Author: Sparkle
Date: 10-29-07 11:20
Well, much better, now, thanks! When I first started I had only ever seen *1* actual piece but I had lots of books and the stitches aren't that difficult - it's pretty much like regular embroidery with a few more textural type stitches and knots thrown in.
But - this is the funny part - I had the scale ALL WRONG!!! LOL!! I was doing the usual rather small, somewhat dainty designs like you do in regular embroidery but all inwhite. Last July my OD and I went up to DC to the Smithsonian fair where they had the most lovely lady - Mabel Bodie - who was doing all sorts of Irish needlework. She had bunches of examples of Mountmellick and it is huge - big, fat almost coarse work, very thick and lumpy. If you have a mat embellished with Mountmellick it would be strictly for decorative use, you could never set anything on it because it would tip over.
My visit with Mabel was quite nice - I had a little private lesson in some of the stitches and then knitting the lace, too - right there on the mall in front of the Smithsonian castle. So now I know what it is really supposed to look like, I have the proper threads and fabrics from Yvette Stanton in Australia and also some things from Mabel. I've finished the little mat Mabel gave me and have a couple other smallish things started. But you should've seen all of the samples Mabel brought! OMYGAWSH!! She had Limerick and Carrickmack (I know I spelled that wrong) lace and tried to show me the difference, lots of very dainty, delicate shadow work, just a huge assortment of all types and techniques of needlework.
The other featured country was the Mekong Delta - they had incredible weavers and embroiderers as well but the language barrier was huge. Lots to see, tho! And quilts from Virginia.
I was really interested in it because it looked like something I could do - and I can, it's quite easy - and it's Irish, as am I and I really like all sorts of whitework - and this is probably the easiest!
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