RSN Degree Students have created a unique hand embroidered dress for musician and poet, PJ Harvey. The dress was inspired by Harvey’s new book Orlam, a beautiful and profound narrative poem, set in a magic realist version of the West Country (south west England) and will be worn for her poetry recital tour.

Inspired by Harvey’s own drawings of insects and birds, our Degree Students have captured the essence of the book’s narrative and beautifully translated it through the art of hand embroidery. The specialist needlework was designed to connect with the embroidery heritage of the West Country and features a combination of traditional stiches, including Dorset Feather, Buttonhole, Chain and Fly Stitch. These are stitches which are known worldwide, but also have a distinctive connection to the locality.

Designer Todd Lynn and RSN Degree Course Leader Angie Wyman spearheaded the project. Angie said:

“To connect directly with an artist through their drawings is such a powerful experience. Hand embroidery was the perfect medium to translate the sensitivity of the drawn mark and bring the imagery to life. It not only captured the notion of the maker and the hand, but also a contemporary interpretation of a traditional process.”

RSN Degree Technician and Graduate, Jasmine Dawson, managed the project development through the hand embroidery sampling stages. Jasmine then worked directly with the students, who hand embroidered individual components. Each embroiderer worked to a defined colour palette which contributed to the overall composition whilst offering the artistic freedom to interpret the image through colour and stitch. The final garment was assembled by RSN Textile Technician, Emily Howse.

You can see PJ Harvey and listen to poems from Orlam on 2 June at Queen Elizabeth Hall in London. PJ Harvey was awarded an MBE for services to music as well as an Honorary Degree in Music from Goldsmith University. She is the only artist to have won the Mercury Prize twice. Harvey’s debut poetry collection was The Hollow of the Hand in 2015. Orlam is a coming of age tale and the first full length book written in the Dorset dialect for many decades.

View work from RSN Degree Graduates 2021

Watch PJ Harvey’s interview with Frank Skinner on YouTube where she acknowledges the embroidery created by the RSN (2.51 to 3.18mins).

If you would like to find out more about our Degree course, book your place on the forthcoming Open Day at Hampton Court Palace at 1pm on Thursday 16 June.

Photo of PJ Harvey © Sumit Bothra

The RSN Embroidery Studio is producing a series of NEW kits to celebrate our 150^th anniversary and we are launching the first one today. The kit is inspired from a design by artist Selwyn Image and can be made into a Tote Bag which is included in the pack as well as needles and threads.

Selwyn Image (1849–1930) was a leading British artist, designer, writer and poet with close links to the Arts and Crafts Movement. After an early career in the church, he studied with the architect and designer A. H. Mackmurdo and went on to produce many designs for stained glass and furniture as well as embroidery. The design featured in the kit is part of the RSN’s Collection and one of many that Selwyn Image created for us.

The RSN’s Collection is rich in designs from leaders of the Arts and Crafts and Aesthetic Movements: Walter Crane, William Morris, Edward Burne-Jones, Selwyn Image, George Aitcheson, Gertrude Jekyll and many others. To mark our 150th Anniversary, the RSN Embroidery Studio searched through the RSN’s amazing design archive and rediscovered many treasures, including the design used in this kit. 

To purchase your kit, click here. 

Find out more about the RSN Embroidery Studio. 

We are very excited for The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations and, in anticipation, have produced a wonderful stitch design of a crown, so that everyone can celebrate, wherever they are! The design has been produced for RSN Sip & Stitch which launches next month, but we wanted to release this design early, so you can have fun with stitch and feel part of the festivities.

Download here: Crown Template

We feel very privileged to have designed and embroidered the Coronation Robe of Estate for Her Majesty and that she was our royal patron from 2002 – 2017. To create this stunning design, we hand embroidered 18 varieties of gold thread and used a technique known as Coronation Goldwork. Don’t worry, you don’t need to duplicate that technique for your crown! Just have fun and free style it. We would love to see your completed crowns, so please share them on social media and tag @royalneedlework.

