Summer may be coming to an end, but we have lots of wonderful Day Classes, Online Talks, Exhibitions and more to keep your spirits up as the colder months draw in. See everything going on at the RSN this September below.

 

Events and Exhibitions

The Royal School of Needlework & Five Coronations 1902 – 2023 – RSN Embroidery Studio, Hampton Court Palace – Wednesday 26 July – Thursday 16 November – (selected dates only, new dates coming soon)

Open House Festival – RSN Embroidery Studio, Hampton Court Palace – Saturday 16 September – Sunday 17 September

Fields of EveryWhen featuring the work of RSN Degree Students – Thamesmead Library, London – Open until mid-September

The Gold and Silver Wyre Drawers 400th Anniversary Exhibition – Guildhall Art Gallery, London – Saturday 30 September – Sunday 12 November

 

Online Talks

‘More Secrets from the Grove Book’ – Wednesday 27 September

’The History of English Sampler Making’ – Wednesday 4 October

‘Quilts and Quilted Objects in the RSN Collection’ – Wednesday 25 October

‘Opus Anglicanum – The Finest English Embroidery’ – Wednesday 8 November

‘Inside the RSN Embroidery Studio’ – Wednesday 22 November

‘The Wardrobes of King Henry VIII’s Wives’ – Wednesday 6 December

 

Partnership Classes

Or Nué Brooch inspired by Painted Love: Renaissance Marriage Portraits at the Holburne Museum – Bath, Saturday 23 September

Goldwork Fleur de Lys Brooch inspired by Eton College Collections – Eton College, Saturday 23 September

 

Open Days

Hand Embroidery BA (Hons) Degree Open Day – Hampton Court Palace – Saturday 23 September

Certificate & Diploma Online Open Day – Monday 25 September

 

Day & Evening Classes

An Introduction to Schwalm Embroidery; ‘Tulip’ – Hampton Court Palace, Saturday 9 September – only 2 spaces left

Introduction to Goldwork: ‘William Morris’ – Hampton Court Palace, Sunday 10 September – only 1 space left

Canvas Shading: ‘Echinacea’ – Bristol, weekly from Sunday 10 September

Canvas Shading: ‘Autumn Leaf’ – Online, weekly from Tuesday 12 September

Drawing Basics for Beginners – Online, Wednesday 13 – Tuesday 19 September

Experimental Embroidery – Online, weekly from Wednesday 13 September

Opus Anglicanum with Laid & Couched Work – Online, weekly from Thursday 14 September – only 4 spaces left

Introduction to Embroidered Lettering – Hampton Court Palace, Saturday 16 September

Pattern Darning: ‘Colour Band Sampler’ – Online, Sunday 17 September – only 3 spaces left

Technical Tuesday – Crewelwork – Term 1 – Online, weekly from Tuesday 19 September

Colour Theory in Practice – Online, Wednesday 20 September

Crewelwork Tendrils Cushion; ‘Autumn’ – Online, Wednesday 20 September – Wednesday 4 October

Introduction to Crewelwork: ‘A Wheel of Jacobean Leaves – Hampton Court Palace, Saturday 23 September

Crewelwork with a Touch of Gold: The Ladybird Tree’ – Online, Tuesday 26 September – Tuesday 10 October

 

Future dates for your diary

The Knitting & Stitching Show London – Alexandra Palace, London – Thursday 5 October – Sunday 8 October

The Knitting & Stitching Show Harrogate – Harrogate Convention Centre – 16 – 19 November

We may all be basking in the glorious sunshine, but here at the RSN our thoughts have already turned to the autumn….and..CHRISTMAS!

We have a bumper programme of classes to tempt you with this Autumn/Winter, including some new classes and new RSN Tutors.

We are thrilled to welcome back to our team of Tutors graduate apprentice Emma Broughton, and we are sure that her Walter Crane-inspired Iris will be a hit. We are also welcoming back Liz Tapper, who will be teaching at RSN Bristol and Online.

Tutor Sally Randle, who returned to Australia last year, will be offering classes from her home studio in Brisbane, as well as Online, so that the timings work for our Antipodean enthusiasts.

September heralds the start of another year of Technical Tuesdays in Crewelwork, Blackwork and Goldwork, along with the next outing for the RSN Sampler Series, and this year we will be offering a Goldwork Sampler Series option too!

Legend has it that Christmas in July was first celebrated at a US Summer Camp back in 1933, but here at the RSN, Christmas in July brings new Christmas classes, and the chance to book a class so you can stitch something festive nearer the time.

