Category Archives: Cutwork needles

Leather Journal Made Using The Sewing Machine

I love working in leather nowadays and am getting some really fab results using Husqvarna cut work needles in a free form Kathy way. I made this leather journal for my niece Sarah who just had her birthday. Prior to this I had made her mum a book and Sarah had asked for one for her school notes ad appointments. It only took me another year ha ha to squeeze her into my hectic schedule but we got there in the end and I was so pleased with the end result . I now have a yearning to make myself one in black green and cream as I have been hanging on to the most amazing piece of lime green leather for several years now and not knowing when or if I would use it. Now I know exactly what to do with it. I just need the time which isn’t happening at the moment with Alexandra Palace starring me in the face. Oh well watch this space you never know.



Cut work day at patchwork corner

Had a great day with the ladies at Patchwork Corner. We used the inspira cut work needles in our sewing machines to make negative and positive squares to assemble as small simple bags r to make wall hangings. These little needles are just like having a tiny knife in the machine and replace the normal sewing machine needles to cut through the fabric and remove the shape from within it, making both the negative and positive shapes fully usable.
They are quite expensive and were designed for the embroidery machines with stitch out designs . I use only one of the four needles in a completely free manner to cut out my own hand drawn designs so you do need to work out wether they art going to be cost effective at £48 per set.
The company really needs to look at selling them two ways. Four needles for the embroidery design machines and a single needle for the normal domestic machine. As I have started to teach the technique it would be so good to be able to offer one needle for sale.

Festival of Quilts

I spent a great day demonstrating on the Husqvarna sewing machine stand where I showed people how they could use this smart little needle that is really a sharp little knife to cut out fabric. It is so much fun and will cut through felt, paper, leather, angelina, silk papers, Lutradu, tissue tex and so much more. It’s fantastic for reverse appliqué and negative and positive work and can be simply pieced or extra stitching in the form of machine embroidery can be worked on to it to give texture and interest.
All you need to remember is that each part of the design has to have two rows of stitching (tram lines) then the cut work needle is used to cut out between the stitching and between the tram lines. Also remember to reset the stitch length closer together on 0.5 instead of the general 2.5.

Once cut round the piece can be removed neatly and both pieces are usable to appliqué or layer up to give relief to the design.

The only problem is that the needles were marketed for the embroidery machines that use software designs to stitch out and the four needles all cut a different angle with the machine stopping for you to change them as the design is worked round curves . I am using only one of the needles, the blue one that cuts straight which allows me to use it in a similar way to a ordinary sewing machine needle. Therefore it’s quite expensive @ £30 for a set of four that you only use one of. The plus side is that I have been using the same needle for over a year now and it has cut all types of fabric while still remaining sharp. Therefore over that time it hasn’t really cost me that much and I have had a Hugh amount of fun with it creating my own designs and not having to use someone else’s software designs.
If you are looking for something new to get your teeth in to this little needle knife could be it. Give it a go and have fun.

Cutwork and Pieced Leather Journal

Oh I have been having fun the last couple of days with my cut work needles.

I have made the journal pictured below from all the bits left over from the bags I made and I am so pleaded with the smooth way it went together and the finished result.

It must be good because my sister has made a point of ordering herself one for Christmas which I always know means I’m on the right track re item and design concept. I also have a queue of other friends who would love to have a bag so I’m defiantly on the right track.

I have got another journal cut and ready to go but have had to put it on hold because last night I went to the theatre with my husband. The trouble is when I get going on something new I can quite easily forget to be sociable and have to remember I am married to a marvellous man who sometimes likes to go out with his wife and do sociable activities like eating out and going to the theatre or pictures occasionally.

Today being Sunday should afford me time to work on the new journal especially if the weather holds and he goes out in the garden to cut grass. I can then go down the studio and sort of be with him.

Cut Work Needle Creations

Back from a fantastic weeks camping. No computers, phones or work related problems. It was bliss.
Now back to reality and the realisation that I only have two weeks left to get all my samples for the Festival of quilts done.

I have been really strict with my time and haven’t left the sewing machine for the last few days. My sewing machine has been on fire(not literally but I have been giving it torture)
I think I need another holiday I’ve worked so hard ha ha.

Cut Work Bag No 2

After making the black and silver evening bag and learning so much along the way, here is version 2 vastly improved and structured.

I have changed little with the design as I like its simplicity with the dramatic strong colours of the leather working so well to enhance the design.

Yesterday I tracked down the leather cord to make the long bag handles And the swivel lobster claw attachments which made a world of difference when constructing the bag. Just for a bit of something different I made extra leather leaves and made side dangles and front flap dangles . I am so pleased with this one that I have been Internet shopping and ordered several more colours of leather to include metallic gold and silver. Now I can’t wait to get going on another version

Leather Cut Work Bag for Festival of Quilts

I have been working like fury with my cut work needles to produce some interesting samples for my demonstration slot at the festival of quilts on the Husqvarna sewing machine stand. While trying to work out which fabrics were suitable to use with these tiny little knife needles I tried working in leather and was thrilled to see that it worked beautifully. I made this stunning evening purse on a long leather cord strap in black leather and silver vinyl leather. Now I have worked it out there are several more bags under way in different colour schemes, using up the leather samples I have had in my collection for more years than I can remember.

I am really pleased with the finished result and now also want to try it in dyed felt.