If you would like to see the stunning ‘Wheat and Olive’ design that we created for The Queen’s Coronation Robe up close, a special Goldwork Sampler is on display at our Anniversary Exhibition at the Fashion and Textile Museum in London. The exhibition, ‘150 Years of the Royal School of Needlework: Crown to Catwalk’, runs until 4 September.

The crown stitch template has been designed by RSN Tutor Kate Pankhurst. Download here: Crown Template

Find out more about the  RSN Sip & Stitch

Photo of Her Majesty The Queen © Jacob King/PA Wire/PA Images

If you are looking for more ideas and inspiration to get ready for the Platinum Anniversary celebrations, you will love our special kits, scarves and classes.

• Jubilee Cupcake Class

Saturday 18 June, 10am – 4pm at Hampton Court Palace

Learn the Silk Shading technique to create your own cupcake topped with a cherry and a proudly positioned flag for the perfect memory of this iconic year.

Book your place

• Jubilee Scarves

We have selected three Jubilee themed scarves that beautifully reflect the lasting legacy of Her Majesty The Queen. Whether you choose the design featuring a central cameo portrait of The Queen or Corgis and Crowns, we are sure these scarves will make you feel like royalty and stand out from the crowd!

Shop here.

• Jubilee Inspired Kits

Coronation Goldwork – Peace and Plenty: A beautiful Goldwork kit, inspired by The Queen’s Coronation Robe design of ‘Wheat and Olive.’

Shop here.

Jubilee Crown – This needlepoint kit features a Jubilee Crown designed by the Flanders Tapestry Collection and created with pure British wools by Appletons.

Shop here.

View all RSN Online Shop Products Here.

Our International Summer School takes place during July and August and comprises a variety of wonderful classes and events, including a series of exclusive Online Talks. If you are not able to attend the Talks live, they will also be available on demand for International Summer School students.

3pm, Wednesday 13 July – Cultural History with Professor Dakers
Meet Professor Emerita Caroline Dakers, specialist in Cultural History, and find out more about England and the arts during the 1870s, when the RSN was founded. Learn about the start of Albertopolis in London, with the Royal Albert Hall, Royal College of Music, South Kensington Museum (now the V&A) all being built in the area. But these were not the only developments, it was also the opening of Alexandra Palace in north London with its park and theatre. Caroline will look at all these fascinating cultural and artistic developments.

5pm, Wednesday 13 July – Virtual Tour of our Anniversary Exhibition
Enjoy an exclusive virtual tour of our exhibition ‘150 Years of the Royal School of Needlework: Crown to Catwalk’. Dr Susan Kay-Williams will take you on a walking tour around the exhibition to look at key pieces and themes, including our links with the military, church, high end lingerie and runway partners as well as royalty and the Arts & Crafts movement.

6pm, Wednesday 20 July – A Girl’s Education in Stitch
Our first exhibition Onsite at Hampton Court Palace since Covid will have just opened! Dr Susan Kay-Williams will introduce you to the new exhibition, ‘Girls Education in Stitch’, highlighting many of the pieces and the wonderful stories behind them.

Book your place on our International Summer School. Choose from a wide range of designs, taught in different time zones to suit you. If you have any questions about the classes, please do not hesitate to contact [email protected]

For more information on the RSN International Summer School 2022 click here.

Join us this June for fascinating Online Talks and a range of Online and Onsite classes covering a variety of techniques from Silk Shading to Appliqué. We are also opening the doors to our Degree Programme with an Onsite Open Day as well as an Online Open Day for our Certificate & Diploma Programme.

