Horseshoe Split Side Seam Cutout Embroidery Design

The part I kept redrawing

The longest part on this one was getting the split seam shape to sit right around the horseshoe without looking bulky on a shirt side seam. A side cutout has to do two jobs at once. It needs to read clearly as a horseshoe, and it also has to leave a clean opening that looks intentional once the shirt is worn. I kept adjusting that balance so the shape felt western and simple instead of fussy.

Small changes mattered here. A side shirt design can look cute in the hoop and still feel awkward once it is actually on a sweatshirt, so I paid close attention to the outline and the opening together.

I like this design for kids and girls western outfits because it gives you that farm and cowboy look without covering the whole shirt front. It sits off to the side, which makes it easy to pair with bows, jeans, or layered pieces from the barn or rodeo closet. Cindy said it goes great with the boot stitch, and that pairing makes sense to me because both designs keep the outfit feeling simple and country.

If you have never made a split seam shirt before, I included the video link for the method I use. The technique is the same for this design. Sheila called it simple but cute for a side shirt, and that is exactly the lane this one fits: a focused little detail that stitches well and changes the look of a basic tee or sweatshirt.