In embroidery couching is a technique in which yarn or other threads are laid across the surface of the ground fabric and fastened in place with straight or more complex stitches in either the same thread or a different thread. The thread may be the same color or a contrasting color. I've used couching before to attach lace, ribbons, and fancy threads, but have usually used just small stitches or the buttonhole stitch. Here are some examples of couching that I worked onto current projects.
