---
title: "Cutwork"
description: "Cutwork is embroidery in which parts of a linen ground are cut away and the openings are edged or filled with stitches."
type: Glossary
url: https://teazle.art/glossary/cutwork
published: 2026-10-14
updated: 2026-10-14
author: "The Teazle editors"
---

# Cutwork

*Cutwork is embroidery in which parts of a linen ground are cut away and the openings are edged or filled with stitches.*

Cutwork is white embroidery with holes in it. Areas of the linen are cut out, and the cut edges are bound with buttonhole stitch so they do not fray; the openings may be left empty or bridged and filled with decorative stitches.

## How does it relate to lace?

Cutwork is the starting point of [needle lace](https://teazle.art/glossary/needle-lace.md). As embroiderers cut away more of the ground, the stitches did more of the work, through [reticella](https://teazle.art/glossary/reticella.md) to lace with no fabric at all. The first section of Federico de Vinciolo’s 1587 pattern book is devoted to cutwork designs; the second to [lacis](https://teazle.art/glossary/lacis.md).


## Sources

1. [Cutwork](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cutwork). Wikipedia
2. [Lacemaking pattern book](https://collation.folger.edu/2020/04/lacemaking-pattern-book/). Folger Shakespeare Library, The Collation
3. [Reticella](https://trc-leiden.nl/trc-needles/techniques/lace-making/reticella). Textile Research Centre, Leiden

Canonical: https://teazle.art/glossary/cutwork