This month, RSN Stitch Bank reaches a huge milestone: the launch of its 500th stitch! To celebrate this invaluable free resource, used by stitchers across the globe for inspiration, education, and preservation, we’re adding 25 new stitches on Friday 21 March, each named after places around the world.

These new additions are stitches with geographical connections such as Surrey stitch, created by a member of a Surrey branch of the Women’s Institute, while others reflect the cultural heritage of traditional embroidery styles, like Hungarian braided chain stitch. Some carry an air of mystery, with origins less certain but names steeped in history, like the timeless old Florentine stitch. No matter their origin, each stitch tells a unique story, adding to the rich tapestry of global embroidery traditions.

Mark your calendars to explore the new additions and celebrate this remarkable achievement with us! In the meantime, you can browse the existing 475 stitches here.

Join in the celebration

To mark the occasion, we have created two lovely free templates for you to stitch. Email a picture of your finished work by Monday 17 March to [email protected] to have your work featured on our Instagram and Facebook pages!

Download our star template

Download our flower template

Support RSN Stitch Bank

RSN Stitch Bank is a free resource, that relies on the generous donations of its user to keep it growing and help preserve stitches for future generations to come.

RSN Stitch Bank has been made possible thanks to a number of charitable trusts and many individual donors who have ‘Adopted a Stitch’ for themselves, a friend, group, or loved one. If you would like to support the project and ‘Adopt a Stitch’, find out more here.

Visit RSN Stitch Bank here