We are delighted to launch a brand new event, ‘RSN Sip & Stitch’, which we are running to celebrate World Embroidery Day on Saturday 30 July.

We are encouraging stitch lovers around the world to get together with friends to share their passion, have fun with stitch and raise funds for the RSN. We will provide a wide range of ideas and themes to host your perfect event, from RSN Stitch Bank challenges and different theme ideas to quizzes and stitch templates.

The resources will be available on our website from the beginning of June. So please save the date, or even the weekend, and host your own ‘RSN Sip & Stitch’ event. It is a great way to have stitch fun with friends and at the same time help us by raising money to support our work.

As a registered charity, with no government funding, every donation we receive means a great deal to us. We are passionate about keeping the art of hand embroidery alive. We have been thrilled with the response to RSN Stitch Bank so everything raised this year from ‘RSN Sip & Stitch’ will go towards supporting RSN Stitch Bank.   And we have just added another 25 stitches to RSN Stitch Bank, so there are now 225 stitches featured!

Take out your wine glasses or mugs, thread your needles and get ready for RSN Sip & Stitch on Saturday 30 July!

Watch this space for more information that will be available in the next eNews issue. If you’re not signed up yet, please click here.

Join us this May for a variety of creative classes both Online and In-Person including our popular ‘Designing for Embroidery: Jacobean Crewelwork’ class and an exclusive Canvaswork class at The Courtauld Gallery in London. We are also holding two Online Talks this month with our Chief Executive, Susan Kay-Williams, and RSN Ambassador, Clare Hunter.

RSN Partnership Class

Canvaswork Bloomsbury Bookmark The Courtauld Gallery, London: Fri 5 May, 10am – 4pm

Online Embroidery Classes

Observational Drawing Day: ‘Drawing Flowers’ with Caroline Homfray: Wed 18 May, 10am – 4pm

New Designing for Embroidery: ‘Canvas Work’ with Chrissie Juno Mann: Mon 23 May, 3pm – 9pm

Designing for Embroidery: ‘Jacobean Crewelwork’ with Chrissie Juno Mann: Mon 30 May, 3pm – 9pm

Online Talks

RSN Benefactors with Susan Kay-Williams: Wed 11 May, 7pm – 8:30pm

The Salve of Sewing with Clare Hunter: Wed 25 May, 7pm – 8:30pm

 

View all Day & Evening Classes here

View all Online Talks here

*All times above are British Summer Time.

As part of our International Summer School, we will be teaching a series of Online Classes from 3pm – 9pm (British Summer Time), ideal for the Americas Time Zone (or any late risers in UK and Europe!) These classes take place from Monday 14 – Saturday 16 July.

Students can join us for the whole week, or book two classes – one 2-day class and one 3-day class, or book on an individual class. The 2-day classes will be held on Monday and Tuesday, and the 3-day classes on Thursday, Friday and Saturday (there will be no class on Wednesday). The five day classes also leave Wednesday free for some talks.

Whether you join us for the whole week or an individual class, you will also be able to enjoy the additional events over the period of our Summer School, which include a Welcome Reception and exclusive Online Talks with guest speakers. Each student will also receive a goodie bag.

Two Day Online Classes: Monday 11 – Tuesday 12 July

Introduction to Jacobean Crewelwork: ‘Snail’ – a beautiful design for students new to the technique and wish to learn traditional stitches in Jacobean Crewelwork. Beginners Level.

Monstera Leaf Brooch – create this unique brooch using Silk Shading and Goldwork techniques. Mixed Ability Level.

Coronation Goldwork: ‘Thistle’ – inspired by the Coronation Robe of Queen Elizabeth, consort to King George VI. Intermediate Level.

Three Day Online Classes: Thursday 14 – Saturday 16 July

Contemporary Goldwork: ‘Leaves of Gold’ – treat yourself to a feast of Goldwork embroidery. Mixed Ability Level.

Embroiderer’s Accessories: ‘Biscornu & Scissor Minder’ – create an RSN anniversary keepsake of your own using Blackwork patterns, Beadwork and cord making. Mixed Ability Level.

Contrast Colour Wheel – this class combines coloured Blackwork embroidery with Goldwork accents. Intermediate Level.

