Coming up this summer we will be running a series of classes for just one week in both Lancaster and Dublin.

We are heading to Lancaster 15–22 June to teach at The Story – one of the most recognisable buildings in the city.   We will be teaching four classes, offering a range of techniques for different levels including an Introduction to Embroidery Needlecase; Silk Shaded Viola and Silverwork Sheep Heat Bag for all abilities and a two day Intermediate Surface Stitch & Goldwork class to make a Beetle Lavender Bag.

We will also be teaching in Dublin 6–12 July.  RSN Tutor Kate Barlow will be running a series of one day classes for all levels, from Introduction to Blackwork and Crewelwork for beginners to Raised Embroidery Cupcake and 17th Century Silk Dog Rose for the more experienced stitcher.

View all forthcoming Day Classes

Wedding season is fast approaching and our Embroidery Studio has been busy repairing and cleaning heirloom wedding veils. Our expert team also embroider new wedding items including veils, dresses, shoes and even ring cushions to truly personalise your special day.

With wedding season around the corner and their Royal Highnesses William and Kate celebrating their 8^th wedding anniversary (the couple married on 29 April 2011), we thought there is no better time to remember the stunning wedding outfit of Kate Middleton created by our Embroidery Studio team.

Working with Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen, our skilled embroiderers created the bespoke lace on Kate’s wedding dress, veil and shoes.  The lace design and process was influenced by traditional Carrickmacross lace which originated in Ireland in the 1820s.  Carrickmacross lace uses an embroidery technique called Appliqué and the lace is worked by applying organdy fabric to a delicate net background and edging each motif with fine cord-like thread.  Sarah Burton sourced a series of lace motifs to create a unique design, applied by the RSN and arranged to fit each part of the dress perfectly following her creative vision.  Each lace motif (some as small as a 5 pence piece) was applied with minute stitches every two to three millimetres.

One of the hallmarks of the RSN is that the embroiderers can work collectively on a project yet it will look like the work of one person. The team for this project comprised RSN Studio Stitchers, Tutors, Graduates and advanced students.  Hands were washed every 30 minutes to keep the lace and threads pristine; needles were renewed every 3 hours and only short lengths of thread were used, each no longer than 30cm. Also, to maintain an even appearance, no securing knots were used and it was important that the back of the work looked as neat as the front, another RSN hallmark.

The RSN Embroidery Studio works on large and small commissions, so whether you would like a simple personalised monogram on your wedding dress or for it be covered with embroidery and embellishment, our expert team can bring your vision to life.

For more details contact: [email protected] or call +44 (0) 20 3166 6940.

Spend the day stitching and enjoying the latest exhibition at a museum near you!  We have a few spaces left on our classes running at the D-Day Story in Portsmouth and the Fashion Museum Bath.

Students not only get to stitch a special embroidery design inspired by the exhibitions but they also have the opportunity to visit it too.

On Friday 24 May you can attend a Blackwork class at the D-Day Story. The D-Day Story is the only museum in the UK dedicated to the allied landings in June 1944 (codenamed ‘Operation Overlord’) and features the unique 272 feet ‘Overlord Embroidery’ which was created by the Royal School of Needlework.  The Blackwork design is a wartime image of searchlights and Mulberry harbours inspired by the Overlord Embroidery. The class is suitable for all levels including beginners. Click here for more details and to book.

Coming up in June, we have two classes at the Fashion Museum Bath. Each class features a design based on a clothing piece in the Museum’s exhibition ‘A History of Fashion in 100 Objects’.  Join the Blackwork class on Saturday 1 June based on a shirt dating from 1580-1600 or the Goldwork class on Saturday 15 June inspired by a woman’s waistcoat from around 1615. Classes are for suitable for all levels.  Find out more about the Fashion Museum classes and book here.

In our February eNews, we announced news of a Korean Fashion project by our Second Year Degree Students.  We are delighted to be able to share their wonderful creations which went on display recently at the Stanley Picker Gallery in Kingston upon Thames, near London.

The project was a collaboration between the Royal School of Needlework and Kingston University BA Fashion with the Hanbok Advancement Centre. Representatives from the Hanbok Centre in Seoul visited the RSN and delivered engaging theory lectures and specialist skills workshops to our students.  The Hanbok Advancement Centre also provided fabrics and workbooks for the students and performed a Hanbok Bridal Ceremony.

Angie Wyman: “We were delighted to be part of this exciting collaboration to share and exchange ideas. Stitch is truly a universal language that holds no boundaries and a wonderful way to learn different cultures and ideas.”

The exhibition will travel to Seoul at the end of the year.

More information on our Degree Course

Attend the Graduate Degree Show

Attend an Open Day to find out more about the Degree Course