Explore the RSN

Category: News

We are delighted to announce that we will be holding a special embroidery exhibition in Durham at the exclusive World Heritage Site Visitor Centre.

The exhibition will run from Tuesday 31 July to Wednesday 29 August and feature work from current and past RSN Durham students showcasing a wide range of stunning pieces from the Certificate & Diploma Course and Future Tutors Programme.

The exhibition will open daily 9.30am – 5pm, including Sundays and Bank Holidays.

Images below are: Advanced Goldwork by RSN Durham Diploma Student, Jane Drummond and Blackwork by Sally Bird RSN Durham Diploma Student

We have a few last remaining spaces on two of our July classes in Dublin:

One day Introduction to Goldwork Flower on Saturday 7 July and

Two day Intermediate Stumpwork Strawberry design on Tuesday 10 & Wednesday 11 July.

RSN Tutor Pippa Foulds will be teaching these popular classes.

Pippa is a graduate from our Future Tutors programme and worked on a number of exciting projects including one of the pictorial panels on Magna Carta (An Embroidery) for artist Cornelia Parker; The Hardhome Embroidery for HBOs Game of Thrones as well as being lead embroiderer for the RSN at Burberry’s Makers House in conjunction with The New Craftsmen.

Click on the links above to book or contact:  [email protected]  or tel: +44 203 166 6938

RSN Tutors have been busy finishing their stunning embroidery designs for our USA Summer School taking place in July in Lexington, Kentucky. You can see all the class images on our website.

Don’t miss the delicate Silk Shaded Butterfly created by Owen Davies and the beautiful Prairie Rose Stumpwork Brooch by Heather Lewis. Alternatively, certain to set off your taste buds, are Kate Barlow’s candies and Annalee Levin’s Goldwork cherries, and if horses are your passion, then Helen McCook’s Queen’s Silks Metalwork class will be the winner for you!

And not forgetting all the extra evening events you can attend and the special pieces from our Textile Collection that we will bring with us for you to see.

For more information and to book click here.

We are delighted to announce that we will be returning to the Fashion Museum Bath to teach a series of bespoke embroidery classes from 5 May – 15 September.

Bespoke embroidery classes at bath fashion museum

Each class features a different technique and design inspired by clothing pieces in two of the exhibitions at the Museum – ‘A History of Fashion in 100 Objects’ and ‘Royal Women’. The classes will be led by RSN Tutors, Kate Barlow, Deborah Wilding or Lisa Bilby, and include different designs from the exhibition, including a 1740s Silk Stomacher, Queen Alexandra’s Evening Gown, 1800s Baby Shoes and Jane Austen’s Handkerchief.

The workshops are suitable for all levels and run from 10am to 4pm at the Fashion Museum, Assembly Rooms, Bennett Street, Bath BA1 2QH.  Each class costs £80 (kit is paid for at the venue) and includes a ticket to the Museum, valid for one month from the date of the class.

Join us in the art of hand embroidery.

From hand embroidering HRH The Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding dress, an epic 6m x 4m, 3D Game of Thrones embroidery and a designer dress embellished with over 200,000 ostrich feathers, the Royal School of Needlework has worked on a wide array of exciting projects and is a fantastic place to learn.

To find out more and see behind the scenes, click on the video below.

The Royal School of Needlework was founded in 1872 and continues to teach this beautiful skill and develop its relevance for today.  The RSN offers a range of courses, for beginners through to advanced.   Students can choose to study Day Classes, a Certificate & Diploma in Technical Hand Embroidery, a Degree in Hand Embroidery for Fashion, Interiors, Textile Art or the RSN’s Future Tutors programme which trains the teachers of tomorrow.

Email us for more information: [email protected]

We have an exciting programme of Day Classes for the spring and summer time.  Meet a couple of our new wonderful Tutors who have completed the Future Tutors programme – Helen Jones and Auburn Claire Lucas.

Helen Jones

While practising as a solicitor, embroidery was Helen’s safe haven.   Having completed the RSN’s Certificate & Diploma course followed by the Future Tutors programme, stitching has now become her job.