So, whether you are looking for traditional, contemporary, a long class or short class, or even a Christmas class, there is much to choose from!

See the full list of our upcoming Day & Evening classes here

We are delighted to be teaching at Northern Ireland’s Royal Residence, Hillsborough Castle and Gardens for the first time.

As part of the Linen Biennale 2023, the RSN will be teaching two hand embroidery classes, inspired by royal historic outfits, on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 August, and there are still a few places left on our Coronation Goldwork class if you’d like to join us.

Not only will you be able to immerse yourself in embroidery for the day and learn some wonderful traditional techniques, but you can also enjoy free entry to the glorious gardens at Hillsborough and the recently opened Life Through a Royal Lens exhibition – a unique collection of Royal photography spanning the last 200 years. This exhibition was extremely popular at Kensington Palace last year, displaying some of the most iconic images ever taken of the Royal Family.

Can’t make this class? Sign up to our eNews to ensure you find out about future Partnership Classes coming this autumn.

Book your space here

We are celebrating Christmas early and re-releasing our Festive Christmas Sampler course to ensure you are ready when December comes! This Self-Paced Video Online Course is now available to buy again and it’s sure to get you into the Christmas spirit. This course makes a wonderful festive decoration for your home or a lovely gift for someone special.

Join RSN Tutor Helen McCook who will lead you through all the embroidery steps to create a delightful Christmas banner based on traditional band samplers. In this course you will learn some of the history of band samplers; how to use an embroidery frame and read a stitch chart; a variety of stitches such as half and double scale Cross Stitch, Algerian Eye Stitch, Back Stitch, French Knots, Diagonal Mosaic, Rice Stitch and more; and how to personalise your banner.

Through exclusive videos and step-by-step instructions, you will create your own seasonal sampler, learning all the stitches plus tips for quality results. Work at your own pace, watch these videos as often as you want, chat to other students in the dedicated Facebook group, and stitch along with the exclusive kit.

This RSN course is available exclusively online so that you can learn from the comfort of your home. There are only 150 days until Christmas, so enrol today and get into the festive spirit as you develop your stitching skills.

View a Preview of the Course

Read more about the Festive Christmas Sampler Course

Read more about all the RSN Self-Paced Video Online Embroidery Classes

 

Are you thinking of joining our Certificate & Diploma Course? With booking now open for the entire next academic year, now is the perfect time to sign up and elevate your hand embroidery skills to the next level.

Meet Elizabeth Braun, a recent RSN Certificate in Technical Hand Embroidery Graduate, and learn about her experience taking the course.

“It must be over twenty years since I first ‘met’ the RSN at a The Harrogate Knitting & Stitching Show and bought one of the beautiful kits to stitch for a friend’s wedding.

I had previously done some stitching as a child and teenager, and then took it more seriously in my early thirties when I needed something to keep me sane whilst dealing with chronic health problems.

I was always too far away to attend classes of any sort, so when I read about the Certificate course on a former student’s blog, I never considered it to be something I could aspire to. With the introduction of Online Learning, I was able to enrol in the second cohort of Certificate Online Intensive Jacobean Crewelwork modules with RSN Tutor Heather Lewis.

As we came to the end of the module, the chance to continue as a group came up and we ended up staying together as a class for the entire Certificate programme, taking just 15 months to complete it. Having a set schedule for classes was really helpful to feel motivated, especially when it became more challenging, and to keep moving each project forward without procrastination. Sometimes it was hard to keep up, but even if I was ill, I could gain something useful from the class time.

The Certificate course has changed how I view myself, and I now consider myself a true embroiderer. I’m looking forward to developing my skills further through the Diploma course, especially with more Advanced Goldwork designs.

If you’re thinking of giving the course a try, my advice would be to go for it! It won’t always be easy and sometimes it may even be a really big stretch, but you’ll be helped the whole way and you can achieve what you never thought you could!”

Booking is now available for September enrolment.

Follows Elizabeth’s Instagram

Read more about our Certificate & Diploma Course here

Unleash your imagination with our stunning range of design, drawing and painting equipment and elevate your creativity to new heights.

Dive into the vibrant world of colours with our range of paints, colouring pencils, sketchbooks and more, carefully curated to help breathe life into your artwork.

Whether you are creating new embroidery designs, are a seasoned painter or an aspiring artist, our collection has something for everyone.

