‘150 Years of the Royal School of Needlework: Crown to Catwalk’
(1 April – 4 September 2022)

We are very excited to announce that we will be celebrating our 150th anniversary in 2022 with a unique exhibition at the Fashion and Textile Museum in London. The exhibition, ‘150 Years of the Royal School of Needlework: Crown to Catwalk’, will explore the RSN’s contribution to the world of embroidery and showcase our remarkable history.

In 1872, the Royal School of Needlework was founded on two key principles – the first, the preservation of hand embroidery as an art form and the second, the support of women’s independence through work. In the intervening 150 years, the RSN’s journey towards these goals has taken many unexpected forms and featured countless high-profile projects.

The exhibition will present collaborations with the great names of the Arts and Crafts movement, commissions produced for the British royal family, contemporary works created for top, international designers and pieces by our talented students.  This in-depth retrospective will present textiles from the Royal School of Needlework’s 5,000-piece archive, alongside examples from museums and collections across the UK.

‘150 Years of the Royal School of Needlework: Crown to Catwalk’ runs from 1 April – 4 September at the Fashion and Textile Museum in London. Tickets are now on sale and should be pre-booked on the Fashion and Textile’s website ftmlondon.org. Adults cost: £12.65, concessions: £11.55, students: £10.45, under 12s: free

The Fashion and Textile Museum opens from Tuesday – Saturday, 11am – 6pm and is situated in the heart of fashionable Bermondsey Village at 83 Bermondsey Street, London SE1 3XF.

BOOK YOUR TICKETS HERE

 

Images featured below:  Blackwork portrait of David Bowie by RSN Future Tutor Sarah de Rousset-Hall; Final Major Project ‘Faith & Fears’ by RSN Degree Student Alex Standring; Final Major Project ‘The Lost Garden’ RSN Degree Student Livia Papiernik; Silk Shading and Laidwork featuring a Lapwing by RSN Diploma Student in 1950s; Millennium Sampler A to Z by RSN Apprentices; Panel design by Walter Crane worked by the RSN in 1875; Silk Shaded Magnolias by RSN Head of Workroom Margaret Bartlett in 1940s.

We are thrilled that several of our Degree and Future Tutor Graduates of 2021 have been shortlisted for this year’s Hand & Lock Prize for Embroidery!

Congratulations to: Felicity Billing and Millie Whitehead in the Fashion Student Category; Kate Pankhurst and Rebecca Offredi in the Textile Art Student Category; Sabina De Oliveira Lima in the Textile Art Open Category; Georgie Pike and Kate Pankhurst for the Gold & Silver Wyre Drawers Associate Award and Lucy Martin for the RSN Associate Award for Innovation & Technical Excellence in Hand Embroidery.

We can’t wait to find out the winners which will be announced at the prize giving event on 4 November.

For the second consecutive year, the RSN is proud to be an Associate of the Hand & Lock Prize for Embroidery, recognising and supporting new talent in the design industries. This year Hand & Lock will be exhibiting at the Bargehouse Oxo Tower in London from 3 – 7 November. The exhibition called ‘Embroidered Arts’ will feature emerging designers alongside works of artisan makers and contemporary artists.

In addition, the exhibition will be accompanied by a curated schedule of talks, events and workshops based around the preservation of contemporary embroidered arts and craftsmanship. You can join the RSN at the ‘Embroidered Arts’ event on 5 November. Our Chief Executive Dr Susan Kay-Williams and RSN Senior Lecturer Amy Hare will be giving Talks. Join Susan for ‘Technical Excellence with Artistic Innovation and The Forward-Looking Royal School of Needlework’ and join Amy for ‘Object Lesson: Embroidery & Self-Fashioning in the Royal School of Needlework Collection.’   Information about the Talks

We are also running two workshops – ‘Heart of Gold’, an introduction to Goldwork embroidery and ‘Hearts & Flowers’, an introduction to surface stitched embroidery.

Industry expert judges will join Hand & Lock at the November exhibition to judge the finalists’ work on display and announce the winners. The expert judges include Anthea Godfrey, Jenny King, Karen Nicol, Elizabeth Elvin, Justine Bonenfant, Polly Kenny and Polly Leonard, whom between them have showcased their skills and knowledge amongst international fashion brands and within the industry for many decades. Prizes range from associate awards, from industry professionals and companies, to monetary rewards for the 1st place winners.

