note: ALWAYS make a test stitch-out on scrap before you make a stitch-out on the real item.
The design can be embroidered as insert or free-standing ornament.

Cutwork Insert

Step One: Hoop the fabric with a layer of water soluble mesh. Embroider the first color (it's an outline of the butterfly).

Step Two: Take the hoop from the machine. With a pair of sharp scissors cut away the fabric inside the outline in the places shown on the picture below.