Cutwork

Cutwork (Richelieu) is a technique of openwork embroidery in which part of the fabric inside the pattern is cut away and the edges are finished with a buttonhole stitch, joining the motifs with thin bars (brides). Thus a light, airy lace arises directly on the cloth. The name is linked to Cardinal Richelieu, under whom the technique flourished in France, but in Ukraine it became an inseparable part of folk embroidery and linen — towels, shirts, tablecloths. Cutwork demands precision and patience: first the outline is embroidered, then the fabric is carefully cut away without damaging the stitch. The result is a refined, 'transparent' pattern combining dense and openwork areas. In modern fashion cutwork is valued for its handmade refinement. It is a technique of tender, airy lace, in which the skill of the hands turns ordinary cloth into a transparent, precious-looking fabric.