Do you wish to learn a new skill this year and think the art of hand embroidery might be for you?  Try your hand at embroidery with one of our Beginner Courses.

Learn at your Own Pace

We have launched two new Introduction Video Online Courses.  Inspired by the unique RSN Collection, these two courses enable you to start your embroidery journey from home and learn at your own pace with step by step video tuition.

New Video Online Courses inspired by the Collection

Live Online Classes

We run Live Online Classes at different times to suit your schedule.  From a beginner’s class in embroidery to a particular technique, we have a wide choice of classes.  (UK time zone listed below)

Sat 2 & Sun 3 March – Blooming Lovely: Floral Heart (3pm – 8pm)

Sat 20 April – Introduction to Embroidery: Jacobean Leaf  (2.30pm – 8.30pm)

 

View all Day Classes

RSN Experience Class

We partner with stunning venues around the UK to give a truly unique learning experience.

Fri 1 March – Canvaswork Bookmark at the Courtauld Gallery, London  (10am – 4pm)

 

Visit royal-needlework.org.uk for more information on all our courses.

 

The RSN is coming to the USA this year!

In summer 2024, the Royal School of Needlework will be crossing the pond and bringing our International Summer School Stateside!

Join us in July in Lexington, Kentucky, to learn some wonderful embroidery techniques and join your fellow embroidery enthusiasts for one (or several!) of our lovely classes.

Whether you are brand new to stitching or have taken several classes with us, there is a class for you! Learn captivating crewelwork, glorious goldwork, or many more techniques.

Booking is available now with an earlybird discount, so make sure you don’t miss out on this wonderful event!

Browse the full class list here: https://royal-needlework.org.uk/courses/international-summer-school-2024/classes/

Join us for one of two exclusive RSN Experience classes at Windsor Castle in February.

Inspired by the Tester Bed created by the Royal School of Needlework in 1924 for Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House, the stunning Tudor Rose class marks the centenary of the unique royal town house.

Students will also enjoy an intimate private view of the Dolls’ House with a Curator from Royal Collection Trust. This class will be run twice to give as many people the opportunity to join as possible.

Early booking is advised! Book Here.

Did you get a chance to watch the amazing documentary on BBC1 on Boxing Day titled: Charles III: The Coronation Year? The programme went behind the scenes to follow King Charles and Queen Camilla through landmark moments of the first year of their reign, including a visit to our very own Embroidery Studio!

We were delighted to welcome Their Majesties in March 2023 to show our work for the Coronation, and it was wonderful to be able to re-live the magical visit through the documentary. The RSN Embroidery Studio created nine pieces for the Coronation, including Her Majesty’s Robe of Estate and The Anointing Screen. If you missed the programme, you can catch up on BBC iPlayer.

Read more about our work for the Coronation of King Charles III here.

As you may know, the RSN has been working on a new professional embroidery programme to replace the Future Tutors Course. This new course will continue to train students in the traditional techniques which have been taught since the school was founded, while encouraging them to be creative and explore the possibilities of how these techniques can be used in the 21st century.

With a strong emphasis on Art and Design, Teaching Practice and Business Skills, the course will equip our students with the knowledge required to succeed as freelance embroiderers and as Tutors.

Work on this new programme is almost complete, and we look forward to being able to share further details with you very soon. Subscribe to our eNews for future details.

Are you looking to start the New Year with a fulfilling, creative hobby? The RSN Certificate & Diploma in Technical Hand Embroidery Course is an excellent and flexible way to elevate your hand embroidery skills and can be learned from wherever you are in the world.

Meet Jodi Cheng, an RSN Rugby Certificate student from Hong Kong!

‘My journey into hand embroidery began nearly ten years ago. At that time, I was struggling with increasing pressure from my job in Hong Kong as a digital marketer. To find relief from my stressful life, I decided to seek solace in a hobby. Given my fascination with handicraft art, I decided to enroll in an embroidery class, marking the beginning of my embroidery exploration.