 

Design, Painting and Drawing Equipment

Faber-Castell Pencils

Get your hands on a set of these award win 18 Faber-Castell Colour Grip pencils with six special edition sparkle pastel pencils, water-soluble colour, easy-sharpen leads, water-based varnish, and ergonomic triangular barrel with soft raised grip dots.

 

Tombow Watercolour Set

These beautiful Tombow watercolour sets contain a selection of brushes, pens and pencils designed to work together to enable the artist to create stunning watercolour paintings.

Midori Leather Ring Bound Memo/Sketch Book

This dark brown leather covered notepad from Midori is a small yet stylish pad that is perfect for taking notes or sketching. It contains 50 sheets of both smooth white lined paper and plain paper to help bring your creative designs to life.

Shop the full range of equipment here

Sign up to our eNewsletter to get monthly mailings about our product launches

 

Feeling Inspired?

Take one of our upcoming Online and Onsite ‘Design & Drawing’ Day & Evening Classes, to put your creativity into practice and get inspired.

Whether you are looking for a drawing class for beginners, getting to grips with colour theory, or perfecting your Blackwork or Jacobean Crewelwork designs, there’s something for everyone!

Day & Evening Classes 

From a brand new lovely Partnership Class at Hillsborough Castle to lots of International Summer School classes at Hampton Court Palace, August is set to be an exciting month at the RSN.

 

International Summer School Classes at Hampton Court Palace

Exploring Drawing & Sources of Creative Inspiration – Sunday 30 July – Friday 4 August

Coronation Pincushion – Monday 31 July – Friday 4 August

A Blackwork Bookshelf of Stories – Monday 14 August – Thursday 17 August

Colour in Flight: Combining Paint & Stitch – Wednesday 16 August – Saturday 19 August

Whitework Seahorse – Monday 21 August – Thursday 24 August

Embroidered & Embellished Victorian Patchwork – Monday 21 August – Friday 25 August

Goldwork Monogram – Tuesday 22 August – Friday 25 August

 

Partnership Classes

Coronation Gold inspired by The Queen Mother’s Coronation Robe: HRP & Linen Biennale – Hillsborough Castle, Northern Ireland – Friday 25 August

 

Events and Exhibitions

The Royal School of Needlework & Five Coronations 1902 – 2023 –  RSN Embroidery Studio, Hampton Court Palace – Wednesday 26 July – Thursday 16 November

Fields of EveryWhen featuring the work of RSN Degree Students – Thamesmead Library, London – Open until mid September

 

Online Talks

See our Talks On Demand to catch up on past Live Online Talks

 

Future Dates For Your Diary

Open House Festival – RSN Embroidery Studio, Hampton Court Palace – Saturday 16 September – Sunday 17 September

Degree Open Day – Hampton Court Palace – Saturday 23 September

Certificate & Diploma Online Open Day – Monday 25 September

The Gold and Silver Wyre Drawers 400th Anniversary Exhibition – Guildhall Art Gallery, London – Saturday 30 September – Sunday 12 November

The Knitting & Stitching Show London – Alexandra Palace, London – Thursday 5 October – Sunday 8 October

RSN Scotland is thrilled to invite you to a fabulous exhibition celebrating the work of the Certificate & Diploma in Technical Hand Embroidery students who learn at our Scottish satellite at The Glasgow Art Club.

From 20 to 28 July, RSN Scotland will showcase its students Certificate and Diploma work across a variety of hand embroidery techniques. RSN Scotland is proud to promote and extend the art of hand embroidery, which has long been key to Scottish culture and trade, and welcomes students from all over Scotland.

RSN Scotland teaches Day Classes, from introductory classes for those new to hand embroidery right through to advanced classes. Many students who have joined us on Day Classes have then progressed on to the RSN Certificate where they learn the art of hand of hand embroidery through Jacobean Crewelwork, Canvaswork or Blackwork, Silk Shading and Goldwork to the highest technical standard.

The RSN Certificate & Diploma is the most flexible course to suit everyone’s stage in life, whether it’s for your career, something you have always wanted to do but never had the time, or simply to learn a new skill. RSN Scotland teaches the course throughout the year, including the Summer Intensive Programme, in small, friendly groups.

The exhibition is open to the public from 1pm to 5pm on 20 July and from 11am to 5pm thereafter until 28 July (the exhibition is closed on Sunday 23 July). Entry to the exhibition is free and you can access it by ringing the doorbell at The Glasgow Art Club.