Shaded Blackwork: ‘The Eyes Have It’ – learn how to create an intricate shaded effect with the Blackwork technique. Intermediate Level.

The International Summer School offers a wide variety of Online Classes at different times to suit all times zones as well as classes Onsite at Hampton Court Palace. We will be highlighting more classes in the next eNews issue.

Click here for bookings and for more information on the International Summer School 2022.

We will be running Summer Intensives for our Certificate & Diploma Onsite at Hampton Court Palace; at RSN Durham at the Tracy Franklin Studio in Fowlers Yard and at RSN Scotland in The Glasgow Art Club. This is the first full Summer Intensive Programme we have been able to run since summer 2019 due to Covid.

Students attend our venues from far and wide, including Australia and Hong Kong, and we are really looking forward to welcoming students from around the world at our intensive sessions again. 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.

The dates for all the 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.

RSN Hampton Court Palace

Jacobean Crewelwork Summer Intensive – Monday 27 June – Friday 8 July – Full

Blackwork/Canvas Stitches Summer Intensive – Monday 11 July – Friday 22 July – Full

Silk Shading Summer Intensive – Monday 25 July – Friday 5 August – 1 space left

Goldwork Summer Intensive – Monday 8 August – Friday 19 August – 1 space left

RSN Durham

Summer Intensive 1 – Tuesday 7 June – Friday 10 June; Wednesday 15 June – Saturday 18 June – 1 space left

Summer Intensive 2 – Tuesday 26 July – Friday 29 July; Tuesday 2 August – Friday 5 August – 2 spaces left

RSN Scotland

Summer Intensive – Tuesday 7 June – Friday 10 June; Monday 13 June to Thursday 16 June – 5 spaces left

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

Click here for more information about the Certificate & Diploma Course.

We are very excited to be able to bring you a series of special Online Talks with our Anniversary Ambassadors Clare Hunter, Susan Aldworth and Jamie ‘Mr X Stitch’ Chalmers. Listen to their needlework stories and the importance and relevance of hand embroidery in the world we live in today.

• Textile artist, curator and author Clare Hunter will be talking about ‘The Salve of Sewing’ on 25 May, sharing stories of people using embroidery as an emotional expression. Book here.
• Join experimental artist Susan Aldworth for ‘Sewing the Self: The Threads of Being Human’ on 29 June and discover how and why Susan uses embroidery in her exhibitions and the work she did with our Degree Students. Book here.
• On 6 July, we welcome one of the world’s most well-known male embroiderers, Jamie Chalmers who will explore modern needlework and how it remains a powerful tool for expression. Book here.

Dr Susan Kay-Williams and Amy Hare are also back with more inspiring talks about the RSN and our Collection. If you are surprised to hear that an organisation founded by women, for women, has men as Ambassadors, make sure you join Susan’s talk on Wednesday 11 May and find out how men have always played many roles in the RSN, including as supporters and benefactors.

For bookings and more information on RSN Online Talks click here

The RSN Embroidery Studio has been very busy this year with their latest challenge, to hand embroider two large hangings for the Katie Paterson Studio. Entitled ‘Evergreen,’ the pieces were inspired by a May Morris hanging based on the ‘Tree of Life’. This design comprised over 350 extinct plants, taken from botanical drawings.

The embroidery was worked in a small range of surface stitches, using a variety of black threads on a linen twill fabric. The stitches included Stem Stitch, Straight Stitch, French Knots and Pistol Stitch, and there was a wide range of plant styles, from simple and clean to flowery and fluffy.

When transferring the design onto the fabric, only the main important lines were transferred. This has meant that our amazing talented Studio Embroiderers had to stitch free hand, or ‘free styling’, which they nick named the process!

Due to delays in receiving the design and our team being hit by Covid, the Embroidery Studio had a limited time to stitch the piece, but our expert team put their heart and soul into this in order to meet the deadline. One of the hangings is now finished and can be found at the Ingleby Gallery in Edinburgh. The second hanging is nearly ready and, once completed, will go to Norway.

You can find out more about ‘Evergreen’ on Katie Paterson’s website. Click here.

