COUCHING

Couching is an ancient embroidery technique in which a metal thread (gold or silver) is not pulled through the cloth but laid on top and fastened to the ground with tiny stitches. This was done because the precious metal thread was too thick and brittle to be drawn through. In Ukraine couching flourished in ecclesiastical and Cossack dress: vestments, shrouds and Hetman regalia embroidered in gold shone with splendour and marked high status. The technique demands incredible precision and patience, and the result is a raised, relief lustre of metal on cloth. Today couching is being revived in high fashion as a symbol of authentic luxury.