Are you a topstitching enthusiast, but want to bring your topstitching to the next level? You may want to consider couching. Couching is a process where you stitch a trim (decorative thread, yarn, or cord) on to a fabric. You can do this by hand or by machine. This article will show you how I couched three colours on to the seams of a lightweight denim shirt that I made.
Here’s what we used:
Three-thread couching foot
Three colours of heavy topstitching thread
Thread to match fabric
Sewing machine with three-step zigzag stitch


As mentioned above, I used a special sewing foot on my sewing machine that is specially designed for three decorative threads or yarns. The top of the foot has a clip that holds the threads in place in front of the needle. The second photo shows the underside of the foot, showing special grooves that hold the threads in place behind the needle.

The first thing I did was tie my three threads together. This helps to keep them in control (and from sliding out of the foot accidentally).




Once the threads were tied, I loaded them into the couching foot. I photographed this process with the foot removed from the sewing machine to make it easier to see, but normally I would do this while the foot was attached to the machine. The threads were loaded one at a time starting with the left most thread, then the one in the centre, and finally the one on the right. The fourth photo above shows how the threads sit in the grooves on the underside of the foot.

Once the foot is loaded and attached to the machine, it will look like the image above.


I set my machine to the three-step zigzag stitch (shown in light blue above) with a very short stitch length. I threaded the needle and the bobbin with regular sewing thread that matched my main fabric.


I lined up the edge of the presser foot, with the edge of the seam. The seam allowances were tucked to the left, so they were caught in the stitching as I sewed. The photo on the right shows the fun, final result.

For those who may be curious, this is what the stitching looks like from inside the garment. You may be able to tell from this photo, that the thread colours were selected to help tie in the colours in the contrasting fabric.
Do you have any projects that could be enhanced with this couching technique? With all of the yarn I have stashed in my studio, I may want to bring out the couching foot more often. 🙂