Well, I have come up with a design for our Mountmellick embroidery stitch along. It is lilies – I’m in a lilies frame of mind at the moment! I just think lilies can be quite exquisite, and they provide a nice amount of scope for embroidering both petals and leaves.
I know its rather obscured by the copyright note (!) but that’s for my own protection.
I think you can get a reasonable idea of how it looks though. I imagine that you could use this design in several ways: centrally on a cushion, over to one side on a cushion, on a bellpull, centrally around a bolster cushion, on a bag, or two together at their bases with one rotated 180 degrees to make a long runner.
The design is about 25cm long (10 inches). It is really important that it is used at FULL size, rather than being shrunk to fit a smaller area. This is because Mountmellick embroidery should be big and bold, and never small and dainty. If it was small and dainty then it wouldn’t be Mountmellick embroidery.
So the plan at this stage is: to start the Mountmellick embroidery stitch along at or near the beginning of July. You’ll need to get a copy of the design from me – I haven’t decided how to do this just yet. You’ll also need to purchase the authentic fabric and threads to use for the project, and I will probably put together some kits for this. You will also need some reference material from which to learn the stitches if they are not already familiar to you (this is a stitch along, not a class). I recommend Mountmellick Embroidery: Inspired by Nature or The Left-Handed Embroiderer’s Companion (if you are left-handed). Some of the stitches we will be using cannot be found on the internet – I will warn you of that now, so that it doesn’t catch you by surprise! 🙂
For further information about the stitch along, you can read the previous posts.
I hope you decide to join us!
White Threads is the blog of Yvette Stanton, the author, designer, publisher behind Vetty Creations' quality needlework books and embroidery products.
Stunning design. A cushion is my first choise. I’ll collect my supplies so I will know if I need to order anything.
Thanks so much
Shay
Hi Yvette,
Really like your choice of design. Lilies are so elegant. It will be inspiring to stitch. Like Shay, I see it (finished) as a lovely cushion. As soon as you have the kits ready, I will order.
Thanks, again, for this opportunity to do a Mountmellick SAL!
Sharon
I’m really looking forward to stitching it too!
I need to work out how much thread to supply, so as soon as that is done, I’ll organise the kits and put them up for purchase.
I doubt I will manage to join in – I’ve just looked at my pile of half-finished projects! – but I will watch with interest and maybe have a go in a year or so!
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It’s a lovely design Yvette. I’m not sure how I’d like to use the piece, I’ll have to ponder that one.
I would like to find out more about the details and possible kits costs. I own a yahoo group focused on teaching needlearts and we have several members interested in learning Mountmellick. I am not asking that you teach or provide lessons, I will take care of that. However, we have women with limited incomes and the cost of supplies are is of consideration. DO you have a definite project in mind that you would be providing the appropriate supplies for in the kit you will be selling? Could they purchase their own supplies if given a list ahead of time? We have a Stash Angel Program that we can usually rely on to help them get what they need if it is an unusual or hard to find stash item. Please contact me off line if you feel the need to know more about Stitchmap. I think this SAL could be the answer we are looking for to meet the request of some of our members.
Hi Shari, Yes, there is a specific project in mind – it is the design shown. People can make it into whatever they wish. I have suggested a cushion, a table runner (with the design repeated, one rotated 180 degrees, with the two bases together), a doily, etc. I’ll probably make mine into a cushion.
I will be making up kits with material, and thread (and embroidery needles?? do people want needles included?), from which you could make either the cushion or the runner (or something else a similar size). I am working on this as quickly as I can, but have not yet got the details of the kit together yet. It takes time to work these things out, and I’m also trying to get ready for a big craft show that I will be exhibiting at.
The plan is that the kits will be available as soon as I can – hopefully within the week – and then I can start getting them out to people. Then we’ll probably getting started around the beginning of July.
That’s about as much information that I can give you at the moment, but I’m doing my best to get the kits ready as soon as possible. 🙂
Montmellick is something I’ve wanted to try properly for a while now. I love the design and covet doing this stitch-along.
But then I look at the pile of stitching I have to get done, and the stack of unfinished projects that I promised myself I’d work on in the between-times, and think… er….
I’m looking forward to information about the kit. It might just push me over the edge! 🙂
Hi Yvette – love the design – if I haven’t got the right threads in my stash, I’ll make sure to get the correct ones as it does make all the difference. I am keen to make a nightdress case so might adapt the design to the pattern in the Mountmellick book.
Regards
Yvette,
If possible, please include needles in the kit, too.
Thank you. – Sharon
Thanks Sharon. Good to have some feedback on that. 🙂
The lily looks like a lovely design and I hope to join the project. I am in Canada so will need post time for a mail out.
Thanks for this lovely stitch along. I have your Mountmellick books and I would like to participate but I don´t have the fabric and threads. Do you send these items to Europe? (I live in Portugal)or should i contact a store in europe?
I would like to know either wich threads will be used (you have several threads with different thicknesses)
LuÃsa
Hi Luisa, I’d love for you to join us in the Mountmellick embroidery stitch-along.
I am currently preparing the design, and working out how much of the fabric and threads that will be needed. I plan to release a kit in good time so that they can be sent all over the world (including to Portugal!) before we start. The plan is to get going towards the end of July, meaning that I’ll need to get the kits ready for purchase in the next week or so. I will be posting about it as soon as I have the details ready. So stay tuned!