Last year with the pandemic, the Hand & Lock Prize went virtual however, for 2021 the brand and foundation are thrilled to celebrate the creative industry once again in person. The exhibition welcomes embroidery enthusiasts, contemporary art lovers, students, fashion influencers and London tourists alike.    Tickets are available to purchase online: £8.50 general admission and £10.50 general admission and guided tour.

Good luck to all our shortlisted students at the prize giving event!

Images featured are:  RSN Degree Graduates 2021 – Lucy Martin, Millie Whitehead, Georgie Pike , Felicity Billing and Rebecca Offredi; RSN Future Tutor Graduate 2021 Kate Pankhurst and RSN Degree Student Sabina Lima.

Join us this October to create stunning designs in our Live Online Day Classes or spend the evening with us for our popular Online Talks.  Alternatively, if these timings are difficult for you, we also have a wide range of Self-Paced Video Online Courses.  For more information, simply click on the links below.

Live Online Day & Evening Classes

Mastering Needlelace – Fri 15 & 22 Oct, 10am – 4pm

Pearl  Embellished Bow – Sat 16 Oct, 10am – 4pm

Silk Shading & Goldwork Carousel Horse – Sun 17 & 24 Oct, 10am – 4pm

18th Century Exotic Bird – Sat 23 Oct, 10am – 4pm

Live Online Talks

RSN Apprentice to Head of Studio & Teaching: Anne Butcher’s 40 Year Stitch Journey – Wed 13 Oct, 7pm

Fashion Accessories from the RSN Collection – Wed 27 Oct, 7pm

 

View all Day & Evening Classes

View Live Online Talks

View Online Talks On Demand

View Self-Paced Video Online Courses

 

We have launched RSN Stitch Bank today by revealing the first 150 stitches and to kick off celebrations for our 150th anniversary.  RSN Stitch Bank aims to digitally conserve and preserve every stitch around the globe to become world’s largest repository of stitches.

RSN Stitch Bank is accessed online via the website rsnstitchbank.org.  It features videos, written instructions, illustrations and photographs for each stitch. It will also include history of its use and images of the stitch on items from the RSN Textile Collection. Stitches range from the well-known, Back Stitch and French Knots, to the more technical, Queen Stitch and Turkey Rug. Rarely used stitches will also be featured, such as Underside Couching and Battlement Couching Trellis.

Every year, stitches are lost as they fall out of use or through general wear and the age of the object. Textiles also continue to be threatened by changes in manufacturing processes and more aggressive issues of war, neglect and destruction.

Dr Susan Kay-Williams, Chief Executive of the Royal School of Needlework said:

“RSN Stitch Bank goes to the heart of the Royal School of Needlework’s core purpose. We will be celebrating our 150th anniversary in 2022 and were founded to keep the techniques of hand embroidery alive and, implicitly, all their stitches. We believe it is our responsibility to conserve every stitch digitally so they are recorded for future generations.”

RSN Stitch Bank is a resource for all stitchers, teachers, curators, historians, researchers and students. Stitchers can 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 will launch initially with 150 core stitches to mark the Royal School of Needlework’s 150th anniversary, but this will be just the start! The list will continue to be rapidly expanded to preserve a world directory of stitch for the future.

RSN Stitch Bank has been made possible thanks to a number of charitable trusts and also to many individual donors who have ‘Adopted a Stitch’ for themselves, for a friend or for a parent or grandparent who first taught them to stitch. The Royal School of Needlework is a registered charity.

Support the project and Adopt a Stitch.

 

We have launched a new Self-Paced Video Online Course, ‘Introduction to Stumpwork’ with RSN Tutor Jen Goodwin. The new course, takes you on a journey into the unique technique of Stumpwork to create a beautiful hunting scene, inspired by a historical piece from our Textile Collection (see full scene below).

‘Introduction to Stumpwork’ features a series of three-dimensional elements, combined with a range of stitches and additional techniques including Burden Stitch, Needlelace, Couching, Silk Shading and Appliqué. Produced in partnership with David and Charles, this is a Self-Paced Video Online Course which allows you to follow the lessons at your own pace, in the comfort of your home. You can watch each section as many times as you need, and you can pause at any point to focus on your stitching before moving on.

