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.

If you are looking for something interesting to do to while away the long summer evenings (or days!), check out Season One of our Online Talks which is now available On Demand.  If you missed any of our popular Talks the first time round or would just like to see them again, you can now sit back and relax in the comfort of home, at a time that suits you. There is plenty of choice, from hearing about our Royal connections to viewing work by our students and embroideries in the RSN Collection.

On Demand – Watch Now

Our new Autumn Season of Online Talks, starting on Wednesday 8 September, is also available to book and we can announce that the winning theme for our November Talk with Amy Hare is ‘Underwear & Nightwear’. Other Talks in the autumn include: Fashion Accessories from our Collection and special guests Liz Elvin and Nicola Jarvis.

Autumn Talks – Book Now

Images of RSN speakers:  Senior Lecturer Amy Hare and Chief Executive Dr Susan Kay-Williams.

Kathryn Sanders is our second Future Tutor Graduate who shares her RSN journey with us.  Kathryn completed the Certificate at RSN Scotland whilst working as a Mechanical Engineer, then decided to ‘turn her life upside down’ focusing on embroidery full time.

“I have been stitching for as long as I can remember. Like many, I learned a few basic surface stitches as a child by making a sampler.  Stitching continued to be a hobby for many years, providing a welcome change from my daily office job as a Mechanical Engineer.

In 2015, I decided to learn a new skill, which was when I discovered that the RSN ran classes in Glasgow, Scotland, my home city at the time. I had often wanted to branch out from the pixilated designs of Cross Stitch, but had never known where to start.

Having no notion about the vast number of embroidery techniques or their characteristics, I really just wanted to give any of them a go! So I signed up for a Goldwork Day Class and I spent a wonderful day learning, surrounded by others who shared my joy and interest. One day, one class and I was hooked!

I did one more Day Class before enrolling on the RSN Certificate in Technical Hand Embroidery course. I felt like a kid in a sweet shop!  Each class quickly became the highlight of my month and I longed to get home from the office to do my embroidery homework.

At the start of 2018, I had almost completed the Certificate course and was starting to think about what to do next. That was when RSN Tutor Helen McCook, who teaches at RSN Scotland, suggested I might like to look into the Future Tutors Programme. There followed a number of nervous, hesitant and excited weeks as I thought about turning my whole life upside down and focusing on embroidery full time. And that’s exactly what I did!

Well, the Future Tutors Programme is not for the faint hearted. It is a truly intense learning experience and I have found myself completely immersed in the world of embroidery for the past three years. Every technique has taught me something new and has its individual challenges, and each new piece has its own character, which revealed itself as it grew.

My final year was spent working in the RSN Embroidery Studio, giving me a tantalising glimpse into the commercial world of the professional embroiderer. It has been a privilege to see, handle and care for a variety of extraordinary embroideries, both historic and modern.

It is with a somewhat strange feeling that I find myself at the end of the course; a mixture of joy and achievement at all I have accomplished; of excitement and anticipation about all my plans for the future. I am currently working on a series of introductory kits which I hope will persuade people to pick up a needle for the first time or maybe try a new technique. My goal for the coming years is to encourage more people to experience the joy of designing and creating their own embroideries; knowing that, as more people find inspiration in embroidery, the techniques will also continue to thrive.”

You can follow Kathryn through her Instagram account.  We wish Kathryn the best of luck on her new chapter of life!  LINK:

More Information on the Future Tutors Programme

We will be running two Day Classes at the D-Day Story, Portsmouth in September and October. Join RSN Tutor Helen Stevens to create a Silk Shaded Daisy on Friday 24 September and an Appliqué Anemone de Caen on Friday 22 October. Each class is part of a special series to celebrate the Overlord Embroidery, which was made by the RSN and on exhibition at the museum.

The Silk Shaded Daisy design is worked mainly in long and short stitch, using five shades of coloured threads. Helen will show students how to blend these shades together to create the classic 3D appearance of painting with a needle. The Daisy symbolises new beginnings and is an apt motif to commemorate a new world era after the successful Allied Invasion of Normandy in June 1944.

The Appliqué Anemone design features the same techniques used in the Overlord Embroidery panels. Vibrant layers of deep lilac and fuchsia silk dupion Appliquéd with Couching Stitches are used in combination with Straight Stitches to create the highlights and depths of the Anemone. You will also create Surface Stitches of long and short, Stem Stitch and French Knots. Helen designed this Anemone de Caen flower motif as the city of Caen in Normandy played a major part in the D-Day offensive.

The classes take place from 10.30am – 4.30pm and are suitable for all levels. Class participants will also receive a free ticket to visit the museum.

The class adhere to current Covid-19 guidelines and the venue has undertaken a comprehensive risk assessment. The museum has achieved the Visit Britain ‘Good to go’ standard.

View RSN Classes at D-Day Story, Portsmouth

 

We are delighted to announce our new Day & Evening Embroidery Classes taking place from September. We have a full programme of different designs and techniques to choose, for all levels. Here is a selection of some of the new classes available to book for the new term.

• Practise, Perfect and Play for 12 days or 24 evenings with our stunning RSN Sampler Series
• Create a beautiful Embroidered Pin Brooch at the Aga Khan Centre in London
• Learn Silk Shading to create an arresting autumnal wreath
• Perfect your Goldwork to embroider Japanese Autumn Blossom

We are also extending the popular Online Technical Tuesdays. You can choose from either Crewelwork Stitches (Daytime or Evening Classes) or new for this year, Blackwork patterns.

And if the heat of the summer is getting to you, don’t worry as we have even been thinking of snowy days and Christmas! Our winter-themed classes include: Metalwork Snow Bunting; Whitework Snowflake; Silk Shading Winter Wreath; Mistletoe inspired by the Lost Dress of Elizabeth I and a Metalwork Gingerbread House.

We are shivering with excitement!

View All Day & Evening Classes.

 

RSN Tutor, Jung Byun, and RSN Studio Embroiderer, Masako Newton,  have their work on display at an acclaimed exhibition at the Aga Khan Centre in London.  The exhibition ‘Making Paradise’ explores the concept of Eden through Art & Islamic Garden Design and runs until 30 September.

To celebrate our partnership with the Aga Khan Centre, we created bespoke hand embroidery classes inspired by ‘Making Paradise’. This September Masako will teach students how to stitch her stunning Hellebore flowers featured in the exhibition and make one up into a brooch. Students will learn Silk Shading and Stumpwork techniques to create a beautiful pink flower lapel pin. The class will take place on Saturday 11 September at the Aga Khan Centre in London’s vibrant Kings Cross and can be booked HERE

Jung’s award-winning* embroidered Peacock mirror is also on display and was the inspiration for a bespoke RSN Online Class in June.

Making Paradise is a multi-sensory exhibition and aims to evoke a sense of delight and wonder around the concept of Paradise. The exhibition invites visitors to be inspired by the visual interpretations of Paradise made by artists from across the world.

More Information about the exhibition

*Jung’s embroidered peacock won a prize at the prestigious Hand & Lock Prize for Embroidery 2019.

Featured images include Masako Newton’s Hellebore flowers, Jung Byun’s Peacock Mirror and Geo Diversity III by Clare Celeste Börsch.  All objects are on display as part of the ‘Making Paradise’ exhibition.