During my first embroidery class in Hong Kong, I met my Tutor, who had graduated from the RSN C&D course. Her passion for embroidery skills ignited my curiosity, showing me that embroidery could be something more than a hobby and leading me to further explore the RSN. From the subsequent research I conducted, I began to understand the RSN’s rich heritage. This exploration solidified my aspiration to become a part of the RSN community.

Prior to enrolling in the RSN C&D course, I did not have the chance to take any classes with RSN, as it was not possible to take a class before RSN introduced its online embroidery courses. However, two years ago, my husband and I planned to relocate from Hong Kong to the UK. This move, being one of the biggest decisions in my life, provided me with the opportunity to pursue my dream. To further my embroidery journey, I enrolled in the C&D course at RSN Rugby in September 2022 after attending the C&D open day earlier that year.

My experience with the RSN C&D course is truly fulfilling. Beyond acquiring the art of hand embroidery, I appreciate the warm and inviting atmosphere at RSN Rugby. The professionalism, patience, and passion of my Tutors has been invaluable in creating a conducive learning environment. Interacting with kind and supportive classmates has not only made the journey enjoyable but has also fostered a sense of camaraderie. Making friends and sharing ideas has added significant meaning to my journey.

I am eagerly anticipating learning the Goldwork technique in my current module. Inspired by the Chinese wedding gown, I see similarities between embroidery in Asia and the UK. I am planning to apply the techniques that I have learned from RSN to create a work featuring phoenixes, which are mascots commonly seen in Chinese wedding gowns. I am excited about this project because it is likely to be an interesting fusion of British and Asian culture, aligning with my most cherished memories of my home country, Hong Kong.

Some people say that a piece of embroidery work has its own life and can convey a message. I am deeply touched by such an idea and am learning to share my story with others through my work. During the preparation of my projects in the RSN programme, I attempt to find inspiration from the memories and connections to my hometown.

In the Blackwork project, I chose the image of a young protester as a theme, aiming to convey the courage and determination of Hong Kong people during the social movement of 2019. For the Silk Shading project, I portrayed a Bombay Ceiba flower, reminiscent of the nostalgic view of my old home’s garden in Hong Kong. My use of a sunflower in the Jacobean work project represents my desire for a better future for humanity, as sunflowers symbolise change and hope in the democratic movements in both Hong Kong and Taiwan. Through my embroidery, I wish to share my unique narrative, making each piece a personal and meaningful expression of my experiences.

I strongly recommend the RSN C&D course to those who love embroidery. The entire journey is enjoyable. The course is well structured and organised. While some advanced techniques covered in the course may pose challenges, the professional Tutors offer unwavering support to guide a learner through the progress. The detailed marking scheme also serves as motivation for improvement. Give it a try, and you’ll find the experience to be both rewarding and enjoyable.’

Inspired by Jodi’s story?

Make the first step in your hand embroidery journey, and join one of our upcoming Online Open Days.

Read more about the Certificate & Diploma Course here

Follow Jodi on Instagram here

The RSN  BA (Hons) Degree Programme provides a great way into many industries. From fashion to teaching to textiles, there is a wealth of opportunity available to anyone who is considering joining the course.

Meet our newest member of the RSN Degree team, Fashion Technician Zoe Crush! Read more about her below.

“I am a womenswear designer and pattern cutter. I create collections from a combination of contemporary concept ideas and different time periods to create form-fitting, structured looks through the use of intricate pattern cutting.

I’ve always had an interest in sewing, and that was bolstered through textiles in secondary school, where I first learnt how to use a sewing machine and patterns to turn a flat piece of fabric into something functional. I’ve always been passionate about sharing my knowledge with others, which is why I was a Class Assistant at a local haberdashery for 7 years, starting out as a shop assistant and then moving into helping in both children’s and adult sewing classes and eventually designing and delivering my own classes.

Image Credit: AELTC/Thomas  Lovelock.

My time at university at UCA Epsom was where I fell in love with pattern making and construction, which meant I was able to adapt block patterns to achieve my creative ideas. My graduate collection (completed at home in the first lockdown) was based around tennis, in particular Wimbledon, where I was a ball girl for 2 years. I was lucky enough to be a winner of the ‘A Wimbledon Wish’ competition, where I got to conduct a photoshoot of my graduate collection and have two pieces on isplay in the museum.

