Distant Stitch Diploma, Module 2, Chapter 2 - Metallic Embroidery related to Opus Anglicanum - Couching


I started by looking through my stash for gold wired threads. I had a few left over from a goldwork embroidery I had made from a kit, more than 10 years ago. Next port of call was Golden Hinde!

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I also made up my own threads using metallic threads zigzagged onto different cores.



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As my theme is coral reefs, I decided to look at the shiny scales of fish.


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Outline stitched in handmade gold cord, with fins made from gold cord and pulled gold purl. The eye is stitched with gold flatworm, mounted over felt to raise it, topped with a turquoise sequin and bead. The 'skeleton' is imitation gold leather, backed with silver sequins.


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Here I couched variegated silk thread over chicken wire!


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I cut up a small foil cake casing in a long spiral, from the outside towards the centre and couched it down using gold passing and buttonhole stitch. It has a great 3D effect.


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A more traditional design here, using modern threads. I couched down a piece of hand made cord and 'wove' strands of fine metallic passing thread over it, to make it look like basketwork.

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 Metallic washers and gold wire netting couched down with gold thread, using a cross stitch.

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 Metallic thread zigzagged onto wire which was then wound round a narrow rod and couched down with small 'invisible' stitches. Small cut spangles couched down between the wires.


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Metallic thread wound into lengths and couched down by machine with thick metallic Wonderfil.


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I had some burnished and embossed copper sheet, left over from another project, so I have couched it down using gold thread, with the feed-dogs up.


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This is a piece of sari waste which I have couched down using a set pattern, using free-machine embroidery. The 'original' pattern is displayed at the top of the sample.


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I couched some knitted lurex gold thread down by placing a layer of vanishing muslin over it, free machining in a spiral towards the centre, painting it and then heating it. The muslin flaked away (with the help of a toothbrush) but the thread wasn't damaged by the heat.


Presentation Sheet 2