I've also seen it done the Ricky Timm's way. He marks the design on his "stable stuff" interfacing and pins that to the back side of the quilt top (before the quilt is sandwiched). Then he uses the thick thread in the bobbin while following the design lines on the top. The stable stuff stays in the quilt. Now, when he sandwiches the quilt, he can add regular quilting to secure the layers while the thick thread features the fancy design.

I prefer to couch also. I seem to get the same effect with a lot less work. My Bernina has a couching foot that makes couching really easy.

Just in case anyone is interested, I just got my Threads magazine for November 2016 (no idea why I'm getting the November magazine in August) and it has an extensive article on bobbin work. I haven't read it yet, but it looks really good.

Guess this is why I haven't seen it on the newstands yet. Thanks for the heads-up. I should have realized... it's been one of those kinds of weeks.

Perhaps a couching would work better for a long arm machine. You use a couching or ribbon/beading foot and feed the yard or ribbon through the opening and do a zig zag to attach it on the top.

I just went back and read the thread. I guess we all had the same idea. LOL!

LA only do straight stitch. That said, HQ does have a "couching" foot that is designed for doing this work but the operator has to go over the heavy thread/ribbon/yarn with a straight stitch and invisible thread. The foot and maintaining the feed of the yarn through the foot helps to keep those straight stitches on the decorative yarn/thread/ribbon

Innova does have a couching adaptor but it is VERY expensive (like thousands) and it somehow manipulates the stitch to do a true couch (zig zag) so those of us not willing to spend the $$ for the very expensive adaptor must resort to hand couching or bobbin work.

I don't know what the other manufacturers offer and bobbin work is somewhat universal to all machines, no special feet or expensive adaptors required.

I found an older post in the archives of Thread magazine about bobbin work, and am really fascinated now.

I've come to the conclusion that I had better try it on my DSM first (with the "Specialty Bobbin Case" for my machine) and see how I like it before I try to progress to the longarm.