Image Credit:  AELTC/Thomas  Lovelock.

I have also worked in the costume industry for a year as a wardrobe assistant. Here I learnt about clothing from different time periods, how to maintain and repair the clothing, along with assisting customers in collating costumes for their productions. Being at the RSN, I am surrounded by creativity that is inspired by traditional techniques that align with my creative process, and I can’t wait to assist the students with their creative ideas.”

If you are interested in learning more about the BA (Hons) Hand Embroidery Degree course, attend an Open Day

Follow Zoe on Instagram

Start the New Year off right and join one of our hand embroidery Day & Evening classes, come along to an Open Day, visit our Special Display, or sign up for an Online Talk this month!

Degree Open Days:

Hampton Court Palace

Wednesday 17 January 2024 (2pm)

Saturday 20 January 2024 (11am)

Wednesday 24 January 2024 (2pm)

 

Online Open Days via Zoom (UK Time)

Friday 12 January 2024 (4pm)

Wednesday 17 January 2024 (6pm)

Friday 26 January 2024 (2pm)

 

Certificate & Diploma Open Days:

Thursday 25 January, Online Via Zoom (1pm)

 

Online Talks:

Whitework: The Versatile Enhancement: Dr Susan Kay-Williams, Wednesday 17 January

RSN Stitch Bank: Exploring the World Directory of Stitches – FREE – Dr Susan Kay-Williams and special guests, Wednesday 24 January

 

Exhibitions:

The Royal School of Needlework & Five Coronations 1902 – 2023 – Special Display: RSN Embroidery Studio, Hampton Court Palace – * EXTENDED until May 2024*

Spaces available:

Talk and Private view:

Wednesday 24 January – 11am

Group Talk and Private view:

Wednesday 24 January – 2pm

Thursday 25 January – 2pm

 

Day & Evening Classes:

Drawing Basics for Beginners: Online, Weekly – from Tuesday 9 January

Technical Tuesday Crewelwork Progression -Term 1: Online, Weekly – from Tuesday 16 January to Tuesday 26 March

Whitework Lovebirds: Online, Weekly – from Wednesday 17 January to Wednesday 7 February

Whitework Wednesdays: Online, Weekly – from Wednesday 17 January to Wednesday 10 April

Colour Theory in Practice: Online, Wednesday 24 January

Introduction to Blackwork: ’Winter Leaf’: Weekly, from Thursday 25 January to Thursday 8 February

Share your passion for stitch and give the gift of needlework this Christmas. We are delighted to announce the launch of a brand new Self-Paced Video Online Course, Introduction to Embroidery – Tulip, which is perfect for beginners to embroidery.

RSN Tutor Sarah de Rousset-Hall gives step by step tuition to create this stunning Tulip design, inspired by a much treasured piece in the RSN’s Collection & Archive. Beginners can complete the course at their own pace and learn a range of essential embroidery stitches, including Stem Stitch, Seeding and French Knots.

Introduce the wonderful world of stitch to a loved one with the Introduction to Embroidery – Tulip. The course costs £55.

Watch the trailer

View all RSN Self-Paced Online Video Courses

We have two very exciting Partnership Classes happening at the RSN in the New Year, at The Holburne Museum, Bath, and at The Cortauld Building, London.

Join RSN Tutor Deborah Wilding at The Holburne Museum, Bath on 6 April for an exciting Partnership Class inspired by a 17th Century Raised Embroidery Panel. The panel is on permanent display at the museum and you will have an opportunity to view this embroidery and many of the museum’s magnificent objects during the day.

Book Here

Also in the New Year, we will be teaching a Canvaswork hand embroidery class evocative of a stunning Floral Back Chair from The Courtauld Gallery’s Bloomsbury Room. The one-day class will be held at the gallery on Friday 1 March, and during the day, students will also be treated to an expert-led view of the Bloomsbury Chair.

Book Here

We are thrilled to launch another 25 stitches on RSN Stitch Bank this December, with an exciting lead up to Christmas that will see one stitch being released every day up to 25 December!