Helen loves to teach; encouraging students who may lack confidence in their skills to play, practise and grow their abilities.  She enjoys investigating the RSN Archive, developing her understanding of a period or type of embroidery then turning it in to a class which others can enjoy.  Last year it was 17th century Stumpwork, next year it might be Ottoman embroidery – watch this space!

From March Helen is teaching in Glasgow, Exeter, Rugby and Hampton Court Palace so take a look at her series of Beginners and Mixed Ability classes for her inspirational designs, as well as teaching on the C&D Intensive this summer.

Auburn Claire Lucas

Auburn had already completed a Degree in ‘Historical Costume for Film and Theatre’ and an Apprenticeship with a Savile Row tailor before becoming an RSN Tutor.  She has taught at the Victoria & Albert Museum London, The British Library and The Knitting & Stitching Shows in London and Dublin.

Auburn’s interest lies in the study and reproduction of historical embroideries from all periods of history, but especially the 18thcentury.  She says: “The embroideries from this period are wonderful.  They are so colourful with multiple techniques being worked together beautifully and there’s so much to learn today from studying these historical pieces.  I’ve always been pleasantly surprised that many of the f undamental practices that I use today, such as ‘pricking and pouncing’, are the same as they were 250 years ago.”

Auburn will be teaching in Bristol, Hampton Court Palace and Exeter from February, with only a few places left on her beautiful ‘Introduction to Embroidery: Japanese Cherry Blossom’ at Bristol and Hampton Court Palace.

 

We have over 80 pieces ready to be displayed in our Embroidery Studio at Hampton Court Palace.  The new exhibition features a wide range of animals from the familiar to the fantastical!  Don’t miss these wonderful life-like embroidered animals and book your Talk & Tour for Animals in Embroidery.

Due to high demand, we have also introduced new Tour & Taster designs of Dexter Dog and Cali the Catfrom September.

Tour & Taster workshops give visitors the chance to enjoy the exhibition in the morning, followed by an afternoon workshop, embroidering a design inspired by the exhibition.

You have a choice of four stunning designs – a Flamingo and Squirrel by Amy Burt, as well as the Dog and Cat by Chrissie Juno Mann.  Make a day of your visit with us and book a Tour & Taster.

RSN Tutor Amy Burt explains more about her Tour & Taster Flamingo and Squirrel designs:

“Silk Shading is my favourite technique and I was asked to prepare kits for the Animals in Embroidery Taster class following everyone’s love of Felipe the Flamingo which I worked for my Advanced Silk Shading technique during my Future Tutors course.  I’m obviously thrilled that Felipe will be on display for visitors to see when they visit the Animals exhibition!  Silk Shading can seem quite simple but you have to be fluid with the stitches which students can find tricky.

For those attending the Felipe the Flamingo Taster class, there are a variety of embroidery stitches:  Long and Short in the wing, split stitch, stem stitch and seeding.  This mix of the stitches helps to achieve a variety of textures, along with giving a greater opportunity to try more than just Silk Shading.

Cyril the Squirrel is all about Silk Shading, as he is the perfect animal to stitch in order to get to grips with Long and Short stitch often used to create a lifelike animal.  He is the perfect combination of smooth and fluffy to give the chance to practice creating texture and realism in Silk Shading.

I’m so excited to teach the Tour & Taster classes during Animals in Embroidery and look forward to opening up the world of stitch to more people!”

Tours start from £16 per person.  To book your place and view the RSN’s ‘roaring’ new Animals in Embroidery exhibition, click here

or email [email protected]

The exhibition is in the RSN’s Embroidery Studios at Hampton Court Palace and only open on set days, so pre-booking is essential.

Does your mother have a passion for embroidery?  Why not treat her to a day at the Royal School of Needlework?  Whether you choose from our wide range of Day Classes, a Tour & Taster workshop, gift from our the RSN Shop or RSN Gift Vouchers, we have the perfect options.

