Learn couching stitch embroidery. This is the opportunity you have been waiting for. A legitimate reason to sit back and put your feet up and be couching. Not as the regular couch potato, but as a very industrious seamstress using the technique of couching to create some beautiful embroidery.
Table of Contents
Couching Stitch Embroidery – What is It?
Couching is an embroidery technique that makes use of two threads at a time. It is comprised of a top thread or surface thread and a stitching thread that holds the surface thread in place. Couching can be a ‘free form’ experience or it can follow a pattern. It is especially suited to monograms.
The surface thread can be thicker or textured because it does not enter the fabric but rests on the surface. In fact, the main thread can even be fabric strips or even cord instead of embroidery floss. Yarn makes a nice couching thread especially when it is all bobbly and uneven. In the sample below, I used numerous strands of embroidery floss for the surface threads.
In the modern-day variations of traditional embroidery, couching lends itself to using different types of thread, wool, yarn, beaded work, ribbon and any other medium you could successfully stitch into a design.
Couching Stitch – Supplies
You need two threads and two needles for this technique. The needles recommended are tapestry with a bigger eye and a point to enter the fabric. If you don’t want the small securing threads to show, then use a matching color. For a contrasting look and a pop of color use 2 different colors. The 2 threads don’t need to be the same thickness or types of material.
Couching stitch is best done in an embroidery hoop to hold the fabric taut. For larger areas you can move the hoop around.
If you are new to learning embroidery, read my article on how to embroider for more tips and supplies to get you started on your new hobby.
How to Do Couching Stitch
Step one: Draw your couching stitch design on your fabric and set it into your hoop. A hoop is essential to keep the surface thread stable and help you maneuver the other thread as you stitch over the surface thread.
Thread your two needles with different threads. One is the surface thread and the stitching thread can be a contrasting color depending on your design. This technique works well in a shade lighter or even the same color, the choice is yours.
Step two: Bring the surface thread up through the back of the fabric to your starting point. Here I have used 2 strands of surface thread to get a nice thickness.
When you have started to stitch or couch the thread in place, move it to the side and pin it gently, so it does not flap around and get in your way. As you continue to couch the surface thread along the design you can move it gently into place.
Step three: Bring the stitching thread up from the back of the fabric to a place next to the surface thread at the starting point at (1).
Stitch over the surface thread with a small straight stitch at (2) and pull the needle and thread to the back of the work.
Step 4: Return to the right side of the work a bit further along the surface thread, make another small straight stitch that catches the surface thread by stitching over it.
Repeat this process as you follow the line of your design until completion. Then pull both threads to the back and end off by weaving the loose ends into the stitches at the back.
Couching Stitch – Alternative method
There is another way to do couching stitch and get the same effect and that is to make the little straight stitches in their places along the design first.
When you have mapped out the whole design in straight stitches that resemble little hoops, you can take your surface thread and run it along the design by weaving under the little stitches and pulling the surface thread gently along your design.
The result will be the same and using this method can make corners and circles a little easier to complete.
Couching Stitch – In Conclusion
Now you know what couching stitch is all about, it is time to try this beautiful facet of embroidery and feel justified to ‘couch’ all afternoon.
MORE EMBROIDERY STITCHES
- Backstitch
- Blanket Stitch
- Buttonhole Stitch
- Chain Stitch
- Chevron Stitch
- Couching Stitch
- Cross Stitch
- Double Herringbone Stitch
- How to Embroider
- Faggoting Embroidery
- Feather Stitch
- Fern Stitch
- Fishbone Stitch
- Fly Stitch
- French Knots
- Hand Embroidery Stitches
- Herringbone Stitch
- Lazy Daisy
- Running Stitch
- Sashiko Embroidery
- Satin Stitch
- Seed Stitch Embroidery (Rice Stitch)
- Stem Stitch
- Straight Stitch
- Web Stitch | Embroidery Tutorial
- Whip Stitch
Treasurie says
Hi Lavina, You can couch using any thickness of threads. I assume you are trying to get a certain look in following your pattern. Sometimes stitches are combined or altered slightly and this is what it sounds like in your pattern. Going up and down in a few places can add strength.
Lavina Motz says
While your instructions are very helpful in starting the “couching” technique, I’m still a little befuddled by the instructions on my current project. First of all, the long stitch must be done using two threads, couching only where the pattern lines intersect. My first question is: Do I couch using one thread or two? Secondly, since the thread usually goes up in one place and down in another, is this the same technique before the couching is added? Any help will be appreciated as this project was very time-consuming.