textilejewels

My quick way decorating either before making up fabric or on bought clothes is couching by using my 45 year old Bernina. Fabric paint applied prior to sewing jazzes up a plain fabric. Some interlining may be necessary to prevent 'tunnelling'. I use a zig zag stitch just wide enough to cover the thread but set quite a longstitch so that the colour of the thread is obvious. An ecnomical way of achieving a great effect is to use a plain thread couched down with variegated cotton thread and a an equally interesting coloured thread in the bobbin. I avoid machine embroidery thread as it is not strong enough to withstand washing and ironing. I often slip snippets of silk under the thread that frays beautifully once washed.