To celebrate the Autumnal Equinox, On Friday 22 September we released another 25 stitches to the RSN Stitch Bank, which totals up to 400 stitches!

Some of these new stitches include the Jessica Stitch, the Diaper Couching Stitch, the Block Trellis Stitch and many more.

RSN Stitch Bank is an incredible resource, featuring videos, written instructions, illustrations and photographs for each stitch. It also includes history of its use and images of the stitch on items from the RSN Textile Collection.

RSN Stitch Bank is available online via the website rsnstitchbank.org and is a unique resource for all stitchers, teachers, curators, historians, researchers and students. Stitchers are able to find a new stitch to use in a project and learn how to work it. Researchers, curators, historians and students can use the site to learn about the use, structure and history of each stitch, in a range of embroidery techniques, and to identify individual stitches on a textile

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’, visit royal-needlework.org.uk for more information.

Visit rsnstitchbank.org to see the full RSN Stitch Bank.

Join us this month for more fascinating Live Online Talks, and a range of exciting events and exhibitions. 

 

Events and Exhibitions

The Royal School of Needlework & Five Coronations 1902 – 2023 – RSN Embroidery Studio, Hampton Court Palace – October 2023 – May 2024 – NEW dates added

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

Decorex Interior Trade Show – Sunday 8 – Wednesday 11 October

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

 

Online Talks

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

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

 

Degree Open days

Online – Friday 13 October 2023

Hampton Court Palace – Saturday 21 October 2023

 

Future dates for your diary

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

Certificate & Diploma Online Information Session – Online – Tuesday 28 November 2023

We are delighted to continue our partnership with Royal Collection Trust with an exclusive hand embroidery class inspired by the acclaimed exhibition, ‘Style & Society: Dressing the Georgians’ at the Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace, on 5 October.

The event will begin with a highlights tour of the exhibition, led by Deputy Surveyor of the King’s Pictures, which will include the magnificent portrait of Queen Charlotte by Thomas Gainsborough, which inspired the delicate motif that you will stitch.

During the class, you will learn a variety of techniques, including Whitework, Goldwork and Appliqué, to create this stunning golden rose motif.

This class is suitable for all abilities, and your kit will include everything you require to complete the project after the class.

See class details here

September marks the beginning of the RSN’s programme to catalogue and digitise its extensive collection and archive. The RSN has in its collection textiles spanning multiple continents and more than a thousand years. Its archive includes important documents from its founding in 1872 to today. Together, the collection and archive include many thousands of items.

The digitisation project is being led by the Royal School of Needlework’s Curator, Isabella Rosner, and its Archivist, Emily Mitchell. The pair will photograph the RSN’s holdings and thoroughly catalogue each item. Catalogue entries will then go online so that the public can virtually access items like past RSN registers and collection items ranging from seventeenth-century embroidered panels to embroidery worked at the RSN’s Training School. The majority of objects in the RSN’s collection and archive have never been shared publicly or studied in depth.

The digitisation project will begin with 100 items chosen by the RSN Staff, Studio, and Tutors. These items represent the breadth of the RSN’s collection and archive and will be available on the collection website by the end of 2023. Items will continue to be added to the website regularly for the next few years. Keep an eye out for new website entries and monthly blog posts about items we’re cataloguing!

We are looking for a small number of On-site and Virtual volunteers to help us with our digitisation. If you are interested in getting involved, please see our vacancies here. Our call for volunteers closes on Monday 25 September 25, 2023. Make sure to follow our new Royal Needlework Collection Instagram, where we will be posting photos of the digitisation process, and we look forward to sharing the RSN’s collection and archive with the world!

We are incredibly proud to have three RSN Degree Graduates selected for The Métiers d’Art Embroidery Fellowship, a 24-week programme with CHANEL & The Prince’s Foundation Métiers d’Art Fellowship in Partnership with Le19M.

This specialist postgraduate-level programme provides students with intensive training opportunities in the field of embroidery for Haute Couture and the Luxury Fashion Industry.

The Experience

Towards the end of January, the programme began with a weeklong trip to Paris for Ecole Lesage level 1 and 2 training to learn the main embroidery skills used in Haute Couture.

The students then arrived at Highgrove Gardens to gather inspiration from the beautiful surroundings and receive their brief: to create a hand-embroidered piece that demonstrates a high level of technical skills, inspired by Highgrove Gardens.

A second trip to Paris then occurred for an Atelier immersion week, as well as the students finalising the brief to create a clear concept and creating a range of samples. The final stage required students to produce final concepts guided by expert tutors and advice from their assigned mentors, with samples produced to go in an exhibition.

 

Elsa’s Experience:

‘This experience has made my skills much more refined. I’m much more confident as an embroiderer and know where I sit in the fashion industry. I’ve also made friends with the other people on the course, and we all got along very well during the course. I had pictures taken of my work and received advice for my portfolio. The main thing I got out of this experience was a great portfolio ready to step into the fashion industry and Haute Couture.’

