Soutache embroidery uses a particular type of very narrow braid, which has a characteristic V-shaped appearance. Sometimes the term soutache is applied to a variety of decorative narrow braids, but again this is technically incorrect.
The use of soutache braids became popular in the West in the nineteenth century, for creating various types of interlacing designs and letters (especially for Celtic designs). A suitable design was worked in ink or paint on a ground material and then the braid was laid onto the design and stitched down the middle using a small running stitch. The aim was to complete the design using one continuous length of braid.
Sometimes the braid was sewn onto net, in order to make soutache (net) lace. It was also threaded onto a long-eyed needle and used as a decorative element and/or padding in Mountmellick embroidery from Ireland.
Sources:
- KLICKMAN, Fiona (1910). The Home Art Book of Fancy Stitching, London: the Girl's Own Paper and Woman's Magazine, 4th edition, p. 5.
- THOMAS, Mary (1936). Mary Thomas's Embroidery Book, London: Hodder and Stoughton, pp. 175-176.
- The Shorter Oxford English Dictionary: 'Soutache'.
Digital source (retrieved 4th May 2016).
Digital source of illustration (retrieved 9th July 2016).
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