Surface Couching is also known as
Couching [EN], Punto de bolonia [ES], Point de Boulogne [FR], Klosterstich [DE], Punto Bologna [IT], Ponto de bolonha [PT].
How to do the Surface Couching
This is a very basic form of couching. The Surface Couching essentially teaches you the technique of couching for all other couched stitches. This method can be used to make outlines, or layers of this stitch can be made to fill in patterns. Using contrasting colors can create nice and interesting variations. Do not feel afraid to experiment a bit with colors and kinds of threads. I will work this stitch over a curved line to show how easily this stitch can take meander.
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| Fig 1: Start by bringing out a thread (brown in the illustration) for laying from one end of the stitch line. Keep it open. Now, bring another thread (red in the illustration) out, a little outside the stitch line, and away from the other thread, as shown. |
Fig 2: Now, keep the laid thread over the stitch line. Use the other thread to fasten the laid thread down using a small stitch, as shown. |
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| Fig 3: After fastening, the stitch will look like this. | Fig 4: Now, bring the fastening thread out as a short distance from the earlier stitch as shown. Lay the open thread over the stitch line, and again fasten it down with a small stitch. |
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| Fig 5: Continue with this method for the entire stitch line. To finish up, pass the laid thread through the fabric and knot it. Make sure the couching thread is brought out at regular intervals to make it look elegant. | Fig 6: A finished couched line will look like this. |
Learn to do Surface Couching in 2 minutes!
Use this stitch on a pattern
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Other Stitches from the Couching Stitch Family
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Honeycomb Filling
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Learn this Stitch along with 305 other stitches from our 600-page eBook.
Sarah has been researching and sharing hand embroidery lessons for over 17 years, making it accessible to everyone around the globe.
This tutorial was very helpful. I have ordered a crewel embroidery project and it appears to be a bit more advanced than my regular skills. I will want to check into your site for help on stitches that are not familiar to me. Thanks for this.
That’s wonderful, Judie. Happy that you will be referring our pages. Enjoy the stitching, and if you’d like, you can share a sample of your work here to inspire the others. 🙂
Do you have an e-book? Will it be available when complete?
Thank you.
Hi Peggy, Our hand embroidery e-book will be made available this month. Thanks for enquiring.
Hi, I’m interested of this hand embroidery… Just want to know what kind of pabric and yarn I’m going to use if ever… Thanks 🙂
from where on your web i can get embroidery pattrens
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topic оf thiѕ weblog, tҺiѕ blog is really remarkable.
Awesome. Thank you!
What is traditional embroidery? Is it done by hand or by machine?
hi Simii, Traditional embroidery is done by hands. All the embroideries before the machines started to replace it can be called forms of traditional embroidery.
What is the meaning of traditional embroidery?? Is it done by hands or by machine?
What a wonderful and informative site. I love embroidery but always seem to be quilting. I am incorporating your embroidery into some of my quilts. My quilting is only for family and myself.
Do you have your book of stitches for sale? I see it on the bottom right hand of you list under Stitch O meter as an E-Book but cannot get access to the site. Thank you for your wonderful stitches and explanations. Jo
hi
sarah
could you please give me pattern for laced running stitch.
thanks
lovely
The subscribe to tutorials button seems to be broken, when I click on it I get a page of script that I assume is the *behind* of your web page.
You need to secure this or someone could come along and hack into it
Take care of you all x
Dear Louise,
Thanks a lot for your comments, and informing about the technical issues. Please allow us some time, and we will check on it and get it back up and running.
Sarah
I love what I have so far read of your site, it is interesting to find so many different cultures within.
I am however, having difficulty in accessing the stitch tutorials. Have you thought of creating a menu down the right side showing each stitch family and then attaching each of the lessons onto it (similar to what you have done above). When I hold down the menu button I get a caption asking if I want to open it in a different tab?? This s why I suggested a different type of menu.
I am not sure how to explain what I mean. I don’t know how to create a Web page.
Otherwise I am so happy that you have created this site. I know it took a long time.
Please keep up the good work x
I
We did have a tab on the right hand side just the way you said. But we had to take it out for some technical issues. I know that was more convenient. So, let us see if can put that back on. Thanks for your suggestions! 🙂
Did you know someone else is also copying your pics & text for tutorials to put on their blogs? Don’t know if they sought your permission. If they did, perfectly fine & ignore this. If not, maybe you would want to look into it… In the introduction, the blogger sure says that she has picked it up from other sources. Maybe, linking back to the source would be a better idea, than copy + paste the pics & text… No?
http://deepasenbagamemb.blogspot.nl/2014/07/woven-stitch-family.html
Thanks a lot Snehalatha! We have informed them and asked them to remove our copyrighted content from their website.
I hate when people do this, they take someone elses hard work and effort and pass it off as there own. Makes my blood boil. They do it will peoples designs too, e.g. cross-stitch or crochet or other types of hand stitching patterns.
Your site is inspirational. A proper treasure trove of stitches and tutorials. Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful skills and knowledge.
I mentioned your site in my latest blog post as I’ve used stitches learned from you to decoarate a little cushion.
http://www.thesingingtree.biz/index.php/2016/08/little-cottage-cushion/
Dear Elly,
Your cushion looks fantastic! How beautifully and neatly done. Thanks for uploading a picture. I am so happy to see it! 🙂
Are the stitches for Brazilian embroidery and is it all stitches plus do they come in a book as I would like to do Brazilian Embroidery I am New at this I have never done it before
thank you and have a nice day
Elaine
Where can I see all the tutorials done by you. I can only see the recent stitches on the right side of the page..round 5 to 6 but not all. Please share all the tutorials.
Sona, there is a menu on top, with all the stitches and embroideries. Hover/click on the menu item and navigate to the stitch tutorial you need.