Table of Contents
- Unlocking Creative Machine Embroidery: Cutwork Essentials
- Precision Cutting: Techniques for Fabric Prep
- Appliqué Wizard: Designing with Layers and Holes
- Bringing Digital Designs to Life: The Embroidery Process
- Beyond the Basics: Advanced Embroidery Design Tips
- Quality Checks: What “Good” Looks Like
- Results & Handoff: Files, Density, and Stitch Outs
- Troubleshooting & Recovery
Video reference: “Embroidery Software Tutorial: Cutwork, Cutting, and Applique Wizard Features” by GUR The Sewing Superstore
Ready to turn precise digital designs into show-stopping fabric art? This hands-on guide distills the full workflow for cutwork, precision cutting, and appliqué with hole sewing—so you can go from blank canvas to polished stitch-out without guesswork.
What you’ll learn
- How to set up your hoop and workspace for reliable alignment
- When and how to use the Cutwork wizard and a net fill for airy, structural effects
- How to draw and convert shapes into cutting paths, with segmented “uncut” logic
- How to build an appliqué with a hole sewing cut-out and adjust satin density (3.0 line/mm)
- How to simulate and verify cutting orders and edge-cover coverage before you stitch
Unlocking Creative Machine Embroidery: Cutwork Essentials Cutwork brings a lace-like openness to embroidered shapes. You’ll outline a motif, apply cutwork attributes, and pair decorative fills with stabilized edges for designs that read as both stitched and sculpted.
Primer (What & When)
- Use cutwork when you want decorative openings in fabric, defined by stitched boundaries and fills.
- Net fills create airy, gridded interiors that visually lighten bold shapes.
- You can mix stitch types—such as a cross-hatch stem with net-filled leaves—for texture contrast.
Where it applies
- Motifs with solid outlines and recognizable shapes (e.g., a shamrock) work well.
- Designs that can tolerate internal fabric removal benefit most from cutwork aesthetics.
Constraints
- Your design must fit within your hoop; set hoop size before importing art to avoid resizing later.
Pro tip
- If you plan to stitch multiple variants (e.g., different sizes), duplicate the base file after hoop setup to preserve alignment. embroidery magnetic hoops
Setting Up Your Workspace: Hoop Size and Design Import 1) Set the hoop size to 300x200 mm (Design Settings). This defines your working boundary and prevents off-hoop elements later.
2) Import a motif (Import Patterns > from Design Library). A shamrock outline works well for this demo.
3) Resize proportionally (Shift + drag) to scale the motif while keeping its shape balanced.
Quick check
- The design fits cleanly inside the 300x200 mm hoop boundary.
- The correct motif appears in the workspace.
Watch out
- Resizing after you apply fills may distort densities. Scale before adding stitch attributes. magnetic hoops for embroidery machines
Prep checklist
- Hoop size: 300x200 mm set
- Design imported from library
- Proportional scaling verified
Mastering the Cutwork Wizard: Net Fills and Settings 1) Select the motif’s outline and open Cutwork Wizard (Attributes).
2) Choose a Net Fill for interior structure; set Spacing to 3.0 mm and Direction to 0° to keep the grid consistent.
Why these settings
- Net Fill: creates open, breathable structure in cutwork zones.
- 3.0 mm spacing: a balanced look—neither too dense nor too sparse.
- 0° direction: keeps the grid aligned for predictable tension and appearance.
Quick check
- Net Fill shows evenly across the motif interior with the intended spacing.
Customizing Cutwork: Adding Unique Stitch Patterns You can mix stitch types so each design element contributes differently to the overall look. For instance, apply a cross-hatch region pattern to the shamrock stem while keeping a net fill in the leaves.
Watch out
- Make sure only the intended region (e.g., the stem) is selected before you change its region pattern.
