Book tour – Mountmellick Embroidery

Some people go on a book tour when they release a new book. I’ve never done this, but I thought I could instead take you on a tour of some of my books. I know that some of you have been along for the ride since the beginning but some of you are newer to my books and may not be aware of particularly some of the earlier ones. You are all most welcome to join me on my book tour!

Our previous stop on the book tour was the French language versions of “Portuguese Whitework” and “Sardinian Knotted Embroidery”. Today we will take a tour of Mountmellick Embroidery: Inspired by Nature by Yvette Stanton and Prue Scott.

I wrote this book with my twin sister, Prue Scott, who is an embroiderer, embroidery designer and botanical artist. As Mountmellick embroidery is an embroidery with plant motifs, it seemed appropriate to ask her to do it with me.

Mountmellick embroidery comes from the town of Mountmellick in Ireland, and is a floral whitework embroidery with lots of texture. It features a distinctive knitted fringe, and is worked in completely matt cotton thread on heavy cotton satin jean fabric. The motifs are lifesize or larger. We’re not talking about dainty needlework here – it’s big and bold!

As well as the step-by-step embroidery stitch instructions and knitting instructions, there are 17 needlework projects in the book, ranging from small to large, some with lots of embroidery and some with not so much.

Here’s what some people have said about “Mountmellick Embroidery: Inspired by Nature”:

“It’s one of the most comprehensive embroidery books that I have ever bought. It is absolutely beautiful and so full of information. It will make it a lot easier for me to master Mountmellick.” V, Tasmania, Australia

“This book begins with a fascinating history of Mountmellick embroidery in which the authors share their discoveries and observations of historic examples of this technique found during their research. After outlining fabric and thread requirements there is a collection of all the stitches used to build up Mountmellick motifs with clear, detailed instructions on how to work each one. The projects are varied as Mountmellick can be used for many applications as it is robust and, being all white, can be hot washed. There are traditional projects such as doilies and mats as well as contemporary applications such as bolsters and lampshades.

The book comes complete with full size pull out patterns for easy tracing of the larger designs and there are instructions on how to create the traditional knitted fringes that accompany Mountmellick work. It is the perfect place for beginners to start yet with plenty of detail and substantial designs for more experienced embroiderers.” Mary Hickmott’s New Stitches

Because the fabric and threads used for this embroidery are quite unusual, Vetty Creations stocks a full range of Mountmellick embroidery supplies, including the matt cotton thread, cotton satin jean (and polycotton satin jean for those wanting an alternative), knitting cotton, and the embroidery needles required.

If the pattern and texture of this beautiful style of embroidery delight you as much as they delight me, maybe it’s time to try Mountmellick embroidery! You can purchase Mountmellick Embroidery: Inspired by Nature by Yvette Stanton from Vetty Creations or from your favourite needlework retailer.