‘Introduction to Stumpwork’ is the ninth course in the series and suitable for confident beginners or intermediate level students in the art of hand embroidery. Additional Introduction Courses available include Jacobean Crewelwork; Blackwork; Canvaswork; Whitework; Silk Shading and Goldwork. There are also two ‘Next Steps’ courses in Contemporary Crewelwork and Goldwork & Silk Shading.

The full range of our Self-Paced Video Online Courses are on the dedicated website rsnonlinecourses.com

The start of new academic year brings a wonderful selection of new Online Talks, Online Day & Evening Classes and even an Event!  Here is a selection of What’s On this September.

New Live Online Talks

60 Years at the RSN with Elizabeth Elvin – Wed 8 Sept, 7pm

Erica Wilson: The Original Hand Embroidery Influencer: – Wed 29 Sept, 7pm

Online Day & Evening Classes

Creative Crewelwork –  Wed 8 Sept – 27 Oct, 7pm – 9pm

Creative Whitework – Fri 10 Sept – 19 Nov, 10am – 12pm

Raised Embroidery Roses – Fri 17 Sept, 1pm – 5.30pm

Technical Tuesdays:  Crewelwork –  Tue 21 Sept – 30 Nov, 12.30pm – 2.30pm

Technical Tuesdays: Blackwork – Tue 21 Sept – 30 Nov, 7pm – 9pm

Event

Wimbledon Bookfest Sunset Festival, – 15 – 19 September

London’s leading literary festival, a five-day event comprising more than 40 talks, workshops and activities for public and schools audiences. RSN Tutor and author Jacqui McDonald will be running a fun workshop to create a Crewelwork Butterfly. Unfortunately spaces on the workshop are sold out, but there are lots of activities to enjoy at the Festival.

View all Online Day & Evening Classes

View all Live Online Talks

 

We are looking forward to seeing you at the 30^th session of The Knitting & Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace, London from 7 – 10 October, and Harrogate 18-21 November.

Come and visit us on stand TG5 in London, and TG190 in Harrogate, to see some of the inspiring work by our new graduates and to meet RSN Staff.  We will also be running a series of ‘heart’ workshops teaching Goldwork and Surface Stitching, and you will have the chance to look at RSN Stitch Bank ‘in action’.

It’s a great day out and a wonderful reason to immerse yourself in the world of stitch.

We will be teaching two 90 minute workshops, ‘Heart of Gold’ and ‘Hearts & Flowers’ which you can now book online .

Book your RSN Workshop here.

We look forward to seeing you there!

 

At the end of July, we hosted our Degree Graduate Ceremony at Hampton Court Palace Gardens, celebrating the wonderful achievements of our 2021 Graduates. This month we shine a Spotlight on more of our BA (Hons) Hand Embroidery Degree Graduates 2021. Read about the inspiration behind their Final Major Projects (FMP) and their future goals.

Cassandra Poad’s ‘The Cornish Landscape’ collection is inspired by her growing up on a working Cornish Dairy Farm. The focus of her work is on animals, flora, and the land, ‘snapshot narratives of individual animals or plants within their homes, as well as her own home. Cassandra’s work is a creative marriage between traditional embroidery and textile techniques using a rich colour palette. Cassandra’s designs are depicted with embroidery on various interior furnishings, from an upcycled and renovated footstool, to everyday items like cushions.  Cassandra’s Instagram.

Eliza Mara’s FMP, entitled ‘LV-1079’, is the postcode of her neighbourhood in Riga, Latvia, Eliza’s home. During her time in London, Eliza grew to appreciate her Soviet heritage so she researched the Soviet phenomenon of ‘block housing’, and how it has shaped current Latvian society, especially for her generation who has grown up in a free and independent Latvia. She says, “The love I have grown for block buildings, Soviet architecture and my little neighbourhood is unmeasurable.”  Eliza’s Instagram.

Georgie Pike used the idea of spirituality to tap into the importance of considerate textiles; by embroidering onto vintage clothes to extend their life, in her FMP ‘Enlightenment’. The garments are original 1960s vintage dresses which encapsulate the style of the era, and the embroidery patterns on the dresses are almost psychedelic which echoes the revolutionary attitude of the 60s. ‘Enlightenment’ was influenced by Georgie’s personal spiritual practice, using a process called ‘intuitive art’. Georgie’s Instagram.