The RSN Embroidery Studio is based at Hampton Court Palace and all work is done Onsite. The Studio is usually closed to the public, but for one day on Friday 13 May the team will open their doors as part of the Artisan Festival. So if you are visiting the Festival or the Palace on that day, please come and see our team in action. Book your tickets to the festival here.

If you would like to enquire about a restoration and conservation project or new commission, please email: [email protected]

We are delighted to announce the launch a new Self-Paced Video Online Course – ‘Introduction to Appliqué with RSN Tutor Angela Bishop’ – which is the next technique added to our series!

This introductory course guides you, step by step, on how to stitch a beautiful art-deco style portrait of a lady with a bonnet and scarf.   You will learn a variety of Appliqué techniques, including how to apply a variety of edgings, layering, padding and the reverse Appliqué method.

The kit that accompanies the course includes all the materials you need to create this stylish piece with Angela. Along the way, Angela will also share her helpful tips and tricks to help you achieve a professional finish.

Watch the trailer for Introduction to Appliqué.

In partnership with David and Charles, there is a wide range of video online courses available to help master your hand embroidery techniques, including Jacobean Crewelwork, Whitework, Blackwork, Silk Shading and Goldwork.

To find out more about the latest course and full range of RSN Self Paced Video Online Courses, visit rsnonlinecourses.com.

Invitation to Junior Schools to join our milestone celebrations

We want to share our passion for needlework and open the doors of our anniversary exhibition ‘150 Years of the Royal School of Needlework: Crown to Catwalk’ to the next generation of stitchers.

Bring your class to view the special exhibition at the Fashion and Textile Museum in London and enjoy a stitch lesson with an expert RSN Tutor.

Each session will commence at 9.30am and finish at 11am, comprising a 45 minute tour of the exhibition with a fun worksheet provided and a 45 minute stitch class.  Pupils will be given a pre-printed fabric with one of the words – FUN, WOW or NEW – and the opportunity to learn some basic filler and outline stitches to decorate their words.

There are a limited number of dates for the Schools Sessions and these must be pre-booked with the Fashion and Textile Museum. Please email: [email protected]

The School Sessions will run on:

• Tuesday 10 May
• Monday 23 May
• Tuesday 14 June
• Tuesday 21 June
• Monday 4 July
• Tuesday 5 July
• Tuesday 12 July

Please note that each session is for up to 35 children, aged 11 and under. We recommend that these are ideally suited to KS2 – Years 5 and 6. There is limited availability, so please contact the Fashion and Textile Museum as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Special thanks goes to The Worshipful Company of Broderers who have sponsored the Schools Programme and a series of Family Sessions at the museum.

The Fashion and Textile Museum is located at: 83 Bermondsey Street, London SE1 3XF.

Read more about ‘150 Years of the Royal School of Needlework: Crown to Catwalk’

Can you spot the pea under the princess’ mattresses?

How many sweets can you count on the dress?

Can you name all the characters stitched on the playing cards?

We were thrilled to celebrate the opening of our new anniversary exhibition, ‘150 Years of the Royal School of Needlework: Crown to Catwalk’ at the Fashion and Textile Museum London with colleagues, students, tutors, friends and associates of the RSN. And it felt even more special as due to Covid, this was the first event the museum had been able to host for two years!

We hope you enjoy the behind the scenes photos from the special evening and can join us at the exhibition soon. The doors are now open and the exhibition will run until 4 September 2022.  Book your tickets here

Read more about our exhibition here

Whether you are able to visit the exhibition or live further afield, and would like to know more about the pieces we have selected for display, we have produced an illustrated catalogue of the exhibition. Buy your copy here

We have a full range of exclusive Anniversary memorabilia and gift options, from a book of postcards featuring pieces in the exhibition to notelets, tea towels, soaps, pens, pencils and an anniversary mug. All the products are exclusive and limited editions. Shop the full collection online – click here

There is also a beautiful book published to coincide with our anniversary called ‘An Unbroken Thread – Celebrating 150 Years of the Royal School of Needlework’. Written by RSN Chief Executive, Dr Susan Kay-Williams, it covers the remarkable history of the RSN from inception to the present day.  Buy your copy here

You can also purchase our 150th Anniversary Collection from the RSN Shop at Hampton Court Palace, London. We are currently open between 12:30pm – 2pm (BST) Wednesday to Friday and at weekends for all Palace visitors.

