Mountmellick Embroidery
Beauty From the Peasants of Ireland

 MountMellick is a form of white work, but with no open or drawn spaces. "The stitches are planned to lie on the surface of the material with as little thread as possible beneath. . . providing a sense of 'stitchery in relief'.

     "The embroidery is bold and coarse . . . but has a quality of great charm and achievement. This embroidery is a peasant work of Ireland and takes its name from the town of Mountmellick in Leinster, where it was originated by a lady member of the Society of Friends, who taught it to the poor folk as a means of livelihood. It is used for mats, table cloths, cushions, bedspreads, curtains and other household articles.

     "Realism is the aim . . . no conventionalized forms are used."

     The material used is anything coarse, even linen drill. Threads are also coarse, soft cotton, with an even coarser cotton for the padded work. Stitches common to the techniques are long bullions, padded satin, French knots, knotted chain, cable plait, and a host of others used to make combinations unique to this artform. The traditional work is done on cotton satin jean,

which has a soft sheen, and the stitches executed with matte knitting cottons. This helps to create the contrast of the work.  

  Quoted statements excerpted from Mary Thomas Embroidery Book. Similar explanations appear in Weldon's Encylcopedia and Weldon's Practical Guide to Fancy Work.     It currently is enjoying a slight resurgence in New Zealand and parts of Australia.

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