Mountmellick Work: Irish White Embroidery by Jane Houston-Almqvist

Mountmellick Work: Irish White Embroidery (A Survey and Manual with full-size patterns) by Jane Houston-Almqvist

White-on-white embroidery in various forms has been practiced in Ireland for several centuries. Mountmellick work is probably the best known style of Irish white embroidery and is named after the town where the craft was developed in the early decades of the nineteenth century. The craft declined in the early years of the present century, but the old paper patterns, many in extremely fragile condition, were preserved by local enthusiasts and by the devoted sisters of the Mountmellick convent who continued to work the designs. Jane Houston-Almqvist has had access to these original patterns in preparing her book which not only tells the story of the craft, but is a practical manual with many full-size patterns based on the originals. This book will be a welcome addition to the collections of both lovers and practitioners of fine needlecraft.

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