ssibly weaving suggested it to the embroiderers, for, take
away the intervening material, and it is not unlike woven work, and
these two arts would very likely be the accomplishment of the same
person. Perhaps the commonly used method of taking a coarse thread
through to the back (see fig. 167) suggested it, for this is briefly the
whole process.

In order to try the couching, a two-fold ground material must be firmly
stretched in an embroidery frame, a strong linen underneath and a
thinner closely woven one upon the upper side. Some fine gold passing
and some strong linen thread, well waxed, are required to work with,
also an embroidery needle with long eye and sharp point, the size, which
is important, depending upon the threads in use; the needle has to
pierce the two-fold ground material, making a hole only just large
enough for the passage of a double gold thread.

If the linen has a regular even thread the drawn pattern shown in the
diagram can be worked by counting the threads of the ground fabric, but
if this is difficult or impossible, as in the case say of a twilled
surface, a careful tracing must be made upon the linen; a beginner may
find this the easier way in any case.

The end of the gold thread, which by now, in readiness for working,
will be wound upon the bobbin or spindle, must be passed through to the
back at the starting-point, the top left-hand corner in the diagram. The
linen thread secures it at the back and then comes through to the front
upon the traced line exactly beneath (see arrow on plan). It now
encircles the gold thread which the left hand draws out rather tautly,
and then returns by the same hole to the back, pulling the metal thread
through with it. There is knack in taking the gold thread only just
through and leaving the completed stitch straight and flat upon the
surface. The process is now repeated, the linen thread coming through to
the front again upon the next traced line, and so on. When the base of
the pattern is reached the gold thread is taken through once upon that
line, and then commences a like journey upwards.

This practically explains the couching; variety is obtained by change of
pattern, but the method of carrying it out is always the same. Figs.
126, 127, and 128 show three patterns taken from old examples of this
couching.

[Illustration: Fig. 126.]

[Illustration: Fig. 127.]

The difficulties in technique are easily overcome; an important aid in
this matt