Free-motion Couching with Adjustable Ruler Foot #72 and Couching Inserts

Couching_Inserts

I love embellishing my quilting by adding free-motion couching to the surface of my work. The Couching Inserts that are specially made for the BERNINA Adjustable Ruler Foot #72 are perfect for this, because there are 3 different sizes of couching inserts that snap into the bottom of the foot. The openings in the inserts are 2.2 mm, 1.8 mm and 1.4 mm, allowing the use of a wide variety of cords and yarns.

Couching_Inserts_Supplies

Supplies for Embellishment with Free-motion Couching

  • Silk Fabric: 7 fat eighths of silk fabric
  • Backing: one fat quarter
  • Lightweight fusible interfacing such as Easy Knit: 2 yards
  • #70 Microtex needle
  • 50 wt Aurifil Thread
  • BERNINA 570 QE
  • Patchwork Foot #97/97D
  • Adjustable Ruler Foot #72
  • Couching Inserts for Foot #72 (I used the 1.4 mm insert)
  • Couching Yarn (Yarn shown is a DK weight) and Thread for couching

Instructions for Embellishment with Free-motion Couching

Fuse the silks with the Easy Knit Interfacing following the manufacturer’s instructions.

Couching_Inserts_Fuse_Interfacing

Refer to the diagram for placement of sizes.

Couching_Inserts_Diagram

Refer to the photo for color placement.

Couching_Inserts_Color_Placement

Cut top and bottom borders 2 1/2” x 18 1/2″ of two different colored silks.

Cut four strips 2 1/2” x 12 1/2″.

Cut four strips 2 1/2″ x 6 1/2″.

Cut 6 pieces 4 1/2″ x 3 1/2″ of two different colored silks.

Begin by seaming the 4 1/2″ x 3 1/2″ pieces together in pairs.

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Press the seams to one side and place back down into the layout. Pick up the strips in pairs and seam together. Press and lay back in place.

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Seam the strips to the double wide pairs and press.

Couching_Inserts_Full_Strips

Seam the three center strips together.

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Seam the top and bottom borders to the center.

Layer the backing, batting and the pieced top. Spray or pin baste.

Couching_Inserts_Basting

Choose the couching insert that will work with the yarn or cord you have selected. Snap the insert into the bottom of Adjustable Ruler Foot #72.

BERNINA Couching Foot #72 inserts

couching insert attached to Foot #72

Turn the adjustable dial to raise the soul to the highest position.

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Load the foot with the yarn and place the foot back on the machine.

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Use the adjustable dial on the foot to lower sole to the proper height.

Free-motion stitch an all-over design on the top letting the yarn follow the foot.

Couching_Inserts_All_Over_Design

Don’t forget to add a little interest by changing the design when the opportunity arises.

Couching_Inserts_Add_Variety

Cut 2 1/4″ strips of left over silk. Use a variety of colors. Stitch end to end until you have a total of 80 inches of binding. Fold in half lengthwise with wrong sides together. Bind the project using your favorite binding technique and enjoy your creation.

For more information about couching, download this eBook.

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6 comments on “Free-motion Couching with Adjustable Ruler Foot #72 and Couching Inserts”

    • The Free Motion Couching foot #43, which is the clear foot, is a great couching foot. However it has only one size opening, 2mm, therefore it is more limiting than the set of three inserts with the 1.4mm, 1.8mm and 2.2mm openings.

  • quiltshopgal2015 I love the clear couching foot, bought it when I saw the demo on this site. I use a wool or a DMC Cotton perle thread (which you can get in several different thicknesses) the best thing about this foot is that the thread feeds through the side of the foot and ensures it feeds well under the needle. With the thread feeding down into the central hole of the foot without any guidance, you will need to make sure the needle is getting it every stitch with an uninterrupted feeding of the thread. I guess that is why there is a v shaped notch in the edge of the metal rim. I will have to get the inserts and see which is best. I had a very good result on the clear one when I first used it to outline the coastline of a map.

    • I have been using the 1.4mm insert with threads that I use for bobbin work. I have found what you said is very true. If the thread is not ahead of the needle it does not catch it. Did you ever get the inserts and did you find any solutions?

      Thanks

  • Yes, both couching foot may be used on the Q24. As far as needles, that depends on the thread you are using to couch with and has very little to do with what you are couching down. I like to use a 90 Jeans needle on my Q24 for most threads.

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