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.

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.

I have been beavering away playing with my cut work needles and have several things on the go now.

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

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.