Pulled Thread Cut

Here is how to cut straight and square on linen and plainweave. This won't work for Aida since the threads of that fabric are secured differently. However, Aida is simple to trim because the lines are huge and easy to see. But on plainweave it's much harder to see to cut straight. We've all done it; you open a new package of fabric or the store help wasn't careful and the fabric you get is uneven and wonky. I hate having an inch and a half of wasted fabric because it wasn't cut to square. Yuck! Use this method to even up those crappy out-of-square edges. Here, I am making cut lines to finish a Christmas ornament.

First, measure out from the edge of your stitched design and mark it with a pencil. This is going to be a small ornament so I only measured out one inch. You can also count the threads if you want to be exacting. I often count threads when I'm doing a seam-sewed edge. For example: I'll count out ten threads and pull the eleventh.

Just to be clear, this first thread pull is going to be vertical (going up and down.)

Take a needle and pull up that marked thread enough to slip the sharp tip of a scissors through it and cut the thread.

Now, use the needle to work that cut thread loose. Just slip the cut thread out from under the stable threads. You need enough to grab onto. I use my fingers but sometimes tweezers come in handy too.

Once you can get a good grip start pulling that thread. Hold the fabric with one hand pinching near where the cut thread emerges and pull with the other hand. It takes a good tug! Bunch up the fabric as if you were gathering a hem. Note: some fabrics pull easy and the thread comes out very neatly. Other fabrics the thread likes to break with the slightest tug. Monaco pulls pretty easy but oh my, the sound it makes going through the fabric sets my teeth on edge!

Once you have the thread pulled, you have a nice straight line to make a clean cut! No more wonky edges!

See, now I have all four sides done! There is no chance now of getting things cut too short or uneven. I haven't made the actual cuts yet because I'm not ready to start finishing ~ still more to do first!



There will be quite a few of my readers that already know this kind of information but I know some of my readers are still learning these little tricks that make stitching and finishing look so easy. That's why I'm posting about it. I hope this helps someone learn!

Thank you for visiting my blog today!

xox