Setup checklist
- Cutwork Wizard applied
- Net Fill spacing confirmed at 3.0 mm
- Optional region variation set for the stem/certain segments
Precision Cutting: Techniques for Fabric Prep In addition to cutwork, the software can produce clean, controllable cuts in fabric. You’ll draw a shape, convert its outline to a cutting path, and choose how the cut is formed—either pure cutting or cutting optimized for edge coverage.
Drawing and Defining Cutting Lines in Software 1) Draw a circle (Rectangle/Circle/Arc tool). Fill is optional; the path matters. 2) In the Outline settings, change stitch type to Cutting to switch from stitching to cutting logic.
Quick check
- The circle’s outline now shows as a cutting path in the Attributes/Outline panel.
Pro tip
- Assign distinct colors or sequence IDs to cutting segments in simulation for visual clarity when reviewing the order. hoopmaster
Understanding “Cutting Only” for Clean Edges “Cutting only” forms segmented cuts around the shape. Segments leave intentional uncut points that help keep the piece in place until removal—useful for controlled handling in subsequent steps and easier weed-out.
What you’ll see in simulation
- Labeled or color-identified segments indicate the cutting order (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4), making it clear how the machine will proceed.
Watch out
- Choosing a continuous cut without segments may free the piece too early. Segments help prevent shifting. magnetic hooping station
Preparing Edges with “Cutting for Covering Fabric” This option preps the fabric edge for a later satin cover stitch. Instead of a simple perimeter cut, it structures the cut so a satin edge can neatly cover the raw edge—great for a finished, fray-resistant result.
Outcome expectations - In simulation, you’ll see how the cut sequence sets up the perimeter for subsequent satin coverage.
Operation checklist
- Outline set to Cutting
- Cutting only or Cutting for covering edge of fabric selected
- Simulation reviewed for segment order and edge prep
Appliqué Wizard: Designing with Layers and Holes Appliqué adds a second fabric layer to your base fabric. Here, you’ll create a filled circle, overlay a heart, turn the heart into a hole (negative space), and configure Appliqué Wizard settings—readying both the cut and the satin cover in one flow.
Building Your Appliqué Base: Shapes and Fills 1) Draw a circle and fill it solid (e.g., red) for a strong base color. 2) Import or select a heart from Shape Tools; place it over the circle where you want the cut-out.
Quick check
- The heart sits exactly where you want the hole in the circle.
The Art of Hole Sewing: Creating Intricate Cut-Outs 1) Select both the filled circle and the heart. 2) Go to Arrange > Hole sewing > Set hole sewing to define the heart as a cut-out (negative space) inside the circle.
Outcome expectations
- You’ll see a circle with a heart-shaped interior hole—this becomes the “window” in your appliqué.
Final Touches: Appliqué Material and Satin Stitch Density 1) Select the combined (hole-sewn) design. 2) Open Appliqué Wizard (Attributes). 3) Set Appliqué Material to Cutting and check Create an appliqué with hole sewing. 4) Set Satin Stitch Density to 3.0 line/mm for the cover stitching around the edges.
Why 3.0 line/mm
- Offers a clean, contiguous satin that’s neither thread-hungry nor sparse—ideal for crisp edges in this example.
Watch out
- If density is too low, base fabric may peek through; too high may cause puckering. Use software preview, then confirm with a test sew-out on scrap.
Setup checklist
- Hole sewing applied
- Appliqué Material: Cutting
- Create an appliqué with hole sewing checked
- Satin density set to 3.0 line/mm
Bringing Digital Designs to Life: The Embroidery Process Once your cutwork, cutting paths, or appliqué are configured, simulate the sequence to confirm cut order and placement. Then transfer the file and run a small test to validate outcomes (net fill look, cut integrity, and satin coverage).
Preparation and transfer
- Export your design in your machine’s supported format.
- Align materials and stabilizer according to your hoop size and design boundaries.
Pro tip
- Keep a test square of the same fabric and stabilizer to trial your satin density and cut behavior before the final piece. dime snap hoop
Quick check
- Net fill looks even in preview.
