News Archives

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

Our next season of Online Talks are now available to book! We have a number of interesting and unique topics coming up over the next few weeks, so be sure to book your place so you don’t miss out.

A Mantle, Canopies, Robes and endless Chairs: RSN and Coronations of the 20th Century – Wednesday 10 May

To celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III, RSN Chief Executive, Dr Susan Kay-Williams, will be giving an Online Talk on Wednesday 10 May on the RSN’s work on past Coronations, referenced by what remains in our Archive that we are still discovering today. This talk will give fantastic insight into samplers, souvenirs, and many more items worked on by the RSN from Coronations going back to 1902.

Textile Collections of Canterbury Cathedral – Wednesday 14 June

In this very special talk, Canterbury Cathedral Manager of the Archives and Library, Cressida Williams, and Canterbury Cathedral Book and Paper Conservation Manager Ariane Langreder, will be exploring the objects in the Archives of Canterbury Cathedral, ranging from medieval textiles retrieved from an archbishop’s tomb to frontals still used for covering altars, to church kneelers.

The talk will also include the jupon of Edward, the Black Prince (died 1376), which was conserved by the RSN in the 1950s, as well as a discussion on the challenges of caring for textiles in a working church, and case studies of recent conservation projects.

Embroidered Flowers – Wednesday 28 June

RSN Senior Lecturer in Contextual Studies, Amy Hare, will be back exploring the significance and appeal of floral designs for embroiderers throughout the centuries. This talk will examine historic pieces in the RSN Collection, discussing how flowers have also been deployed as a form of visual language in many different cultural traditions of embroidery and how their temporary beauty can be captured forever in stitch.

Partnership Classes

16th Century Splendour inspired by The Darnley Jewel in partnership with Royal Collection Trust at the Palace of Holyroodhouse – Saturday 13 May

We are thrilled to teach a very exciting class at Holyroodhouse Palace in Edinburgh, Scotland, in partnership with the Royal Collection Trust. This class will by taught by RSN Tutor Helen McCook, and is inspired by the Darnley Jewel, a beautiful jewel commissioned by the parents of Mary Queen of Scots’ husband.

As well as stitching this beautiful design, the class will include a view of the Darnley Jewel itself, as well as other objects on display at the palace.

Starburst at St Albans Cathedral – Saturday 3 June

We’re delighted to announce a brand new event partnership with St Albans Cathedral that includes this exciting hand embroidery class on Saturday 3 June.

This stunning Starburst design will be taught by RSN Tutor, Sonja Galsworthy. During the day you will learn the stitches needed to complete this contemporary ‘Starburst’ design. The class is suitable for all abilities, and will cover many traditional stitches techniques.

As part of the day, you will also have a chance to visit the Threads Through Creation exhibition created and designed by Devon-based artist, Jacqui Parkinson, as well as entrance to the Cathedral, and an opportunity to hear the City of London Chamber Choir on their visit to St Albans Cathedral.

See our list of classes

Book classes

As we head towards summer and the outdoors bursts into life why not take a class inspired by nature in all its glory. Whether you want to learn to draw or embroider something floral there are plenty of opportunities both online and onsite and, with the International Summer School approaching there are even more options open to you!

Take the chance to brush up on your drawing skills with Caroline Homfray and choose from a day of Drawing Flowers at Hampton Court, with its stunning floral backdrops to take inspiration from, or gather your own floral inspiration and take the class online. If you are fascinated by the many statues scattered around the gardens, there is also an opportunity to learn how to draw figures and drapery in a day dedicated to figures and folds.

Caroline is returning as part of the International Summer School with a 5 day course Exploring Drawing & Sources of Creative Inspiration whilst Helen Richman will be skilfully showing you how you can combine paint and stitch with birds at the centre in her 4 day course.