Day Classes

Sunday 18 March: Crewelwork Lamb, Hampton Court – This sweet little lamb is the perfect way to welcome in Spring and teaches colour and shading techniques.

Sunday 25 March: Introduction to Canvas Shading: ‘Scissor Keeper’, Hampton Court – Never lose your scissors in the crowd again with this handy and pretty canvas work design!

RSN Gifts

For stitch-loving mums, an embroidery kit is guaranteed to go down a treat! Or these bright and beautiful shoppers and zip pouches, featuring works of art from the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam are perfect for art lovers.

If you’re stuck for choice, an RSN Gift Voucher means mum can choose exactly what she wants! The voucher can be used against purchases in the RSN Shop, for Day Classes and Studio Tours.

Visit our Online Shop for more inspiration.

Meet Amy Burt who  graduated from the RSN Future Tutors programme in 2017 and read about her love for hand embroidery, the Future Tutors course and what she has done since graduating.

Many of you may already be familiar with Amy’s beautiful work, especially Felipe the Flamingo which featured on the cover of the Friends Summer 2016 Newsletter! Taking inspiration from her flamingo, Amy will also be teaching the ‘Tour & Taster’ classes during our next ‘Animals in Embroidery’ exhibition, which opens on 18 April.

Q. When did you first start stitching and how did you learn about the FT programme?
I first started stitching when I was 5 years old, when I visited my Granny’s house and we had ‘Sewing Days’ together.  She gave me a piece of purple Aida fabric and taught me all of the basic stitches.  From there I learnt to knit a little jumper for my teddy and clothes for my Barbie.  I did Textiles GCSE at school and when I was 18, I worked for John Lewis in the Haberdashery/Dress Fabrics department.  Years later, when I was living in Berlin, my sister had her first baby and I made her a wall hanging and went back to what I had loved as a child…sewing by hand.

In Berlin, I started an internship with a lady who produced leather accessories and I then worked for a restoration company, working on hand embroidered silk wall paper which was part of a castle reconstruction project north of Berlin and it was at that time when I decided I wanted to do this for a living.

My sister-in-law’s parents showed me a TV programme ‘Fabric of Britain’ which featured the RSN at Hampton Court Palace, and introduced me to the RSN – it was like a lightbulb moment!  I did some research, applied for the Future Tutors programme and was accepted to start in September 2015.

Q. What do you enjoy about working at the RSN?
I love being around so many expert fellow Tutors; whether they have been teaching for several years or only for a couple of years, they share their knowledge which is fantastic!  The history of the School is extremely inspiring and I also love the students.  I’m currently teaching the Degree students, C&D and Day Classes, so I teach a lovely mix of people who all have their various reasons and goals for studying at the RSN.

Q. Tell us about key RSN projects you worked on during your studies?
During my Future Tutor studies, I worked on wonderful projects:  ‘Magna Carta (An Embroidery)’, designed by Cornelia Parker; the Nicholas Oakwell Couture ostrich feather gown for the GREAT Britain Campaign, modelled by supermodel Erin O’Connor and worn by Cheryl at the UK X Factor Final 2015; the ‘Nude Series’ for NEO Pop Artist Philip Colbert; the ‘Whitewalker’ for HBO’s Game of Thrones.

Q. What is your biggest achievement as an RSN Tutor?
It’s inspiring to see the students come away from a class happy and wanting to come back to learn more.

Q. What inspires you about being a teacher of hand embroidery?
When students come in to the classroom, they do not expect to see someone like me teaching, they have a preconception of what their embroidery teacher is going to be like.  This gives me drive and I hope that I make the students feel relaxed, as I’m not intimidating.  I’ve become really friendly with some of my students and we stay in contact, they send me pictures of their completed work and I love that!  What more could I ask for than to know that I have given them the same passion that I have for hand embroidery!

For more details on how to apply for the Future Tutors course click here.  The application deadline is 24 March.

We are never sure how our embroidery skills are going to be used from day to day in the Studio.  The following Studio story relates to an interesting application of those skills, showing just how important it is for the RSN to keep the art of hand embroidery alive.