- Cutting segments hold the fabric until removal.
- Satin coverage fully overlaps the raw edge.
Beyond the Basics: Advanced Embroidery Design Tips
- Combine textures: Use a net fill for open areas and cross-hatch for smaller elements to create depth without bulk.
- Sequence mindfully: Keep cutting paths and edge covers separated in your color/step list so you can confirm order in simulation.
- Scale with intent: If you resize the motif, revisit fill spacing and satin density.
Pro tip
- Maintain a versioned file workflow (v1, v2, etc.). If you don’t like a density change, you can roll back without redoing the entire setup. mighty hoop
Quality Checks: What “Good” Looks Like Cutwork
- Even net fill with consistent spacing (3.0 mm in this example) and clean intersections.
- Open areas are well-defined by tidy outlines.
Cutting
- Segmented “cutting only” paths free the shape cleanly and predictably.
- “Cutting for covering edge” results in a cut that pairs naturally with a satin edge—no frayed fringes under the stitch.
Appliqué with hole sewing
- The hole shape is cleanly defined.
- Satin density at 3.0 line/mm produces a smooth edge with no bobbin show-through.
Quick check
- Run the software simulation from start to finish. Watch the cut/cover order and ensure transitions look intentional and stable. brother magnetic frame
Results & Handoff: Files, Density, and Stitch Outs Expected outputs
- A cutwork motif (e.g., shamrock) with airy net fill and a contrasting stem fill.
- Fabric circles cut via “cutting only” and “cutting for covering edge” with clear segment logic.
- An appliqué with a heart-shaped hole, finished with satin edges at 3.0 line/mm.
Save & export
- Save your working file with layers/settings intact.
- Export a machine-ready file for stitching.
Stitch-out handoff
- Stabilize and hoop carefully, aligning the design center with hoop markings.
- Use the machine’s trace function (if available) to confirm the design fits within the hoop boundary.
Pro tip
- After your first stitch-out, note any density or spacing tweaks directly in the file’s notes or filename (e.g., “_satin3.0”). magnetic hoops
Troubleshooting & Recovery Symptom: Net fill looks too sparse or too dense
- Likely cause: Spacing set too high/low for your scale.
- Fix: Reopen Cutwork Wizard, adjust spacing (the example uses 3.0 mm), and preview.
Symptom: The cut piece detaches too soon
- Likely cause: No segmented “uncut” sections in a “cutting only” setup.
- Fix: Choose “Cutting only” with segmented cuts; review the color/segment order.
Symptom: Fraying at the appliqué edge
- Likely cause: Used simple cut without edge-coverage logic.
- Fix: Use “Cutting for covering edge of fabric,” then apply a satin cover.
Symptom: Satin edge tunnels or puckers
- Likely cause: Density too high for the fabric and stabilizer combination.
- Fix: Reduce satin density incrementally and run a test swatch.
Symptom: Hole sewing didn’t create the opening
- Likely cause: Only one shape was selected before “Set hole sewing.”
- Fix: Select both shapes (base + inner shape) and reapply hole sewing.
Quick test protocol
- Re-simulate after any change.
- Stitch on a scrap with the same stabilizer/fabric combo to confirm fixes. magnetic hoop for brother
From the comments
- This tutorial is derived from an interface-driven walkthrough; community Q&A was not available at the time of writing. Keep notes of your density and spacing outcomes to build your own reference.
Checklists summary Prep
- Hoop size set (300x200 mm)
- Design imported and scaled proportionally
Setup
- Cutwork Wizard configured (Net Fill, 3.0 mm spacing, 0° direction)
- Optional contrasting region pattern applied where desired
Operation
- Cutting outline set and strategy chosen (cutting only vs. covering edge)
- Appliqué with hole sewing configured; satin density at 3.0 line/mm
- Simulation validated for order and coverage embroidery hoops magnetic