Kate Scorey created ‘a sacred object’ by hand, for her FMP, ‘Orchids for Olympia’. Inspired by the wedding attire of Princess Olympia of Denmark and Greece, Kate’s work demonstrates, highlights and signifies important elements of the wearer’s story, a wedding garment with a multifaceted purpose. There are layers of embroidery including beads, sequins and Goldwork, with an embroidered and beaded groom’s waistcoat.  Kate’s Instagram.

Lauren Cheetham’s FMP, ‘My Mother Julia’, explores the relationship between sexuality, fashion and especially lingerie, specialising in lingerie for the LGBT+ community.  Lauren’s Instagram.

Olivia Kent’s FMP, ‘When I Grow Up’, is a collection of bespoke pieces combining kitsch and cowboys, using colour to make her happy. As a Native American, Olivia hopes to find a market in Nashville.  Olivia’s Instagram.

Enjoy exploring the 2021 Graduates’ Final Major Projects where they explain the inspiration behind their work. We hope that you will follow them on Instagram to see how their careers develop and give them your support in the future.

A huge congratulations to all of our 2021 Degree Graduates and we look forward to meeting our new 1st years joining us this September! If you would like to learn more about our BA (Hons) Hand Embroidery Degree please attend an Open Day.  We are hosting Open Days online and at Hampton Court Palace.

Our next Open Day at Hampton Court Palace is on Wednesday 6 October at 2pm.  View all dates and book your place here

 

This summer saw the return of the Certificate & Diploma Summer Intensives at Hampton Court Palace and we welcomed several students from Belgium, Ireland and the USA. Those attending all eight days, in each two week block, were also joined by students attending occasional days so that they could continue work on their pieces over the summer. There has been a mix of techniques including, Jacobean Crewelwork, Canvaswork, Silk Shading, Tapestry Shading and Blackwork, with some wonderful designs.

The Summer Intensives are now finished, and our classes at Hampton Court Palace are returning every day for the new academic term. Jacobean Crewelwork Starter Days will also be available at Hampton Court Palace. Our Satellites of Bristol, Rugby, Durham and Glasgow will be returning from September and we are looking to forward welcome back even more of our students to these venues.

In addition, this month sees the start of another three groups of Online Jacobean Crewelwork modules over three time zones and we have been busy packing and wrapping in order to get everything to the students for the start date.

Currently all our ‘Open Days’ have been moved online and we have been experimenting with times, our last one was at 8am BST to suit the Southern Hemisphere time. We were initially a little surprised to see attendees enjoying a glass of wine, only to remember they were of course attending early evening, their time, and not breakfast, our time!

Our next C&D Virtual Open Day will be Thursday 16 September at 1pm. Book your place here.

Read more about the RSN Certificate & Diploma in Technical Hand Embroidery – taught both onsite and online.

In the August and September issues of the eNews, we are shining a spotlight on our 14 Degree Graduates and their achievements, showcasing the variety of themes covered for their Final Major Projects.  We celebrated their success with an Online Ceremony, recognising the achievements of our students in front of all year groups, Tutors, staff, as well as our Donors to whom we are extremely grateful for their support, particularly during these uncertain times.

And the Awards go to…

Millie Whitehead, ‘Beyond the Binary Wave’, won the Award for Best Metal Thread Embroidery, sponsored by the Worshipful Company of Gold & Silver Wyre Drawers, as well as Top Student sponsored by the Worshipful Company of Broderers.  Millie’s final collection was inspired by gender, fluidity and movement, creating a gender fluid collection which came from looking at her own wardrobe and experiences when shopping.

Rebecca Offredi, ‘Odysseys of Grief’, won Best Final Year Major Project sponsored by the Worshipful Company of Haberdashers for her three ‘crowns’ which tell a very personal story of overcoming tragedy.  Rebecca also won the Best Technical Stitch Award sponsored by the Worshipful Company of Needlemakers.

Felicity Billing, ‘Transcending Cells The Unseen Tactile Biology’, won Stitch Innovation sponsored by the Worshipful Company of Needlemakers, who was inspired by abstract shapes found in both human and plants cells, invisible to the naked eye, to create a collection of three-body adornment garments.