Sarah de Rousset Hall’s Koi Pond is an ideal Introduction to Embroidery and perhaps as you wander round the gardens, you will see a beautiful Koi swimming slowly around the water features. Natalie Rowe has taken her inspiration from some of our beautiful native wildflowers with an opportunity to stitch either the Arrowhead or Elderberry. Nicola Jarvis makes a welcome return with her 3-day Crewelwork Master Class Myrtle Blossom inspired by a painting by Mary Gemmell from the RSN Collection.

The International Summer School also offers opportunities online and onsite to explore nature through different techniques, with a Whitework Seahorse, Crewelwork Flower & Bee, Silk Shading & Stumpwork Heath and Harebells and a Gold & Silk Briar Rose among the classes on offer.

We look forward to bringing you closer to nature through one of our many nature-inspired classes this summer.

Browse the full list of our classes for this summer

Some time ago we are were contacted about a sampler that a lady started in 1953 with a coronation theme. The lady suffered a personal trauma and the piece was left unfinished. One of our tutors was going to finish it as a voluntary act but, alas, her circumstances have changed and she can no longer do this.

The owner of the piece who is related to the original lady but is not a stitcher, has agreed to pay for the threads if someone can finish it. She does not have the funds to pay for the Studio to do it. I know this is not what we normally do but I am asking if there are any volunteers out there who would agree to help finish it (perhaps a few people to do part each)? If you are interested in helping please contact Gillian Williams on [email protected]. This is a one-off but your help would be appreciated.

A donation given in a Will can be many times larger than that which people can give in their lifetime and the effect of it can be terrific. The RSN has just been notified of a new legacy gift from a longstanding Life Friend. She has left us 5% of the residue of her estate. We do not yet know how much that will be but if the estate included a house then that would certainly be more than a person could give in their lifetime.

The RSN has received many different percentages from 5 per cent to 100 per cent and the amounts differed greatly, but each one has been truly appreciated and we put it to the best use at the time. The benefit of a percentage is that you do not have to think about the actual amount. It is just in proportion.

Some legacy gifts are specified for education, but most are left open because the time between writing the will and it coming to fruition may be many years and the titles of programmes may have changed, so to avoid difficulties for your executors, it is easiest to leave it to the RSN to decide on how it will be used.

Through a legacy your name will live on and will forever be remembered by the RSN. We talk about those who have given legacy gifts to the RSN with great affection because it really makes a difference to us, knowing that people have supported our work in this way.

Legacies so far have helped us to start programmes, finalise programmes, underpin premises hire, and continue to support students through bursaries and course costs every year. If you would like to be part of the future of hand embroidery and invest in future RSN programmes and students then leaving a legacy in your will is a great way to do this.

We would always advise taking professional advice to make a will that will effectively represent your wishes, with no loop holes, but this need not be very expensive and some firms will waive the costs if they will be the executors of the will when it comes to be acted upon.

If you do include the RSN in your bequests, do let us know as we will be inviting benefactors to events in the future.

Thank you.

If you would like to find out more about leaving a legacy, please click here.

The RSN was thrilled to be able to offer a brand new day class celebrating the magnificent grounds of Hampton Court Palace in the form of a sampler. RSN Studio Embroiderer Masako Newton designed and taught the class, with RSN Tutor Nao Nagamura, in Japanese.

We welcomed attendees from as far away as Tokyo as well as UK Japanese residents who were all happy to be able to stitch their own memento of the Palace and their time at the RSN.

If you didn’t manage to secure a place on the class this time we are running it again as part of the 2023 International Summer School and this time we will also be offering the class in English as well as Japanese.

Lucy May joined the RSN Future Tutors Programme in September 2022. The Future Tutors Programme is a three-year full time course specifically designed for those wanting a career in teaching hand embroidery to the highest technical level; students are based at Hampton Court Palace, south west London.

Lucy is from Wellingborough in Northamptonshire, where she lives with her husband and two children. Lucy says:

“I have a degree in Fashion Design and have worked in the fashion industry in various guises for the last twenty years – starting out in buying and merchandising then moving into footwear design, going on to run my own boutique and most recently teaching.

