The RSN’s Future Tutors Programme (FTP) is a three-year, full time course specifically designed for those wanting a career in teaching hand embroidery to the highest technical level, and students are based at Hampton Court Palace.

RSN Future Tutor Student, Kristina Clarke from Leeds in Yorkshire, is currently in her second year and shares her journey from being an RSN Certificate student to learning to become an RSN Tutor.

“I found out about the RSN Future Tutors Programme after embarking on the RSN Certificate course at the RSN Durham satellite studio with the brilliant and inspiring Tracy Franklin and Pippa Foulds. Pippa had recently done the FTP when we first met and so we had talked about it as I was at that time looking for a new direction in my career.

I’d always wanted to do something more creative than being a veterinary nurse, which isn’t that creative. I turn to creative pastimes with the increasing pressures and mental health crisis surrounding my industry so knitting, sewing and embroidery were always my go-to for a mindfulness activity. So many of us live very stressful lives, and I’ve been a trainer and tutor throughout my career so guiding and teaching others in a creative pastime always appealed to me and to help people find that embroidery can help their own mental health too is very much part of my goal.

After a lot of thought, I applied for the course and was accepted, so started a weekly commute to London. I’m lucky because I have family nearby in surrounding counties, but also stay over near Hampton Court Palace some weeks when I need to be close to the school. It’s not been easy, but I’ve created a manageable routine, and I love learning new techniques and creating projects, so the course has allowed me to expand my knowledge and develop my abilities in embroidery to a level I thought not possible before. Something that helps me feel that it’s worth all the effort I put in!

My favourite technique has always been Goldwork, but I also love working with crewelwork wools and surface stitch embroidery. I don’t feel like I have a set style as such, so many of the techniques we learn are on another level that I’ve not explored before. I’m looking forward to time in the future when I can play and experiment with what I’ve learned, we don’t have much time throughout the course as we are learning the technical stitch. It’s a very challenging and time-consuming course so the priority is learning the technical skill first and foremost.

Upon graduation, I hope to develop and grow in confidence as a Tutor initially, and gain confidence and experience in teaching technique. I would love to create my own kits to introduce others to embroidery and show them the benefits of such creative pastimes. Anyone can create a small decorative item, no matter how simple, and to feel pride in what they’ve achieved and the calm that meditative stitching can bring.”

Follow Kristina’s teaching journey through her Instagram account