Ocean Waves: Beginning with the Border

Before I go too far in describing the stitching on Ocean Waves, I’d like to thank Judy Souliotis, for graciously granting me permission to share my progress of her lovely design here.

In starting to stitch Ocean Waves, I was looking forward to learning the advanced techniques in the center wave motif. I was surprised when, with the very first stitches, I was learning something already. I discovered how elegant a simple couched border could be.

Isn’t it gorgeous in its simplicity? This is just two strands of Japanese red-gold metallic thread couched with black Kreinik #4 braid, using a plain ol’ cross stitch. The next time I have a piece that just needs a little something, I’ll have to remember this.

Of course, this isn’t the entire border. There are several additional rows of Japanese metallic, also couched in various stitches using black Kreinik. After a few more rows are added outside the first, the simple beginning becomes a bit more complex, but no less elegant.

Have you ever used couched threads as a border on a project? What threads did you use? How did it turn out?