When I discovered the RSN’s Future Tutors Programme, I knew this was the next step I wanted to take in my career, one that would increase my needlework skills to the highest possible level and enable me to pass this invaluable knowledge on to others.

Studying in the stunning setting of Hampton Court Palace is a joy and so far we have studied Jacobean Crewelwork, Canvas Stitches and Botanical Silk Shading. All have been challenging and involved very intense learning curves but I think my favourite so far has been Jacobean with its rich history and opportunity for freedom of creativity within the design brief.

When I have classes at the RSN, I drive down, which can take anything up to three hours plus (thanks M25!) and, when I need to, I stay overnight in an Air BnB. I must admit I do find this tiring but I am getting used to it!

Dedicating myself exclusively to embroidery, as I am at the moment at the RSN, means that I am only just beginning to discover my own signature style but the work I have created so far has a definite illustrative quality with an emphasis on bold contrasts and vibrant colours, which I think is testament to my fashion design background.

I have been sewing since around the age of eight when my mum taught me to sew, she has a rebellious side and my inspirations since have invariably had a subversive streak – from iconic fashion designer Vivienne Westwood, who’s recent death is such a huge loss to the creative world, to Holly Searle aka The Subversive Stitcher. These women are an important reminder that the needle is a very powerful tool indeed and I consider myself truly blessed to have the opportunity to study at the Royal School of Needlework.”

We look forward to seeing how Lucy’s signature style develops and to sharing more of her work with you soon.

You can follow Lucy on Instagram.

The Certificate & Diploma in Technical Hand Embroidery (C&D) is the most flexible course, which is taught Online as well as Onsite, at Hampton Court Palace, south west London, Bristol, Rugby, Durham and Glasgow, and internationally in Fredericksburg USA, in the spring and fall, and Japan.

For the Online Classes, we have introduced an Online Jacobean Crewelwork module so that all new students start together which has resulted in several of them continuing and completing the other techniques, making new friends from all across the world.

For the Onsite Classes, students can start at any time during the academic year, and we have announced the dates of the C&D Summer Intensive Programme which allows students, who are busy during term time, to complete one technique over two weeks, in July and August.

Angela Anderson, who graduated from the RSN Certificate last year, explains her student journey.

“I was thrilled to attain merit for the RSN Certificate in 2022 after starting the course at the beginning of 2019, having seen adverts in stitch magazines.

Stitching has been with me since the age of seven and I wanted to learn to a good standard. I completed the Crewelwork and Silk Shading modules during the Summer Intensives at Hampton Court Palace. I absolutely loved stitching at the Palace, having the advantage of face-to-face engagement and learning on consecutive days with lots of homework each night. I met like-minded people from different parts of the world with whom I am still very good friends.

My other two Certificate pieces, Canvaswork and Goldwork, were taught extremely well Online, with the advantage of taking the class at home. Goldwork became my favourite technique because I could see the design coming together quickly using different metal threads to give shine and form.

My RSN journey continues onto the RSN Diploma with Blackwork, a slow but rewarding piece that requires a lot of thought. This was another Summer Intensive in 2022 with two friends from the Jacobean module.

I thoroughly enjoy stitching and learning each technique because there are varying differences of manipulating threads within my own design. Currently, I am stitching examples of Pulled and Drawn Whitework and am really looking forward to stitching this technique.”

The dates for all the C&D Summer Intensive sessions are below and show where spaces are available. We have a limited number of spaces remaining, so please book early to avoid disappointment.

Summer Intensive Dates

If you would like to join us for one of our Summer Intensives, we have listed the dates below. If you are new to the Certificate course, start with the Jacobean Crewelwork Summer Intensive, however if you are already studying C&D and would like to do an intensive course for your next module, we also run them in Canvas Stitches/Blackwork; Silk Shading; Goldwork and the Diploma techniques.

