Couching is the process of using embroidery stitches to stitch a cord (or yarn or decorative thread) to the surface of your fabric. It’s a fun way to add some nice dimension to your work and it can give you a really unique effect.
Give it a try!
If you want to couch using your sewing machine – take a look at this video.
Here are all my lessons for outline embroidery stitches.
- running stitch
- back stitch
- split stitch
- stem stitch
- chain stitch
- threaded stitches
- whipped stitches
- backstitched chain stitch
- couching
- couching with satin stitch
Return to the Learn to Embroider main Table of Contents.
Move on to the lessons teaching fill stitches.
Great blog – I’ve learned a lot.
I’m glad it’s been helpful!
question. What do you do to ends of cord-etc. to keep from fraying?
Than you . I am so enjoying your videos on sewing and embrod. Your are a talented teacher.
I sometimes dip mine in Fray Check or a bit of clear nail polish. Some cords don’t seem to fray much at all and you can sating stitch a bit right over the end. You can also sometimes use an awl to spread a bit of a hole in the fabric – you can poke the end down into the hole. Do that last one with caution though – and test first on a scrap of fabric.
I would love to start and really get into embroidery. I start and then stop because it doesn’t turn out how I planned. I saw some actually draw on the fabric before even starting.
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