Happy Sunday! I hope everyone is enjoying this gorgeous day. Since I'm about three steps away from a nap (this second shot has made me so tired), I'm staying in for now and working on learning a new stitch - the couching stitch.
Couching is a technique where stitching is done over a ground or base thread to create laid work. It was used in the Bayeux Tapestry, one of the oldest examples of embroidered tapestry. Like most embroidery stitches, there are a lot of variations on the couching stitch. The most basic version is completed by using a ground thread in a straight or curved line, and stitching small stitches evenly over the ground thread. You can use the same color threads or use multiple threads for variety. Depending on your preference, you can either lay the ground stitch first and then stitch over it or stitch the smaller stitches first and then weave the ground thread through. I did both of these options today.
I also tried Bokhara couching, where the stitches are set at closer intervals to one another creating a more defined pattern. This is often used for leaves or flower petals; I plan to try this technique for a future flower piece. I also did a variation that's more like padded satin stitching, where the anchor threads are closer together, so it looks like the ground thread is covered and raised. It creates a raised appearance. I think this could be cool for things like trees or branches. Finally, I created a couching spiral/freehand loops. I used DMC Cotton Perle for this version. Perle thread isn't my favorite for detailed embroidery, but I thought it would well for this experiment. Couching can be used with a lot of different types of materials, like ribbon, rope, and heavier threads. This last version would be cool in a heavier material.
Enjoy my couching stitch sampler!
Details:
Stitches: couching stitch, Bokhara couching stitch
Thread palette: Pieces are numbered 1-5 starting with the Bokhara at the top right. I used 6 strands for all but option 5. Cotton Perle is one strand.
- Option 1 (Bokahara): SS 402, 803
- Option 2 (wrapped couching): SS 403
- Option 3 (anchor stitches first, then weaved ground stitch): SS 206, 922
- Option 4 (regular couching): SS 013, 804
- Option 5 (spiral/loops): DMC Perle 351, 4240
- Border: DMC Perle 351, SS 013, 803, 804, 922
Comments
Post a Comment