Sokol Books Ltd are antiquarian booksellers, specialising in printed books and manuscripts from the middle ages up to the mid 17th century, including English Bibles, Psalters and Prayer Books.  These often have the luxury of beautifully embroidered bindings, made to be displayed and admired by ladies, in and on, their way to church (some had matching gloves too!).  Unfortunately these bindings are often fragile, having been subject to wear and misuse over the centuries.

Recently Sokol Books acquired a beautiful Bible, with almost no visible fabric, the covers and spine being entirely covered in silver thread worked into intricate patterns and design ie.embroidered. However much of this was loose, lifting from the surface of the material and in danger of being lost.

Our skilled Studio stitchers secured the loose bullion on the front and back of the spine, couched the edge of the Bible and secured the gold, leaves and bird wing. They then reproduced one of the leaves, making it look old and applied it to the binding.

Sokol Books commented:  “The RSN Embroidery Studio has done a magnificent job of restoration and repair. The binding is now sound and safe, and looks exactly as it should be without any obvious signs of the considerable work that must have been done to achieve such a good result.”

For more information on our Embroidery Studio, please click here or call +44 (0)20 3166 6940.

Our Second Year Degree Students have been busy working on a new collaboration with the Devon Guild of Craftsmen.  Inspired by our unique Collection, the students have taken influences from this extensive source, from different countries and cultures, which capture the passion for embroidery across time.

Our Second Year Degree Students’ work is currently on display at the Devon Guild of Craftsmen in Bovey Tracey, Devon.  The exhibition called Off the Surface conveys the diversity of the art of hand embroidery showcasing the students’ contemporary hand embroidery, alongside the traditional treasures from the Collection which inspired the students’ creations.   The exhibition will be in display until Sunday 9 July.

For more details on Devon Guild of Craftsmen click here.

RSN Degree Students have the opportunity to apply their practical skills to a range of live projects and industry collaborations throughout their course. We are proud to have worked with Burberry, Hussein Chalayan and Nicholas Oakwell Couture and Luxury Made. Student work has been exhibited in prestigious galleries including Craft Study Centre at UCA, The New Craftsmen, Mayfair and now the Devon Guild of Craftsmen.

 

The RSN Graduation Show exhibition for our BA (Hons) Hand Embroidery for Fashion, Interiors, Textile Art course opens to the public on Thursday 8th June until Saturday 17th June.

The summer RSN Graduation Show features final project work from our graduating degree students. This course is the only specialist degree programme in hand embroidery. It is validated by University for the Creative Arts. This three year, full time programme of study allows students to build their own personal practice centred on their knowledge of the traditional techniques of hand embroidery. The course has enabled graduates to build their careers as freelance practitioners for couture fashion and luxury interiors; to be textile artists and designer makers working in their own studio or develop careers as studio embroiderers for film costume. Our graduates hone their practice in the art of hand embroidery. This is a specialised portfolio of skills which sets them apart from their peers.

The RSN Graduation Show is held at our studio apartments at the Royal School of Needlework (RSN) at Hampton Court Palace. During your visit you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the unique educational setting that is the Royal School of Needlework. Maybe you too will be inspired to book a day class or short course with us to start your own journey into stitch?

This showcase event is a great opportunity for you to view the extraordinary breadth of hand embroidered works created by RSN Degree students. RSN Studio Project Manager, Sara Meanwell, has featured our current and graduating students work in her most recent blog post. We are super excited to be featured by Sara and hope that this glimpse into the diversity of hand embroidery practice, inspires you to come and visit us.

Due to our wonderful location at Hampton Court Palace, we do ask that you pre-book your time and date to visit. The Graduation Show is open on two booking slots per day – 10am and 2pm. Please indicate at the time of booking which time slot and date you wish to visit. We will also need to know the names of all of your party in advance. This information helps us to ensure that you have time to enjoy and view the work on show.

Please note that the Graduation Show will be closed to the public on Sunday 11th June and Tuesday 13th June.

The Graduation Show offers visitors the chance to spot the creative talent of the future.