This winter’s release of stitches for RSN Stitch Bank will look back exclusively to the embroidery of the late 16th and early 17th centuries.

For this, the RSN Stitch Bank team has been working with author Jacqui Carey. Her research into the stitches of this period has brought to light stitches that have fallen out of use, as well as different ways of working familiar stitches.

RSN Stitch Bank is the world directory of stitches, and an incredible resource, featuring videos, written instructions, illustrations, and photographs for each stitch. It also includes a history of its use and images of them 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.

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

Browse all of the stitches on RSN Stitch Bank

We are incredibly proud of our three RSN Degree Graduates winners, as well as several other RSN alumni who were finalists in the International Hand & Lock Prize for Embroidery 2023.

The Winners⁠:
⁠
Lizzie Gray

RSN 2023 Graduate Lizzie Gray took first place in the Student Textile Art Category for her piece ‘Inside Out’.

‘Inside and Out’ is a series of five embroidered neck pieces exploring the human condition through the use of anatomical imagery, putting a microscope on the mind, body, and soul connection.

Follow Lizzie on Instagram here.
⁠

Chloe Rogers

RSN 2023 Graduate Chloe Rogers took third place in the Student Fashion Category with her piece ‘Purifying Graffiti’.

Using text as a powerful, unfiltered tool to address social and political issues, ‘Purifying Graffiti’ invites you to take a moment to reflect on your own responsibility towards the climate crisis.

This showstopping full-white look unites craft and sustainability through a contemporary window. Purity achieved through precision.

Follow Chloe on Instagram here

 

Emily Barnett
⁠
RSN 2023 Graduate Emily Barnett was the winner of the Worshipful Company of Broderers Associate Award⁠ for her piece ‘The Chawton House Project’.

The Chawton House Project consists of three hand-embroidered wall panels inspired by the grounds of Chawton House, Hampshire. These embroideries were created in response to the colours and beauty discovered on the grounds by Emily.

Follow Emily on Instagram here

 

Naomi Aindow Clarke

RSN 2020 Degree Graduate Naomi Aindow Clarke was the winner of the Worshipful Company of Gold and Silver Wyre Drawers Associate Award.

Naomi’s piece ‘Grounded’ embodies her experience with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Reflecting on her distorted reality, Naomi uses repetitive, slow-process crafts to enter a flow state.

Follow Naomi on Instagram⁠
⁠

The Finalists:

⁠Fiza Shahid

RSN 2023 Graduate Fiza Shadid was a finalist in the Student Textile Art Category with her piece ‘Hidden Beauty’.

 

Hidden beauty is a depiction of Fiza’s understanding of the Muslim religious garment, the Hijab. This work aims to convey meaning through emotions, emphasising the exploration of spirituality and subconscious through the design, hand embroidery techniques and colour.

Follow Fiza on Instagram

 

Kate Pankhurst

RSN Tutor and former Hand & Lock Prize winner Kate Pankhurst was a finalist in the Open Textile Category for her piece ‘Fancy Free.’

‘Fancy Free’ embodies a symbol ubiquitous throughout religion and spiritual practice. The piece stands for creativity, fertility, good fortune, wisdom, and most of all, freedom.

 

Free of restraint, he swims transcendently through the elements of fire, water, earth, and air. The piece is mostly goldwork, including the rare technique ‘underside couching’, which pays homage to the great ecclesiastic embroiderers in Opus Anglicanum of medieval times.

Follow Kate on Instagram here

 

Chloe Angrave

RSN 2023 Degree Graduate Chloe Angrave was also a finalist in the Student Fashion Category.

‘Oceanic Decay’ examines Chloe’s fascination with sea life. She believes it is important that the fashion industry becomes more sustainable.

 

This body of work presents through embroidery how climate change is affecting the ocean, using new innovative materials as well as repurposed collected ones to create a luxurious, bespoke garment.

Follow Chloe on Instagram here⁠
⁠⁠
Congratulations to everyone on their fantastic achievements, and we can’t wait to see what each and every finalist does next!
⁠
Come along to the next RSN Degree Open Day to see what opportunities could be in store for you. Book here