The first layer consists of a series of stitches (often a surface satin stitch) placed side-by-side in order to fill the required shape. These threads, lying on the surface of the cloth, are called the laid threads (also called ground threads or the laid base). The next layer of thread (crossing threads or crossing stitches) are worked at right angles to the laid threads. The two layers are then held in place (couched down) on the ground material with small stitches (usually a tent stitch or sometimes a cross stitch), which are normally described as the couching stitches or tying down stitches.
Laid work is sometimes called Bayeux stitch after the famous Bayeux tapestry, which dates to the second half of the eleventh century. The Bayeux tapestry was predominantly stitched using laid work with some stem stitch.
See also the TRC Needles entry on stab stitch.
Sources:
- BUTLER, Anne (1983). The Batsford Encyclopaedia of Embroidery Stitches, London: Batsford, p. 36.
- http://medieval.webcon.net.au/technique_stitches.html.
Digital source of illustration (retrieved 7th July 2016).
GVE