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What Mountmellick is not

Sometimes, people who have never seen Mountmellick embroidery before have some trouble understanding what makes Mountmellick embroidery distinctively its own style. I know I did, when I first started learning about it!

Because Mountmellick embroidery is a traditional style of embroidery, by studying historical examples, we can come to an understanding of what it really [...]

SAL: things for finishing

If you’re doing the cushion, you’ll need a couple of extra bits to make it up. Firstly, you’ll need access to a sewing machine, unless you’re hard core and don’t mind doing it by hand(!). White machine sewing thread will be helpful.

You will also need a cushion insert to stuff the cushion with. You can [...]

SAL: filling the petals with spots

Today we are heading back to our very first flower, in this Mountmellick embroidery stitch along. My intention was always to put some filling in these petals. If we remember the photos of the lilies that I had right near the beginning of the stitch along, you may have noticed that lilies often have some [...]

Cable plait stitch and plaited braid stitch

What’s the difference between cable plait stitch and plaited braid stitch?

cable plait stitch

This is cable plait stitch. It is the stitch used in Mountmellick embroidery. It is a reasonably simple stitch, with only a few steps. Also known as figure of eight stitch to the ladies of Mountmellick, because that’s what each stitch looks [...]

SAL: next pair of leaves

Back to the Mountmellick embroidery stitch along today, where we are moving on to the pair of leaves above the main lily flower.

Straight away my mind said “it needs to be satin stitch”. This is the classic way to work a leaf like this, with the wide outline worked in satin stitch. I would like [...]

SAL: tracing the pattern

Welcome to the Mountmellick embroidery stitch along! Even if you have decided not to stitch along with us, I’m glad that you’re following along. I welcome all questions. Just because I understand my reasoning for doing certain things doesn’t mean that you do! So please ask questions and make comments.

The first thing we need to [...]

Mountmellick thread

In preparation for our Mountmellick embroidery stitch along, starting in about a week, I thought I might direct you back to an old post on Mountmellick thread. Mountmellick thread IS different to work with compared to other thread, and the post explains a bit about it.

Mountmellick stitch along starting soon

Just a reminder that we will be starting the Mountmellick embroidery stitch along in about 10 days time, on 20th July. If you haven’t already got your supplies or your pattern to join us, you’ll need to do it as soon as possible. If you don’t get yours in time to start with us on [...]

Mountmellick embroidery in Ireland

A little while ago, Angelina from Ireland commented on one of the posts on this blog. She told us that she and the ICA group that she is part of, are currently learning Mountmellick embroidery in Ireland. I was so interested that I asked her to share some more with me and all you lovely [...]

Popular at the Vetty Creations stand

So, what was popular at the Vetty Creations stand at the Sydney Craft and Quilt Show last week? I’ve already mentioned how “hot” Mountmellick embroidery was, with so many people stopping to admire the display and ask what type of embroidery it was. A common refrain was, “is that candlewicking?”

Mountmellick embroidery wildflower cushion kit

The [...]