Machine Couching-A Sneak Peek
Good Morning, Quilters!
Today–a sneak peek at a project I am machine couching.
You all know I LOVE thread….but the heaviest weight we can stitch with the thread on top is 12 wt. The needle will not accommodate threads heavier than 12wt.
To stitch a heavier thread, you must use a technique called couching.
What is Couching?
Couching is the method of laying a heavy fiber down and then stitching over or through it to attach it to the fabric below. Machine couching can be tricky, especially when creating curvy lines. Now BERNINA has three different feet to help guide the thread through the foot while stitching it down. Read We All Sew, Machine Couching Three Ways.
Two of the couching feet allow free motion quilting!
Experimenting with Machine Couching
Over the past several years, I have played with machine couching. I have experimented with a variety of yarns, cords and fibers -all with mixed success. However, this week, when I started playing, I knew I was onto something!
“The game is afoot!” as my favorite detective would say.
The blue yarn looked great on the white background! The Cascade Fixation –yarn with just a little elastic was turning and twisting into Nora’s Rose beautifully!
I couldn’t stop….
Coming Soon to a Computer Near YOU!
For installment 2 of “The Game is a Foot” or “How I Learned to Love Machine Couching” Stay tuned!
Your Sewing Sleuth,
SherLo(ri)K
221 B Baker Street
PS…All images, information and tutorials are the property of Lori Kennedy Quilts and are intended for personal use only. Feel free to re-blog, pin or share with attribution to Lori Kennedy Quilts. For all other uses, please contact me at Lori@LoriKennedyQuilts.com. Thanks!
PPS. Nora’s Rose is just one of the twelve gorgeous flowers found in Free Motion Machine Quilting 1-2-3. Every Etsy purchase from the Lori Kennedy Shop comes with a treat inside–and signed books make great gifts!
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Beautiful Lori, have done a little couching . Well have played a little , so much fun when it works. Very excited to learn all about your experience.
Your couching looks beautiful! I have played with it a little with the free motion couching foot and it was fun. I’m debating whether to get the ruler foot with the inserts. I’m really being pulled to it. Thanks for all of your beautiful designs that work for both quilting and couching!
Beautiful Lori, would love to try it!
Pretty!
Wow, really cool!
I too love couching and have been playing with it for the past few years. I’m eager to learn any tips you can share, especially for selecting good/bad yarns/threads for couching, your FAV machine settings, as well as tips for curves vs points vs straight line couching. Guess that means ALL couching tips & tricks. How about a book with couching designs? Maybe even include stitching tips with 12 wt threads. Sincerely, I think there is a need for such a book and you are the best person for the job!
Bethanne Nemesh will have an online couching class available at the end of the year. She also has a good article about it in the July issue of American Quilter magazine. But, I agree, a book from Lori would be great!
I guess it’s time for me to revisit my feet stash, so bring it on, Lori. I’m ready for ya.
Looks like a lot of fun! I might have to give it a whirl.
In my limited experience I had the most luck using Caron Watercolour 3 ply embroidery thread. It fits my Bernina free motion couching foot just right and because it is a “chain”rather than a twist, it does not fall apart on curves. And the colors are beautiful!
How timely for me: I’ve planned a quilt for couching and haven’t begun, so especially look forward to your sharing ~ thanks so much!