Couching or Laid Embroidery

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This name is properly applied to all forms of embroidery in which the threads of crewel, silk, or gold are laid on the surface, and stitched on to it by threads coming from the back of the material. Under this head may be classed as varieties the ordinary laid backgrounds, diaper couchings, brick stitch, basket stitch, and the various forms of stuffed couchings which are found in ancient embroideries. Couching outlines are usually thick strands of double crewel, tapestry wool, filoselle, cord, or narrow ribbon laid down and stitched at regular intervals by threads crossing the couching line at right angles. They are used for coarse outline work, or for finishing the edges of applique.

Embroidery is the handicraft of decorating fabric and/or materials with designs stitched with thread using a needle. Embroidery may also use other materials such as metal strips, pearls, beads, quills, and sequins. Today sewing machines can be used to create machine embroidery. Needlework is is a broad term for the handicrafts of decorative sewing and textile arts. Anything that uses a needle for construction can be called needlework. The definition may expand to include related textile crafts such as a crochet hook or tatting shuttles.
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