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Couching with a single needle (beadwork) icon
Couching with a single needle (beadwork)

Couching with a single needle (beadwork) main image

This entry shows how to couch a short length of beads.  Several beads are threaded onto a needle and stitched down in a length.  The same thread is then used to couch between the beads so that they are secured in place.

For an alternative method of couching beads see couching with two threads (beadwork).

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Couched Raised Embellishment Bead Embroidery

Further Reading

RSN Essential Stitch Guides: Bead Embroidery by Shelley Cox
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Couching with a single needle (beadwork) is generously sponsored by Accoutrement Designs.

Method

This version of couching should be used with short lengths of beads, no longer than 5cm (2in), and preferably on straight lines. The thread becomes unwieldy with a large number of beads and the beads themselves can then appear crowded because the longer the length, the more couching stitches are required for it to sit securely on the design line.

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Couching with a single needle (beadwork) method stage 1 illustration
Couching with a single needle (beadwork) method stage 1 photograph
1

Bring the needle up at the start of the design line, and pick up as many beads as required to cover the design line.

2
Couching with a single needle (beadwork) method stage 2 illustration
Couching with a single needle (beadwork) method stage 2 photograph
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Use the needle to push the beads up to see if they cover the design line, then take it down at the end of the line.

3
Couching with a single needle (beadwork) method stage 3 illustration
Couching with a single needle (beadwork) method stage 3 photograph
3

Pull the thread through the fabric.  Bring the needle up on the far side of the thread, two or three beads back from the end.

4
Couching with a single needle (beadwork) method stage 4 illustration
Couching with a single needle (beadwork) method stage 4 photograph
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Take the needle back down into the fabric on the near side of the thread between the same two beads. Pull the thread to the back to trap (i.e. couch) the long thread at this point.

Couching
5
Couching with a single needle (beadwork) method stage 5 illustration
Couching with a single needle (beadwork) method stage 5 photograph
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Continue couching every two or three beads along the line back to the start.

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Couching with a single needle (beadwork) method stage 6 illustration
Couching with a single needle (beadwork) method stage 6 photograph
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Ensure that no thread can be seen between the beads and that beads are not pushing each other out of shape. When you finish couching, secure the working thread on the reverse.

Couching with a single needle (beadwork)

Structure of stitch

Couched Raised

Common uses

Embellishment

Embroidery Techniques

Bead Embroidery

Related Stitches

Couching with two threads (beadwork)

References

  • Various Authors, The Royal School of Needlework Book of Embroidery (2018) , p.378