For those wanting to know more about the RSN Certificate & Diploma, please come along to our Open Day on Friday 21 July between 11am to 1pm. To register for the Open Day, click here.

The Glasgow Art Club is located at 185 Bath Street, Glasgow, G2 4HU.

Images:

Advanced Silk Shading by RSN Scotland Diploma Student Anne Rowan
Canvaswork by RSN Scotland Diploma Student Elizabeth Barnett
Appliqué by RSN Scotland Diploma Student Lois Martin

 

Our Certificate & Diploma (C&D) and Future Tutor Graduate Exhibition 2023 will take place at Hampton Court Palace, on 4 to 9 July from 11am-4pm.  The Graduates’ beautiful work will be displayed in Apartment 12, an apartment not usually open to visitors.

You will view work completed over the last three years by Future Tutor Graduate Abigail Carter, as well as C&D Graduates from Hampton Court Palace and across our various satellites in Bristol, Rugby, Durham and Glasgow, and those who have been learning Online. The Exhibition will provide an excellent opportunity to view the wonderful Graduate work.

The exhibition will be free of charge. Access is through the East Front Gate. Please inform the Palace Hosts that you are visiting the C&D Exhibition.

If you are interested in joining our C&D course, we will be hosting an Online Open Day on the 25 July. Book here.

C&D Exhibition at RSN Scotland

There will be an exhibition of work by RSN Certificate & Diploma students based at our Glasgow venue, The Glasgow Art Club on 20 – 28 July. From 1pm on 20 July the exhibition will be open to the public. Thereafter it will be open each day from 11am to 5pm but closed on Sunday. A wide variety of embroidery techniques will be on display and there will be opportunities to talk to current students about their work.

The exhibition will be free of charge. It will be open to anyone who wishes to attend within the hours given.

On Friday 21 July between 11am to 1pm there will also be an Open Day for anyone interested in attending embroidery classes offered by the RSN in Glasgow. To register for the Open Day, click here.

Are you interested in taking a class or course in hand embroidery? For more information about the courses we offer, click here.

Images:

⁠Goldwork Insects by Hampton Court Palace Diploma Graduate Jane Peel ⁠
Canvaswork House by Online Certificate Graduate Elizabeth Braun ⁠
Canvaswork Feathers by Online Certificate Graduate Rebecca Warrington ⁠
Appliqué Warrior Skiier by Hampton Court Palace Diploma Graduate Karin Glass ⁠

We are delighted to be teaching at Northern Ireland’s royal residence, Hillsborough Castle and Gardens for the first time.  As part of the Linen Biennale 2023, the RSN will be teaching two hand embroidery classes, inspired by royal historic outfits, on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 August.

You can choose to learn Goldwork – the traditional technique used in Coronation Robes – and embroider a design inspired by the 1937 Coronation Robe of Estate worn by Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, consort of King George VI.   Alternatively, you can stitch a beautiful foliage design of leaves and berries, inspired by a Georgian waistcoat from the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection at Historic Royal Palaces.

Not only will students be able to immerse themselves in embroidery for the day and learn these wonderful traditional techniques, but they will also enjoy free entry to the glorious gardens at Hillsborough and the recently opened Life Through a Royal Lens exhibition – a unique collection of Royal photography spanning the last 200 years.

Each class costs £160 and runs from 10am – 4pm.  Entry to the gardens and photography exhibition at Hillsborough Castle are included in the class cost.   To book your place on the RSN Class, please visit our website.

The Royal School of Needlework has embroidered several pieces for the Royal Family including for the Coronation of King Charles III and the wedding dress of Kate Middleton, now HRH The Princess of Wales.

Join the RSN at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens

Hillsborough Castle is the official residence in Northern Ireland of the British monarch and other members of the British royal family when they visit the region.  It is located in the village of Royal Hillsborough in the north-west of County Down.  www.hrp.org.uk

The Linen Biennale Northern Ireland is an initiative of R-Space Gallery, Lisburn. It presents a full programme of events, initiatives, and community outreach running from August – October that celebrate the heritage, and future of linen and flax on this Island. The 2023 Biennale is supported through The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Full program and further information: www.linenbiennalenorthernireland.com

 

The RSN is known for many things, one of which being the iconic ‘Wall of Wool’. The Studio Embroiderers use this huge wool selection for colour reference to find the perfect shade match when working on conservation commissions. The vast collection is housed in a large wooden ‘pigeon-hole’ grid covering an entire wall and sets a beautiful, eye-catching backdrop for the Studio team.

