'For the “Offaly Famine Stitch” the women used hessian sacks which were readily available on their farms and were manufactured in Goodbody’s Jute Factory in Clara, Co. Offaly. The women cut the sacks into shapes suitable for cushion covers, table centres and as wall hangings in their white-washed kitchens. They embroidered the sacking with a criss-cross stitch using coloured wool and a darning needle. They created their own designs and often used a daring combination of colours when they were available' - Mary O’Connor, Arts and Culture magazine 2013.

'For the “Offaly Famine Stitch” the women used hessian sacks which were readily available on their farms and were manufactured in Goodbody’s Jute Factory in Clara, Co. Offaly...The women cut the sacks into shapes suitable for cushion covers, table centres and as wall hangings in their white-washed kitchens. They embroidered the sacking with a criss-cross stitch using coloured wool and a darning needle. They created their own designs and often used a daring combination of colours when they were available.' Mary O’Connor, Arts and Culture magazine 2013.