This stitch fills a small shape with parallel, close stitches, alternating with slanted couching stitches. As with the Satin Stitch, the edges of the shape will look cleaner if you outline the shape first with Outline Stitches or Split Backstitches. This also will give the shape a raised look.

The length of the couching stitch can vary, from a small Straight Stitch to a longer slanted stitch.