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- By: f_reescb
- couching technique - help?
-
- You asked about couching..... I just tried this last night and it is
- wonderful. One way that couching is done is by loading the bobbin with thick
- thread or ribbon floss. ( this is done by hand winding the bobbin ) then
- bypass the bobbin tension and (I used clear filiment) regular thread for
- the needle.
- Stitch as you would for everyday seam sewing on the wrong side of the
- material so the bobbin (decorative thread) is top side. Be sure to hold both
- top and bobbin threads as you take the first few stitches. Suggestion is to
- try using zig-zag stitches and the creates a beautiful effect. This type of
- stitchery has spontaneity and free formations.
- Another form of couching is done by laying thick thread i.e. yarn on the
- material and with a straight stitch through the yarn in small sticthes until
- the design is filled in. If the thread of the machine matches the yarn it
- will be almost invisible to see. Robbie Fanning's book _The Complete Book of
- Machine Embroidery_ has instuctions for this and more.
- The SCS Sewing and Craft Supply 1-800-542-4727 sells an Omni machine which
- does exclusive couching chores. If you call them they will send you a wonder
- ful video illustrating their machine.
- I hope I have been some help............
-
- Charlene
-
- - My wife saw a TV show this week "Sewing with Nancy" and it talked about
- - "COUCHING".She wishes to get some info on these techniques and what
- -fabric is used? Can anyone help me gather info? THANKS in advance.
- - --
- Hi there. I can help with the information on couching. As to fabric,
- anything you want. The concept is to lay an embellishing thread or fabric
- on top of : for instance - a sweatshirt - then sew over the thread or
- cording or yarn with a decorative stitch or perhaps a metallic thread.
- There really isn't a lot of technique involved, more important is the
- creativity involved in deciding what to use and how to use it.
- I have several samples of couching ideas, one using a very bright yarn with
- lots of color on a solid background and a monofiliment yarn for the
- couching. Makes it look like there is nothing holding the yarn.
- Another is a lame' fabric that has been 'scrunched' (gathered up tightly
- then relaxed and fused to a backing. It was then couched down using a
- metallic thread. Lots of glitter and pizazz with little effort and unlike
- anything you could find in the store since it was done with the fabric
- and threads the creator wanted to use.
- Many feet from your sewing machine can be used to enhance your stitching.
- Using a pintuck foot, you can accurately measure each line of stitching if
- that is the look you want.
- A fringe foot will give it the look of loops, a cording foot will allow you
- to control the couched thread in the direction you want it to go.