An embroidery technique that can be used either to create an outline or to fill in.
For outline couching one or more lengths of yarn or thread are laid across the work following the outline, these are held in place with small stitches made across the threads at regular intervals to secure the yarn or threads to the backing.
For filling in the yarn or threads are laid on the surface in a trellis pattern, contained within the figure. The threads are sewn to the backing where they cross.
The holding stitches may be in the same material and colour, but are as often contrasting as toning.
The type of threads or yarns, the intervals for the holding stitches and the density of filling depend on the scale of pattern and the subject matter.