In professional needlework using a floor stand or frame, the stitcher keeps one hand above the fabric and the other below. The underhand receives the needle from the top hand, pulls the thread taut, and pushes the needle back up. This two-handed method dramatically increases stitching speed and tension consistency, especially in haute couture beading and tambour embroidery.
Keep your underhand steady and let your top hand guide the hook when you're doing tambour work on organza.
Related terms
Couch down
To secure a thick yarn or decorative thread to a fabric surface using small, perpendicular stitches.
Couching
An embroidery technique where decorative threads are laid on the fabric surface and tacked in place.
Blackwork
A form of counted-thread embroidery traditionally done with black silk on white linen.