#Our52weekproject - week 11

#52weeksofstitchingthecircle

This week I've been sampling couching - the art of attaching surface threads etc to fabric with stitches at regular intervals.

By box of fancy threads. It would be very hard to actually stitch with these threads, but couching them onto the top of the fabric means they can be used in an embroidery project.

 

I've used a fine thread and a simple straight stitch to attach this pink and white fibre.

For this sample I've used three strands of a different pink fibre and used a contrasting embroidery thread to attach it to the fabric. I used the same straight stitch as the last one, but I've alternated how many of the three threads the stitch covers.

I've used buttonhole stitch for this one.

Here I laid down two rows of single chain stitches so that when the thread is woven through the chains it holds down the silk fibres in a zig zag pattern.

Again, this sample just uses a simple straight stitch to hold the fibre down, but it shows how the fibres can be wiggled about the fabric to form any kind of pattern you like'

This sample shows you can use all sorts of sizes that can be couched. This one is a hand-dyed silk rod and I've used alternate cross ans straight stitches to attach it to the fabric.

Apart from using ric rac, it's a while since I did any couching and used any of my fancy fibres. This week's circle will be a good reminder of what I have and how they can be used.

I'll be back on Tuesday.

TTFN
Louise