Lucy Martin ‘The Preciousness of Life’ won the Award for Best Raised Embroidery sponsored by the Worshipful Company of Haberdashers and was inspired by the garden at her family home, which she holds most dear.  Lucy has also won a commercial opportunity to launch her website as part of The Pattern Cloud, a 360º digital solution for running a textile design business and website.

Hollie Phillips, ‘Horrifically Sickening’, won the Award for Personal Development over the three years, sponsored by the RSN Friends.  Hollie is driven by ‘the horrific’ and tries to bring a sense of unease through her work.

Olivia Kent, ‘When I Grow Up’ won the Contextual Practice Award sponsored by The Arts Society (Greater London), look out for her work in September!

There were also prizes for 1^st and 2^nd year Degree Students:

Jenna Riddell won Most Promising 1^st Year sponsored by RSN Friends.  Jenna’s Instagram Page.

Daisy Streatfeild, 2^nd year Degree Student, won the Contextual Essay Award sponsored by The Arts Society (Greater London).  Daisy’s Instagram Page.

Linnea Lyndon won the Most Developing 2^nd Year Student sponsored by the RSN Friends.  Linnea’s Instagram Page.

Explore the 2021 Graduates’ Final Major Projects of Felicity Billing; Erin Ledsom; Lucy Martin; Rebecca Offredi; Hollie Phillips; Durga Shanthakumar and Millie Whitehead; and find out the inspiration behind their work.

We hope that you will follow them on Instagram to see how their careers develop and give them your support in the future.  A huge congratulations to all of our Award Winners and look out for more RSN Degree Graduate Spotlights in our September eNews.

Degree in Hand Embroidery

Open Days for the Degree Course

This month you can join us for a Day Class at Hampton Court Palace or Online and enjoy our Online Talks, now available On Demand.

Classes at Hampton Court Palace

We have ‘Love’ and a ‘Rainbow’ at Hampton Court Palace, plus two ‘Back to Basics’ classes in Blackwork and Silk Shading.

Goldwork & Ribbonwork: ‘Word’ – Thurs 5 & Fri 6 August

Silver Linings: ‘Bright Rainbow’ – Sun 8 August

Back to Basics: ‘Blackwork‘ – Wed 18 & Thurs 19 August

Back to Basics: ‘Silk Shading‘ – Sat 21 & Sun 22 August

Online Classes

Introduction to Jacobean Crewelwork: ‘Poplar Tree’ – Wed 25 August

From Drawing to Design – Thurs 26 August

Introduction to Goldwork: ‘Buzzy the Bee‘ – Fri 3 September

View all forthcoming Embroidery Classes

We were thrilled to welcome some of our Certificate & Diploma 2021 and Future Tutor Graduates and their families to our base at Hampton Court Palace for our Annual Prize Giving.

For the first time, we broadcast the ceremony through Instagram Live, so that graduates who were not able to attend could ‘take part’ too! If you missed it, you can watch the Awards now through our Instagram page.   Watch the Awards Ceremony here.

Meanwhile at RSN Scotland, RSN Tutor Helen McCook presented Graduate Elizabeth Hay with her Certificate at The Glasgow Art Club, where we also teach the course.

If you are thinking about joining our C&D Online Tuition, we would like to invite you to our next Virtual Open Day on Friday 6 August at 8am UK BST – a perfect time for our Australia/New Zealand/East Asia communities, or before your day begins in UK/Europe.

Coming Soon! We are busy collating a C&D Virtual Gallery, featuring work by our UK and international 2021 Graduates who have learnt across all our teaching satellites – Bristol, Rugby, Durham, Glasgow, Williamsburg USA, Japan and Hampton Court Palace. It will also include several students who have completed their Certificate or Diploma through our Online Tuition, which grows from strength to strength.   Watch this space for news of when it will be live on our website!

Main Image: Future Tutor Graduates Kathryn Sanders and Kate Pankhurst with RSN Chief Executive Susan Kay-Williams and Future Tutors Programme Leader Kelley Aldridge.

Additional images show ceremony at Hampton Court Palace and C&D Student Elizabeth Hay with RSN Tutor Helen McCook at RSN Scotland.