Couching over objects
Gold embroidery is a three-dimensional art. Many different effects are produced by raising the metal threads over another thread, string, cord or padded area. The two simplest items to add depth to a work are string and felt padding.

When working over string, first couch the string onto the fabric in the same manner you would couch metal threads. Ideally the string should be dyed yellow for goldwork (felt tip pens are good for this) so that any of it that isn’t covered by passing thread isn’t immediately obvious.

If the strings are far apart, or there is only one string, the normal techniques is to put the couching stitches very close to it so that the passing thread covers the string tightly. If you want a more ‘basket weaving’ effect, work over two or more strings, couching between every other pair of strings with a single couching stitch rather than two.

When working over felt it is best to build up the shape required from several different layers of felt, each a little larger than the previous, until the desired height is achieved. In order to keep this height, any passing threads that overlie the padded area are not stitched into place over the padding. As with stitching over string, make the couching stitches at the edge of the felt and then lay the thread over the felt, ensuring that it is covered evenly then place the next stitch on the other side of the felt. Yellow felt should be used for goldwork, while grey or white felt should be used for silverwork.