In today's article we are going to delve into the topic of Couching, a topic that has aroused great interest in recent years. Couching is an area of study that has captured the attention of academics, experts and enthusiasts alike, and has generated debate and research in various fields. From its impact on society to its implications in everyday life, Couching has proven to be a relevant and constantly evolving topic. In this article, we will explore different aspects and perspectives of Couching, in order to shed light on this fascinating topic and provide a more complete view of its importance in today's world.
In embroidery, couching and laid work are techniques in which yarn or other materials are laid across the surface of the ground fabric and fastened in place with small stitches of the same or a different yarn.
The couching threads may be either the same color as the laid threads or a contrasting color. When couching threads contrast with laid threads, patterns may be worked in the couching stitches.
Applications
Laid work is one of two techniques used in the Bayeux Tapestry, an embroidered cloth probably dating to the later 1070s. (The other technique is stem stitch.)
Couching is also characteristic of Japanese metal-thread embroidery and Central Asiansuzani work.
Another example of Islamic embroidery is the strong tradition of couching stitch in Palestine. Production centered on Bethlehem and its two neighbouring villages Beit Sahour and Beit Jalla; it was used for wedding dresses and formal wear.
Variants
In couching, one or more threads are laid on the fabric surface and sewn to the fabric at regular intervals.
In couched filling, threads are laid on the surface in a trellis pattern and sewn to the fabric at the intersections.
In laid work or Bayeux stitch, threads are laid side-by-side to fill a shape, then held in place with a thread at right angles to the laid threads. This crossing thread is then couched to the fabric to hold the laid threads in place.
In Bokhara couching or Bokhara stitch, the couched threads are held in place with many tiny crossing stitches, which may be aligned from row to row to produce patterns.
In Roumanian stitch, long satin stitches are each held in place with a small diagonal stitch made in the center.
In Roumanian couching, bundles of laid threads are held in place with Roumanian stitches.
In underside couching, a heavy couching thread (historically, a stout linen) is brought up from the wrong side of the work, looped over the laid thread, and returned to the wrong side. The couching thread is then given a sharp pull which draws a small loop of laid thread through to the wrong side of the fabric. Underside couching has the advantages that the couching thread is completely concealed from the front and is not subject to wear.
Gallery
Couching
Couched filling
Laid work
Bokhara couching
Roumanian stitch
Roumanian couching
Underside couching, front (left) and back (right)
Notes
^Enthoven, Jacqueline (1964). The Creative Stitches of Embroidery. Van Norstrand Rheinhold. p. 165. ISBN0-442-22318-8.
^Wilson, Erica (1973). Erica Wilson's Embroidery Book. New York: Scribner. pp. 84–86.
^Levey, Santina; King, Donald (1993). The Victoria and Albert Museum's Textile Collection Vol. 3: Embroidery in Britain from 1200 to 1750. Victoria and Albert Museum. ISBN1-85177-126-3.
^Lemon, Jane (2004). Metal Thread Embroidery. Sterling. p. 112. ISBN0-7134-8926-X.
^Weir, Shelagh (1989). Palestinian Costume. British Museum. p. 127. ISBN0-7141-1597-5.
^Enthoven, Jacqueline. The Creative Stitches of Embroidery. pp. 165–175.
^Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Needlework. The Reader's Digest Association, Inc. 1992. pp. 32–33, 44–45. ISBN0-89577-059-8.
^Lemon, Jane (2005). Metal Thread Embroidery. Batsford Ltd. p. 112. ISBN978-0713489262.
References
Caulfeild, S.F.A., and B.C. Saward, The Dictionary of Needlework, 1885.
Enthoven, Jacqueline: The Creative Stitches of Embroidery, Van Norstrand Rheinhold, 1964, ISBN0-442-22318-8
Reader's Digest, Complete Guide to Needlework. The Reader's Digest Association, Inc. (March 1992). ISBN0-89577-059-8
Lemon, Jane, Metal Thread Embroidery, Sterling, 2004, ISBN0-7134-8926-X
Levey, S. M. and D. King, The Victoria and Albert Museum's Textile Collection Vol. 3: Embroidery in Britain from 1200 to 1750, Victoria and Albert Museum, 1993, ISBN1-85177-126-3
Weir, Shelagh Palestinian Costume. British Museum. ISBN0-7141-1597-5.