January Sampler of the Month- Couching!

Everybody- it's January!  The Couching Sampler is going out to all new subscribers this afternoon*
Let's start by looking at some of the beautiful versions of this design that people stitched last year....

I love this pile-up from Davyse.  I'm digging how she made that border.....

All of Grace Anna's samplers are meticulous- each letter is hand stitched! 

Here's a cropped view of Sarah Stanfield's version.  I love how each of her samplers has a different background.  

Did you stitch the samplers last year?  I'd love to feature your work on the blog!  Be sure to upload your photos to the Dropcloth Sampler Flickr Pool.  I'll be posting samplers here once a month. Thanks!

Couching is one of my favorite stitches because it can be done with so many different threads, yarns, ribbons, and wires.  I'm sure that many of you are knitters- knitting yarn makes the thickest, most beautiful lines when they are couched down!  I especially like using sock or fingering weight yarn.  I'm no knitter, but my mom is, and she saves all those little remnants for me.  I also like using thicker bulky yarns and other strings and things.

Generally couching is done with two needles, and for these thick yarns and cords, I recommend either a sharp tapestry needle or a chenille needle.  HOWEVER- if your thread can't go through a needle, don't worry about it!  Just lay it down on top of your fabric.  Your stitches will secure it.  If you need help getting started, check out the tutorial I wrote last summer for the etsy blog.

Every sampler going out this month includes yarn and chinese knotting cord for you to experiment with.  The yarn is from my own collection of knitting ends, and the knotting cord I got at Pacific Trimming while I was out in the garment district yesterday.  I saw it at Purl when I was out earlier this week too, where they are using it to make friendship bracelets..... It makes a nice stiff line when couched down.

*Please note that due to a printing error, if you are an ongoing subscriber, your sampler will ship out early next week.  I am so sorry for the delay.  I hope it will be worth the wait!