Onsite Class at The Fashion and Textile Museum, London

Introduction to Coronation Gold: Shamrock and Acorn inspired by the Queen Mother’s Coronation Robe The Fashion & Textile Museum, London: Fri 3 June, 10:45am – 4:45pm

Online Embroidery Classes

Advanced Appliqué, Silk Shading & Goldwork: ‘Matryoshka’: Mon 6 June – Mon 7 July, 3pm – 6pm

NEW Bargello Heart: Sat 11 June, 10am – 4pm

Drawing Basics for Beginners: Wed 15 June – Wed 22 June, 3pm – 5:30pm Only 4 Spaces Left

Introduction to Goldwork: ‘William Morris Inspired’: Wed 15 June – Wed 22 June, 6pm – 9pm Only 4 Spaces Left

Onsite Classes at Hampton Court Palace

Exclusive Silk Shaded Platinum Jubilee Cupcake: Sat 18 June, 10am – 4pm

Introduction to Canvas Stitches: ‘Mini Wool Rack Pincushion’: Sun 19 June, 10am – 4pm

Historical Stitch: ‘Exploring 17th Century Raised Embroidery’: Sat 25 June – Sun 26 June, 10am – 4pm

Online Talks

Wedding Embroidery with Amy Hare: Wed 8 June, 7pm – 8:30pm

Sewing the Self: The Threads of Being Human with Susan Aldworth: Wed 29 June, 7pm – 8:30pm

Open Days

Degree Open Day at Hampton Court Palace: Thurs 16 June, 1pm

C&D Online Open Day: Wed 22 June, 1pm

 

View all Day & Evening Classes

View all RSN Talks – Live and On Demand

Our Third Year Degree Students will be showcasing their exciting Final Major Projects in an exhibition at Hampton Court Palace.

The exhibition runs from Monday 13 June – Friday 17 June, with visiting times at 11am and 2pm.

The graduates will be on hand to discuss their projects and to inspire the next generation of hand embroiderers. The exhibition is free of charge to visit, but you must pre-book your place. Please click the link below to register:

Please note that you will not have access to visit the Palace itself without a Hampton Court Palace Visitor ticket.

RSN Degree Graduate Show 2022

RSN Degree Students will also be exhibiting on stand T32 at New Designers at the Business Design Centre in London from 29 June – 2 July.

Find out more about our BA (Hons) Hand Embroidery programme here.

We were delighted to welcome The Queen of Malaysia last week to our Anniversary Exhibition at the Fashion and Textile Museum. 

Her Majesty is an enthusiastic embroiderer and follower of the RSN. The Queen visited us in December 2019 at Hampton Court Palace, meeting students and viewing the Lost Dress of Elizabeth I that was also on display. 

Book your ticket to ‘150 Years of the Royal School of Needlework: Crown to Catwalk’, you never know who you might meet there!

A gift in your Will means so much to the RSN. Throughout our history gifts in Wills have helped RSN students and our courses. 

Just this week we heard that one of our Life Friends had died and generously left us £5,000. This is very much appreciated and really gives us something to remember her by so that her RSN connection can live on. This money will go to support our Future Tutor Students, but a gift could support any of our future projects.

It is now much simpler to make an amendment to your Will, although it should always be undertaken by a professional to ensure it is legally binding and truly represents your wishes. 

There are three main ways you can support the RSN through your Will.

1. You can give a residuary gift. This is all or a share of the residue of your estate after any specific gifts have been dispersed. This can help you offset any tax that would otherwise be due on the estate and give it to a good cause.

2. A pecuniary gift. This is a specific named amount. However, the value of this will diminish over time.

3. A specific item. While the RSN might accept threads/materials and embroidered works, the money they raise for the RSN is usually very small.  Only high quality or unusual items can be added to the RSN Collection.

For more information on the benefits of gifts in Wills to the RSN, please see our website which also provides the information your adviser would need to make a gift in favour to the RSN. Click here.

To discuss how we might use your gift, please contact our Chief Executive, Dr Susan Kay-Williams here.

A gift in your Will is a great way to witness your life and interests and make a significant contribution to the future of RSN Students.

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.