View all products in the RSN’s Online Shop.

To find out more about the RSN Future Tutors Programme, book your place on the forthcoming Open Day at Hampton Court Palace at 2pm on Saturday 23 April.

We spoke to Future Tutor Student ,Sally Randle, to find out what brought her to the course, all the way from Australia!

Third year RSN Future Tutor Student, Sally Randle, moved 16,500KMs from her hometown of Brisbane, Australia, in 2019 to pursue her love of hand embroidery and shares with us her passion for teaching the beautiful art to the next generation, as well as her year so far in the RSN Embroidery Studio.

 

Why did you apply to the Future Tutors Programme?

My first embroidery lessons were on my grandmother’s knee and I have continued to embroider ever since. The more I explored techniques and read about embroidery, the more I realised that the Royal School of Needlework was the most widely respected embroidery school in the world.

In 2018, I decided that I wanted to learn from the best, so I took a break from work and flew to the UK for the RSN’s Summer Intensive Certificate & Diploma Course. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, and it was while I was at the RSN that I learnt about the Future Tutors Programme. On my return home to Australia I made up my mind and planned to apply for a place to start in 2019.

 

What were you doing before?

Embroidery has always been my primary way to relax from the pressures of work. Before joining the course, I was a senior manager with the Australian Taxation Office, responsible for the introduction of technology to simplify the collection of data and reporting requirements for personal income taxation. Prior to that, I worked for the Department of Defence and was an Army Officer with the Australian Defence Forces. I have two adult children, and five grandchildren.

 

Having completed the majority of your embroidery techniques, what is your favourite?

I find it very difficult to identify one favourite technique; looking back at my completed pieces gives rise to emotions far different from those experienced during their working. I do find that the three dimensional requirements of Stumpwork and Appliqué allow for great personal expression. My Stumpwork piece represents a common sight in the everyday work-life at Hampton Court Palace; a gardener tending one of the Palace walled gardens. It will always remind me of my time here!

 

You will graduate in summer 2022, how do you feel about this?

There are always two major emotions experienced at a graduation; the relief that “it’s all over” and the fresh anticipation of the opportunities that lie ahead. In addition to the embroidery skills I have acquired, I have made many friends and professional contacts during the Future Tutors Programme. It has ensured that I have confidence in my technical skills, and have gained valuable teaching experience. I will always look back fondly on my time in the UK on the course.

 

What do you hope to do in the future, following graduation?

After graduation, I will be taking a little time to travel around the UK, as this has not been possible during Covid. I then intend to return to teach embroidery in Australia, establishing an RSN satellite in Brisbane, and passing on the skills and knowledge I have honed during my time at the RSN.

I love seeing the joy and personal satisfaction in the faces of class attendees as they progress, whether it be during their first day on a project, or as they complete an extensive and personal piece. I look forward to welcoming students to my Studio to further develop their technical embroidery skills.

We wish Sally and the other Future Tutor third year students the very best of luck in the final months of the course!

Follow Sally on Instagram

Book onto the Future Tutors Programme Open Day here

Read more about the Future Tutors Programme Course here

Individual classes for the International Summer School are now available to book both Online and Onsite, at Hampton Court Palace London.

Throughout July and August, expert RSN Tutors will teach eight five-Day Classes, with a range of designs and techniques to choose.  As part of the event, there will also be guided tours of the 150th exhibition at the Fashion and Textile Museum in London, as well as the RSN’s own summer exhibition, ‘A Girl’s Education in Stitch’, plus Online Talks and a goody bag.

If coming to London is not an option, we are offering a mixture of two and three Online Day Classes in July, for the time zones in Australia/New Zealand, the Americas and UK/Europe.  The five-Day Classes will mostly be offered in North American time, with shorter classes being offered Online in the other two time zones.

Don’t miss the opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of hand embroidery with a week’s treat of stitching, meeting like-minded international friends and enjoying a host of special events.

Click here to view all the wonderful classes!