RSN Hampton Court Palace
• Jacobean Crewelwork Summer Intensive: Mon 26 June to Fri 7 July
• Diploma techniques: Mon 26 June to Fri 7 July
• Canvas Stitches/Blackwork Summer Intensive: Mon 10 July to Fri 21 July
• Silk Shading Summer Intensive: Mon 24 July to Fri 4 August
• Goldwork Summer Intensive: Mon 7 August to Fri 18 August

RSN Durham
• Spring Intensive: Mon 24 to Thurs 28 April Only 1 space left
• Summer Intensive: Tues 4 to Fri 7 July; Tues 11 to Fri 14 July

RSN Scotland
• Summer Intensive: Mon 19 to Thurs 22 June; Mon 26 to Thurs 29 June Only 2 spaces left

If you are interested in a remaining place or would like to put your name on a waiting list please contact: [email protected]

Find out more about the Certificate & Diploma Course to attend our next Online Open Day at 1pm on Tuesday 6 June. Register here.

The RSN is thrilled to return to the Artisan Fayre which will take place at Hampton Court Palace East Front Gardens from 12 to 14 May – a great family day out to look forward to during the warmer months!

The RSN will teach a 90 minute workshop every day of the Artisan Fayre. The workshops will take place in our learning studios which are part of the original grace in favour Palace apartments, not usually accessible to visitors.

We will teach this striking black and gold design to celebrate our 150^th Anniversary Year, inspired by an original hand drawn illustration by Selwyn Image (1849-1930) from our extensive archive.

You will learn a variety of surface stitches and beginners’ Goldwork techniques. This is an opportunity to learn stem, trellis and chain stitch along with couched gold metal thread and spangles. Goldwork is synonymous with both Royalty and Ecclesiastical vestments and is just one of the many techniques the RSN is famous for.

The 90 minute workshop will take place from 11.30am-1pm every day and is £30, including the kit…with only eight places per day you must book early! Booking for the workshops is through the RSN website:

Friday 12 May at 11.30am-1pm

Saturday 13 May, 11.30am-1pm

Sunday 14 May, 11.30am-1pm

Please note that, to attend the RSN workshop, you must buy an entry ticket to the Artisan Fayre or show your Historic Royal Palaces membership card.

See you there!

If you would like to further explore a technique this summer, join our International Summer School this July and August either onsite at Hampton Court Palace, south west London, or at The Glasgow Art Club, Scotland.

We have announced the summer dates for our Certificate & Diploma in Technical Hand Embroidery Summer Intensive Programme. You can learn one or more Certificate and Diploma techniques during July and August at Hampton Court Palace, Durham and Glasgow.

The Summer Intensives teach one technique over two weeks, which can be ‘intensive’ (hence the name!) but also very achievable if students follow their Tutor’s guidance and manage their time effectively.

We will welcome students from across the world. Michel Gerards, from Holland, started the Certificate Summer Intensive at Hampton Court Palace last July, with the first technique, Jacobean Crewelwork and will return this summer for her next module, Blackwork.

“Growing up in Holland, I can’t remember a time when I did not have some sort of fiber art project on the go. I have always knitted, crochet, cross-stitched beautiful patterns, sewn, quilted, done lacemaking and more. Making was always a hobby on the side and, when I retired last year, I was finally able to tackle all the ideas that had been roaming around in me for so long.

To focus my creativity and exploration, I started making small pieces out of anything that included fibers, into which embroidery was frequently incorporated. In order to expand my skills, I purchased many books and I was looking to see if there were classes I could take.
It didn’t take me long to find the RSN and to realise that it was the only school that specialised in the craft and could provide a true grounding into the techniques.

I quickly joined the Jacobean Crewelwork intensive course when the RSN reopened and started planning my trip. The two weeks were fast paced, full of information both big and small with the stuff you just can’t get out of a book. This summer I am looking forward to my second module, Blackwork!”

