Mountmellick threads

Every now and again I post about Mountmellick threads. When people are wanting to try Mountmellick embroidery, they often come to me for supplies. You wouldn’t think that would be so strange, seeing I’ve written a book on the subject. However, I’m not sure that’s what draws them to my website. Sometimes, I think it is because I sell coton a broder.

And then I have to set about the process of educating them that coton a broder is not the right thread to use for Mountmellick embroidery. Sure, it is white, and it isn’t very shiny, especially not compared to perle cotton. However, it is not the thread to use for Mountmellick embroidery.

Mountmellick embroidery thread is supposed to be completely matt. That is, it has NO SHINE. None. Zip. Zero. Coton a broder does have shine. Not much, but it is there.

Once upon a time I too wondered if coton a broder would be suitable to use for Mountmellick embroidery. When I went to Mountmellick in Ireland to research the style in preparation for writing our book “Mountmellick Embroidery: Inspired by Nature”, it’s what I took with me to work a small sample. I thought it would be ok.

When the ladies in Mountmellick saw that that is what I was using, they were aghast! “You can’t use that – it is too shiny!” And so they told me where I could get the proper thread.

I now stock that thread (and have for many years). It was developed in the UK in conjunction with one of Ireland’s premier Mountmellick embroidery teachers. It was developed specifically for use in Mountmellick embroidery. Therefore it has NO SHINE. 🙂

If you too would like to use the correct thread for Mountmellick embroidery, not coton a broder, not perle cotton, then you can find it at the Vetty Creations website. As I guide, I usually use mostly No 3 Mountmellick thread, which is the middle weight thread. You can read an article I wrote about the different weights here.

If you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to ask. I once thought it would be ok to use coton a broder too, so I’m happy to help you further along the path to realising that there are much better, more suitable products to use.

And if you want coton a broder for some other type of embroidery, as a bonus, I have it too. 🙂