Over the years we have welcomed many famous faces and they all want their photo taken against this impressive backdrop to prove that they have visited the RSN Embroidery Studio at Hampton Court Palace!

New RSN Inspired Products

RSN ‘Wall of Wool’ Jigsaw Puzzle

Treat yourself to this fun Jigsaw puzzle, displaying the iconic ‘Wall of Wool’! The RSN ‘Wall of Wool’ square-box 1000-piece Jigsaw puzzle makes the perfect gift for those looking for a challenge, with this colourful one-of-a-kind image.

RSN ‘Wall of Wool’ Notebook

Coming soon to the RSN Shop is this beautiful and luxurious ‘Wall of Wool’ notebook. Combining high-quality production with a vibrant image, the crafted cover is printed on foil, embossed and then foil stamped, with plain paper inside.

RSN Collection 2024 Wall Calendar

Available in the RSN Shop is this stunning calendar for 2024, showcasing some of the treasures from the unique RSN Collection. Informative text accompanies each image and the date pad features previous and next month’s views.

*Shop all RSN gifts*

Our timetable is bursting full this month, with wonderful classes from our International Summer School, Partnership Classes, Graduate Exhibitions and much more!

 

Exhibitions:

The Royal School of Needlework & Five Coronations 1902 – 2023 – Hampton Court Palace – Wednesday 26 July – Thursday 16 November

C&D and Future Tutor Graduates 2023 Exhibition – Hampton Court Palace – 4 to 9 July – 11am to 4pm.

RSN Scotland C&D Exhibition – The Glasgow Art Club – 20 – 28 July – 11am-5pm.

 

Online International Summer School Classes:

Forget Me Knot Card – Friday 21 – Saturday 22 July

Heath and Harebells – Monday 17 – Friday 21 July

Metalwork & Beadwork: ‘Peace and Plenty’ – Wednesday 19 – Friday 21 July

Butterfly Garden – Wednesday 26 – Friday 28 July

Ecclesiastical Embroidery: ‘Design and Stitch a Stole’ – Monday 17 July — Tuesday 1 August

Bunny in a Magic Forest -Tuesday 25 – Thursday 27 July

*Please note: If you are living overseas and wish to book any of our Online International Summer School Classes, please contact [email protected] first to ensure your kit will arrive in time for the class.*

 

The Glasgow Art Club Onsite International Summer School Classes:

Art Noveau Sprig – Monday 24 – Wednesday 26 July

Jacobean Crewelwork ‘Flower and Bee’ – Thursday 27 – Friday 28 July

 

Hampton Court Palace Onsite International Summer School Classes:

Exploring Drawing & Sources of Creative Inspiration  – Sunday 30 July – Friday 4 August

Coronation Pincushion – Monday 31 July – Friday 4 August

A Blackwork Bookshelf of Stories – Monday 14 – Thursday 17 August

Colour in Flight: Combining Paint & Stitch – Wednesday 16 – Saturday 19 August

Whitework Seahorse –  Monday 21 – Thursday 24 August

Embroidered & Embellished Victorian Patchwork  – Monday 21 – Friday 15 August

Goldwork Monogram – Tuesday 22 — Friday 25 August

 

Day Classes:

Blackwork Box – Hampton Court Palace – Monday 3  – Wednesday 5 July

Experimental Beading – Hampton Court Palace – Sunday 9 July

Crewelwork ‘Myrtle Blossom’ – Hampton Court Palace – Tuesday 11 – Thursday 13 July

Introduction to Hardanger: ‘A Sampler of Stitches’ – Hampton Court Palace – Friday 14 – Sunday

16 July

 

Partnership Classes:

Coronation Gold Shamrock and Acorn inspired by The Queen Mother’s Coronation Robe – D-Day Story Museum, Portsmouth – Saturday 15 July

 

Online Talks:

A History of Coronation Dress: Caroline de Guitaut in conversation with Dr Susan Kay-Williams – Thursday 27 July

 

Open Days:

RSN Scotland C&D Open Day – The Glasgow Art Club – Friday 21 July

Certificate & Diploma Online Open Day – Tuesday 25 July

 

Future Dates For Your Diary:

Open House London – RSN Embroidery Studio, Hampton Court Palace – Saturday 16 – Sunday 17 September

The Gold and Silver Wyre Drawers 400th anniversary exhibition – Guildhall Art Gallery, London – Saturday 30 September – Sunday 12 November

Degree Open Day – Saturday 23 September