Summer Intensive Dates

RSN Durham
• Spring Intensive: Mon 24 to Thurs 28 April Only 1 space left
• Summer Intensive: Tues 4 to Fri 7 July; Tues 11 to Fri 14 July

RSN Scotland
• Summer Intensive: Mon 19 to Thurs 22 June; Mon 26 to Thurs 29 June Only 2 spaces left

If you are interested in a remaining place or would like to put your name on a waiting list please contact: [email protected]

Find out more about the Certificate & Diploma Course to attend our next Online Open Day at 1pm on Tuesday 6 June. Register here.

Future Tutor Student, Eve Commander, originally from Birmingham, started the course in September 2022 and moved from Manchester. The RSN’s Future Tutors Programme is a three year full time course specifically designed for those wanting a career in teaching hand embroidery to the highest technical level, and based at Hampton Court Palace.

Eve says, “I’ve had a few job changes, but it was when I was working for the Police that I decided to enrol on the RSN Certificate in Technical Hand Embroidery Course, which fed my creative passion and kept me busy. I’ve always enjoyed embroidery and throughout my life, I have stitched things for friends and family. I like crafting and have spent most of my spare time on art courses, from painting, to glass fusing and printmaking!

When I saw the RSN Future Tutors Programme, I thought it would be an amazing chance to do something I enjoy and to share this with other people. In our first term of the Future Tutors Programme, we covered Jacobean Crewelwork, Canvaswork and Silk Shading. I’ve enjoyed the variety of stitches involved in Crewelwork, which makes it a good technique for learning, as well as being able to generate my own design for it. As a History Graduate, I also like learning about the history surrounding the different techniques, the traditional motifs and their origins from a range of cultural backgrounds.

I really enjoyed assisting at The Knitting & Stitching Show, London, helping with the workshop and encouraging visitors to get involved with stitching a motif celebrating the RSN’s 150th anniversary. I look forward to being involved in more projects, particularly looking at historical objects as well as new commissions.

When I graduate, I would like to teach classes, to encourage a wider range of people to take up stitching…but I’m keeping an open mind! I would like to design kits and I’m also interested in conservation and restoration work.

My Top Tip to readers would be to wear (some form of) thimble and to use hand cream! I didn’t do either at the beginning of the course and my hands were the worse for wear after the first month or so of intensive stitching on the Future Tutors Programme!”

We wish Eve the best of luck with her studies and look forward to sharing more of her work with you.

You can follow Eve on Instagram.

Due to popular demand, we are bringing you a new RSN Self-Paced Video Online Course, ‘Next Steps: Jacobean Crewelwork with Deborah Wilding’. This is the perfect follow on course from Deborah’s Introduction Course, or for stitchers with some Crewelwork experience already.

In this Next Steps course RSN Tutor Deborah Wilding shows you how to develop your Crewelwork techniques to take your stitching to the next level. You will create this stunning tonal crewelwork pomegranate, learning techniques to elevate your stitching skills, including how to add dimension and complexity to traditional stitches from the Jacobean era. You will also learn useful tips and tricks to help you achieve a professional finish on all your embroidery.

View the Course Trailer

The course comes with an exclusive materials kit that includes all the elements you need to create this traditional design, including a piece of printed linen with the design, needles and threads. The step by step videos in this course are available for you to watch via online streaming, anytime, on any screen, and at your own pace. You can watch and re-watch as often as you need to learn techniques that will last you a lifetime.

If you have not tried Jacobean Crewelwork before, we recommend starting with the Introduction to Jacobean Crewelwork course to learn the basic principles of this technique. If you are new to embroidery, this introduction course is also perfect for beginners. The RSN Self-Paced Video Online Courses are available on a dedicated website rsnonlinecourses.com

There are now 15 RSN Self-Paced Video Online Courses to choose from, covering a wide range of hand embroidery techniques. These courses are developed in partnership with David & Charles.

Visit the dedicated RSN Self-Paced Video Online Courses website: rsnonlinecourses.com