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“For this challenge I have drawn on my love of stitching, paying attention to time, and labour.

The activity explores the versatility, potential and strengths of embroidery couching as a tool for drawing, mark-making, creating textures and making patterns.

Couching is a technique used to work outlines or fill shapes. A single thread, or group of threads, is laid and then secured to the fabric with tiny stitches which are worked with a second thread. The effect can be varied depending on your choice of thread textures and colours, and the pattern of your laid threads. The threads can be secured with stitches in different arrangements and patterns, with decorative stitches like cross stitch or sometimes even with tiny invisible stitches. The idea of the challenge is to take some time to explore the potential of coaching and the variety of patterns.

Use this time to explore the tenderness, the slowness and rhythms of hand stitching. Enjoy the pleasure in having time to make. The simplicity of hand embroidery offers you time to reflect and to be intimate with your thoughts.

When I stitch I’m attempting to find order and rhythm; this very human rhythm allows me to slow down. The process allows you to be present and it becomes a way of declaring your presence.”

TextileArtist.org community stitch challenge Week four: Richard McVetis workbook

TextileArtist.org community stitch challenge Week four: Richard McVetis workbook4

Filling space and time

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What you’ll need• Some fabric, calico, linen or cotton (minimum 25 x 25 cm)

• A selection of threads in various textures or colours. You could try introducing other non-traditional materials you might have collected, such as ribbons, wires or steel cable.

• Sewing needles (in sizes to suit your thread and fabric)

• A pencil

• An embroidery hoop

• Time to slow down and enjoy the process!

TextileArtist.org community stitch challenge Week four: Richard McVetis workbook

TextileArtist.org community stitch challenge Week four: Richard McVetis workbook4

The Challenge• Draw four shapes on your fabric using a pencil. These can be squares,

circles, or you could draw around an object found in your home. All the shapes can be the same, or you might make them different for a more interesting exploration in shape and form. These shapes set the boundaries for your couching.

• For couching I would always recommend a hoop. I also use a stand clamped to the table, although this is not essential.

• Fill each shape with a different type of couching.

• The key is to take your time. Think of it as a form of meditation and use your stitching time to explore the shapes and outlines. Be mindful and focus on the task at hand to gain contentment from the stitching process.

• Each shape becomes an abstract record of time and space. If you like you could record how much time each shape takes to stitch, by making a note of when you start and finish. You might find it interesting to see how your time is represented by the stitches and how your perception of time changes during slow-process activities like hand embroidery.

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TextileArtist.org community stitch challenge Week four: Richard McVetis workbook4Couching techniques

Couched outline/continuous line Outline your shape, then bounce a line across the shape to create a network of patterns or shapes. Or just draw freely, taking the line for a walk.

Fill with a continuous line Bring the needle and thread from the back of the fabric, securing the beginning of your couched line. Make sure you have a long enough thread to fill the entire shape. Start on the outside of the shape and work your way inwards. Secure the continuous line of laid thread with stitches using a second thread. You could try securing with irregularly-placed stitches, a brick pattern or neatly lined up stitches. Or you could couch using cross stitch or another decorative stitch. Continue to work the couched line around your shape and secure it with the second thread as you go.

Fill with straight stitch Use a series of long straight stitches to fill the shape with a block of colour, then couch with a second thread to secure them in place.

4TextileArtist.org community stitch challenge Week four: Richard McVetis workbook

TextileArtist.org community stitch challenge Week four: Richard McVetis workbook4Fill with Jacobean or trellis couching Jacobean couching is made with two stitch types, leading to a trellis appearance. It is constructed from a series of long straight stitches, crossed by a second set of long stitches, creating a trellis work. These long stitches are fastened to the fabric base by small cross stitches, often using a different colour.

Examples

Couched horsehair line

Couched lattice of lines and geometric shapes

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Filling with a continuous line

A combination of couched lines, a continuous waxed linen line and couched straight stitches

Couched line with horsehair (at top) and filling with a continuous line (yellow circle)

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Jacobean/trellis couching (with tiny cross stitch)

Blanket stitch couchingCouched straight stitches

Example of four different couching techniques - filling with a continuous line, Jacobean/trellis coaching, couched straight lines and a couched lattice of lines making geometric shapes

Artist Jennie Loudon’s couching sample from my recent stitch workshop, showing an excellent exploration of materials.

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Notes

TextileArtist.org community stitch challenge Week four: Richard McVetis workbook

TextileArtist.org community stitch challenge

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Week four: Richard McVetis workbook

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4Notes

TextileArtist.org community stitch challenge

TextileArtist.org community stitch challenge Week four: Richard McVetis workbook

Week four: Richard McVetis workbook