Couching Stitch Conservation | antiquetextileclinic

Couching Stitch in Conservation of Textiles

The couching stitch technique is used to stabilize frayed and shredded areas where warp or weft is partially or completely lost. A support fabric attached to the back of damage area/s. A thread is laid across the damaged surface and fastened in place with a small stitches of the same yarn, in the front. This traditional technique is a secure way to join the support fabric with the damaged area.

Pillowcase. Antique Italian velvet centr panel.

Full view before (above) after (below)

In the Process

The pillowcase was disassembled, to best conserve the panel. Silk fabric of a similar weave was selected, dyed and attached to the back of the center panel. Parallel rows of couching stitches secured the panel and the support fabric.

European Tapestry

Full view before.

Area Before (left) After (right) After Detail (above)

The extended damaged area where the silk weft is missing was stabilized by the couching technique with support fabric on the back.

Pillowcase Assembled with Pieces of Safavid Fabric

Before

The damage areas were reinforced with silk support fabric in the back and the were edges secured with couching stitches.

After

Rare Antique Persian Rug

Since it was nearly impossible to reweave the design, the choice was made to use the couching stitch conservation to perserve the existing design. The tattered areas were stabilized by couching stitch technique. In the Process (top), Before (left), and After (right)

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