Follow Elsa on Instagram

 

Durga’s Experience:

‘The whole journey of the course has changed me; I have become more confident in myself as a hand embroiderer, and my techniques have become more refined and polished. I had never thought I would get an amazing opportunity like this programme, getting to work in the ateliers and meeting people from industry who know who I am and have seen my work. I’ve always known colour was my unique selling point, but being on this course has made me embrace it even more.’

Follow Durga on Instagram

 

Eliza’s Experience:

‘I feel extremely grateful to have been given the opportunity to be part of The Métiers d’Art Partnership, Embroidery programme. It was an intensive educational and skill-building experience, and I feel privileged to have met and been mentored by highly skilled creative professionals from CHANEL, The Prince’s Foundation and Le19M. The industry contacts I have acquired will benefit me greatly when seeking potential employment opportunities in the next chapter of my embroidery journey.’

Follow Eliza on Instagram

 

The RSN would like to congratulate Elsa, Durga, and Eliza on their participation in such a special experience, and we cannot wait to see what they achieve next.

 Read more of our RSN Graduate success stories here.

Are you interested in learning more about the skills and opportunities available when doing an Undergraduate Degree in Hand Embroidery? Join us at Hampton Court Palace on our next open day!

Images Credits: Ana Clark

Join us this autumn for more fascinating lectures about hand embroidery and our amazing collection of objects.

RSN Chief Executive, Dr Susan Kay-Williams, will uncover more secrets from our prized Grove Book in September and discuss Opus Anglicanum in November.

In October, we’ll introduce you to our wonderful new RSN Curator, Isabella Rosner, who will be examining both the history of English sampler making and quilts and quilted objects in the RSN Collection.

Further talks include exclusive insight into our acclaimed Embroidery Studio and an exploration of the extravagant wardrobes of King Henry VIII’s wives with historian Eleri Lynn.

Please join us to discover more about embroidery and textiles and discover why we’ve been the international centre of excellence for the Art of Hand Embroidery for 150 years.

Missed one of our Online Talks? Catch up On Demand now.

We will be opening the Royal School of Needlework’s doors at Hampton Court Palace as part of this September’s Open House Festival, on 16 and 17 September. Come along and see behind the scenes of our Embroidery Studios, not usually open to Palace visitors.

Entry is free from 10am to 4.30pm (last entry is at 4pm). Please enter the Royal School of Needlework Embroidery Studios through the RSN Shop, which can be accessed via Hampton Court Palace’s East Front Gate. You can gain access through the Palace gardens which are free to enter over the weekend.

We will also be giving free Tours of our Education Rooms at 11am and 2pm, although places for this must be booked in advance. Tickets for these tours can be booked through the Open House Festival website and places are limited to 20 people per Tour. Please meet outside the RSN Shop 15 minutes before your scheduled Tour.

There are over 800 buildings, walks, talks and tours in the Open House Festival programme, including the Palace gardens, so why not make a day of it!

See our event during the Open House Festival here.

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

Meet Adriàn Quinones, an Online RSN certificate student who is taking the course from his home in Lima, Peru.

‘Before the pandemic, I had no experience with hand embroidery. Then, during lockdown, I asked myself what I could do to spend my time in a fun and relaxing way. I looked at many options but felt a deep need to find an activity in which I could use both my hands and brain.

I started with an Online embroidery course, learning Silk Shading. The experience was very enjoyable, and since I am a very curious person, I started practicing the basic embroidery stitches every day. I used what little I knew and did my first design alone by copying a painting by Renoir and Van Gogh.

Over time, I then dedicated myself to exploring and researching everything related to hand embroidery by practicing a lot with patterns from books or searching on the internet.

I didn’t know anything about the RSN to begin with, but whilst researching the best embroidery schools, I came across the RSN. Over time, I began to take the Online C&D course, starting with Crewelwork, Goldwork, Silk shading and then finally the Goldwork Silk shading course. I hope to be able to complete all the Online modules one day because, for me, they are very useful as an introduction to the different techniques.

After two years of self-learning, I decided to increase my experience and knowledge in order to be able to teach in the future with a broader knowledge of embroidery and feel more secure and comfortable with my skills as an embroiderer. Those were the reasons why I started my first certificate and hoped little by little to complete the process until I reached the Diploma.

My experience since the first day has been very pleasant and interesting. Each day of classes, I have learned a lot through getting to know my Tutors, who are a great source of inspiration and knowledge. It is always difficult when starting something new, but with hope, practice, patience, and love, you can achieve all your goals.

Each technique is a universe of knowledge that leads to exploring different ways of seeing and recreating reality or exploring your unconscious. Over time, I have been experimenting more with Silk shading, Goldwork (a technique that I adore), Appliqué, Opus Anglicanum and Crewelwork.

I am learning embroidery at the RSN because of the school’s long history of teaching, great quality of Tutors and worldwide prestige. If you feel passionate about embroidery, want to explore your skills, learn different techniques with great Tutors and grow as a person, do not hesitate to take the Certificate & Diploma course.’

Follow Adriàn on Instagram

If you are interested in join our certificate & Diploma Online Course, Booking is now available for September enrolment!

Read more about our Certificate & Diploma Course here

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