Designs for couching

[Margaret]

I am looking to do some couching work on some sleeves similar to the undersleeves on this gown.  It can be any design - it's the couching detail I like and not necessarily the particular pattern on these sleeves.

Does anyone know of any patterns out there that will help me - or do I just have to bite the bullet and draw it out myself?

[isabelladangelo]

I actually didn't draw the couching I did out but laid down the main out lines and then did the filler work by eye alone.

For that design that you have posted, it probably would be a good idea to just lay the sleeves flat and draw the design out.   Couching itself isn't too bad.  You just need to pin the cord down on the section you want to sew.

[Margaret]

See - there's the issue at hand:  I can't draw.  Also, for me to attempt to put that pattern on a flat surface, well sufice to say, there will be much cursing.

Do I just have to suck it up and start cursing now?

[Marietta Graziella]

*raising hand waving madly in the air*

Uh, brain freeze here...  what's couching, exactly?

[gem]

Couching is a method of attaching braid/cord/etc to the surface of fabric, when you can't/don't want to sew it *through* the fabric itself.  You lay the braid/cord onto the fabric and take tiny invisible (or decorative) stitches across it to secure it to the fabric.  This is often done with gold fibers, as they're typically too costly to waste half beneath the fabric where you can't see it, and too fragile to sew with, anyway.

This site has decent (if primitive) graphics that demonstrate it.

As far as embroidery stitches go, it's a pretty easy one.

[Margaret]

Yep - here's what I got from Wiki on the subject:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Couching.

[isabelladangelo]

Could you get someone else to draw it out on the fabric for you and "trace" along with your cord?

[Margaret]

Yep!  That's actually what is going to happen.

I have had an offer of help from a wonderful woman.  WOOT!