Beaded blackberry doily

When I was at the craft show back in June, I met a lovely lady called Alison. She was quite interested in Mountmellick embroidery and wanted to give it a go. Her project of choice was my “Blackberry Doily” from our book “Mountmellick Embroidery: Inspired by Nature”.

Alison isn’t normally an embroiderer as such, more an embroidery beader. She’s been doing it for years, and her teacher is Karen Torrisi, who is a lovely girl I met a few years back when we shared an apartment as tutors at Beating Around the Bush.

Anyway, Alison embarked on the blackberry doily, but eventually decided she’d feel more comfortable reinterpreting my pattern into bead embroidery. On Sunday she sent me some photos of the finished work. It is magnificent!

Alison has allowed me to share the photos with you. The work is ALL beaded, except for the fringe, which is the traditional Mountmellick knitted fringe. I think you will agree that the work is simply stunning, and a lovely interpretation of a Mountmellick embroidery design. Congratulations Alison!

If this is something that interests you, do try to find a class with Karen Torrisi. I know I’d love to do one of her classes one day. All the embroidery beading I have done, I have loved!

Alison, thank you so much for sharing your beautiful work with us!