The Mountmellick embroidery stitch is a decorative line stitch made of up little triangle-like stitches that join together like chain stitches. It’s a simple stitch to work, once you get the rhythm of it down, and it’s very pretty. It works well on lines and curves.
The Mountmellick stitch is named after Mountmellick embroidery, a form of whitework originating in Ireland. Mountmellick embroidery is traditionally worked on cotton sateen, a heavier cotton fabric with a nice sheen. The stitches are worked in a matte cotton thread, which contrasts with the sheen of the fabric. What characterizes Mountmellick embroidery, besides the fabric and threads, is the textured nature of the whitework. The motifs are generally taken from nature (leaves, vines, berries, flowers, etc.), and are worked in different types of textured stitches, with a good splash of satin stitching as well. For more information, you can read my previous article on Mountmellick embroidery.
Mountmellick stitch is not relegated just to Mountmellick embroidery, though. It can be used in all kinds of surface embroidery. It looks really nice in crewel work, with wool threads. It can be used to decorate crazy quilt seams. It can be used as a border stitch, and it can even be used for monogramming and the like. It’s one of those versatile stitches that is really fun to play with! In the photo above, I’ve mirrored two lines of Mountmellick stitch to create a decorative band. You could build on that band by adding other stitches to the outside of it, or even along the inside corridor between the two rows.
Mountmellick stitch works well all types of thread.
Here’s the Mountmellick Stitch Video:
Feel free to check out my whole collection of hand embroidery how-to videos here on Needle ‘n Thread!
Hi dear Mary:
Thanks you so much for this wonderful video, really I enjoy each one of them!!
A hug
Maria del Valle
I love it!…I love it a lot! What a great stitch to edge towels or pillowcases with. A new stitch to practice and a new book for the wishlist! Thanks, Mary! – Jeannine
superbe merci
Dear Mary,
What a wonderful stitch to learn. I keep backing up the Video and you make it all seem so easy. Thank you for the Videos I have them on my desk top just to keep them close. Thanks for your work Ive become one of your older students. Eva
Thanks soooo much for doing this.
Hi!! I am new to embroidery, my mother in law has taught me some, but I was so happy to find your instructions!!! I’m sure I will use many many of your stitches in the future!!! Thank You So Much!!!!
Kathy K
I’ve been embroidering for more years than I like to admit, with my current addiction being to Brazilian dimensional embroidery. I love your demos!
Thank you, I have been trying to work the Mountmellick stitch and although I was doing the correct process my stitches looked messy and uneven. Your video has helped me to locate what I have been doing incorrectly. It was very easy to understand, easy to view and now I will go and try again!
Mary thank you SO much for posting these videos! You just cut my work load in half! =)
I refer to your videos as a refresher and to learn new stitches. I thought I knew them all, but then this Mountmellick stitch, which I love, comes along! Thanks so much,
Donna
Mary
This mountmellick stitch is my absolute favorite stitch of all your embroidery stitches. I showed a veteran embroiderer this stitch and she was very excited about the stitch. Posting links back to this stitch and others on my blog. Thanks for posting!
Hi, Mary, Thanks for the incredible instructions. I am 63 and never did embroidery and have learned several stitches with your expert help as I am wanting to do Candlewicking embroidery now and learned Colonial knots and backstitch, stem and outline and now this beautiful mountmellick stitch using heavy crochet thread that I waxed on muslin. I think the thread is 30 as 10 is too small and it works ok but tangles easily. Thanks Again, Dolly in Scottsboro, AL.
I wanted to thank you for all your help and hard work. God bless you.
i feel so glad with your work u r my good teacher
The BEST worked example of this stitch, thank you so much!