Adventures in Whitework: Mountmellick Stitch

Hi all - floresita here to introduce our first new blogger on Feeling Stitchy - Michelle! On her blog, Mooshie Stitch, Michelle does some amazing, detailed stitch work with Take a Stitch Tuesday stitches and other talented projects. We are very thrilled to have her here at Feeling Stitchy with her first Mooshie Stitch Monday post - tune in every other Monday to hear from her! Welcome, Michelle!

First of all, I just want to say that I am so excited for my first post on Feeling Stitchy! :)

Welcome to the beginning of my adventures with whitework embroidery! I am a total newbie. Whitework has always intrigued and intimidated me. Especially cut work and drawn thread work.

When I was reading about different techniques, I came across Mountmellick whitework. The Mountmellick style - named after the town Mountmellick in Ireland - focuses on creating texture using many traditional stitches (including stem, buttonhole, satin, and french knots). It is typically stitched on cotton fabric with sheen and matte cotton threads.

Since I was already familiar with some of the stitches used, I decided to focus on learning Mountmellick.

There are three stitches unique to Mountmellick: the Mountmellick Stitch, Mountmellick Thorn Stitch, and Cable Plait Stitch.

Let's start with the Mountmellick Stitch. I found this great video tutorial on the Needle n' Thread website.

It was easier for me to keep the stitch even by drawing lines as a guide.

To practice some whitework stitching, I decided to start with a very small floral pattern.

It is a portion of this free pattern I found on Needle n' Thread. (She has so many free patterns!!)

Here is the finished project.

Stitched with: french knots, stem, satin and Mountmellick stitch.

I did not follow the "rules" of stitching on sheen fabric with matte cotton. I used regular DMC floss (Blanc) and a tea towel. Although, I wish I used different fabric. I was stitching very tight - which I tend to do and need to work on - so there are holes in the fabric from my pulling the stitches too tight. Oh well! It's a learning process!

I am happy with my first little whitework project! :)

Next time: I will tackle Mountmellick Thorn Stitch.

Do you have any advice for someone new to whitework?? I would love to hear from you - leave a comment! Are you currently stitching some whitework also? 

Post your project photos in the Feeling Stitchy Embroidery Group on Flickr!