Pattern Couching for Small Areas in Focal Points

Updated June 20, 2023.
Several years ago in a blog post, Tony Minieri has pointed out the usefulness of Pattern Couching when you have a small area needing attention.

We tend to think of couching as a necessary evil used when a thread won’t go through the canvas.

Pattern couching is somewhat different. Yes, you still have one thread that sits on top of the canvas. Yes, you still make stitches over it to secure that thread to the canvas. But in pattern couching, the couched thread is close to a size that would go through the canvas, and the couching threads are different colors, creating a pattern.

Pattern couching creates a raised area because of the thread on top of the canvas. It also creates a dense solid, almost unstitched, look that will attract attention to itself. If you use a metallic for the couched thread, that will bring light and attention as well.

Tony gives us instructions to do two types of pattern couching, diagonal pattern couching (diagram at top of the article) and Or Nue’, which is done in straight lines. The Dolley Madison Star in Jubilee uses this technique. It’s pictured above.

Try this the next time you’re stuck for a stitch for your focal point.