the worker will easily master the stitch, which is quite simple. The
ordinary carrying out of the stitch is shown where the needle is at
work, and in another part the diagram, by some loosened stitches,
illustrates how to pass from one cluster to the next.

Some fine examples of canvas work design, introducing a variety of
stitches, may be seen in the Victoria and Albert Museum. These are large
panels filled with foliage and flowers growing about architectural
columns.[3]

FOOTNOTES:

[2] No. 879, 1904.

[3] No. 517-522, 1896.

CHAPTER VIII

METHODS OF WORK

Couching--Braid Work--Laid Work--Applied Work--Inlaid Work--Patch
Work.

COUCHING

Couching is the name given to a method of embroidery in which one thread
is attached to the material by another one. Sometimes not only one
thread but a number of threads are couched down together; or it may be
cord, braid, or metal thread that is attached to the material in this
way. Fig. 88 shows some couching in progress. The method probably arose
through the difficulty experienced in passing either coarse or very
delicate threads through a material. Couching is constantly in use with
gold thread embroidery, and it is further discussed in the chapter upon
that subject, where also is described an entirely different method,
which is to be recommended for couching other as well as for gold
threads.

[Illustration: Fig. 88.]

Couching is useful in a variety of ways, _e.g._ for carrying out work in
line or for outlining other embroidery, applied work for instance, which
is frequently finished off by means of a couched thread; in the case of
a difficult ground material, it is one of the most manageable methods of
working. The geometrical open fillings of leaves and backgrounds are
often composed of lines of thread thrown across and couched down at
regular intervals. Fig. 89 is an example of a favourite filling of this
kind. Embroidery stitches can be made use of for couching down other
threads; a bunch of threads may be laid upon the material, and an open
chain, buttonhole, or feather stitch worked over in order to fix it in
place.

[Illustration: Fig. 89.]

Braid work is quickly and easily executed; it needs only a suitable
pattern and a pretty braid for couching down to be most successful.
There are a few points to be observed about the technique--the cut edge
of a braid is awkward to manage, for it must, with a special needle, be
taken through to the