Also known as: Bourdon stitching; trail couching; trail stitching.
Source: THOMAS, Mary (1934). Mary Thomas’s Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches, London: Hodder and Stoughton, p. 57, fig. 85.
GVE
Overcast Couching
Schematic drawing of overcast couching.
Drawing by Martin Hense.
Overcast couching is a form of couching, in which a trail of foundation threads is placed on a linear design drawn on the ground material. Then small overcast stitches (straight) or satin stitches (slanting) are worked over the foundation threads and through the ground material. The aim is to totally cover the foundation threads. This technique produces a firm, raised line that is useful for scroll patterns, plant stems and so forth.
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Couching and laidwork