Mats (M1 to M4)

M1 Mat, Ayrshire fragments from Edinburgh shop E. W. Thomson, three via Mrs Marjorie Thomson of Berwick-on- Tweed, (see also H2), originally Mrs Harris. Early 19 C embroidery fragments with later insertions of hand lace from bonnets.

M2 Two old pieces with central insertions, one with material, one with filling, possibly Carrickmacross or Limerick lace. Two modern, smaller by Mrs Bryson; larger by Eithne Johnston, student (see Ayrshire Needlework, Acknowledgments, p 7).

M3

  1. Oval mat, Sylko, Mrs Bryson’s own design with Ayrshire type fillings;
    Royal Highland Show entry late 1950/early 1960s.
    Marked start of Mrs Bryson’s interest in Ayrshire work: “If this isn’t Ayrshire work, then what is it? and what is Ayrshire work?”
  2. Initial B appears in Ayrshire Needlework, p 109, Fig 105.

M4 14” x 11”, two mats made by Mrs Bryson. Ayrshire work “not made for table linen” but someone produced a table cloth. cf comments in Ayrshire Needlework, p 10. Eight techniques for Embroiderers’ Guild competition in 1970s, two mats in each; two panels, buttonhole bars/loops, very fine sprigs and fillings and oval eyelets.