Hand Embroidery: Skills and Studies

‘Hand Embroidery: Skills and Studies’ is an exciting new course which started in September 2024 at RSN Durham. The course has been developed by RSN Tutor Tracy Franklin. Learning is based on skills – exploring, developing and sampling stitch ideas, and studies – examining and researching hand embroidery.

The course is modular, taking a different theme each time such as a specific stitch or an element of a technique. The first module theme was Knots. The current topic is Trellis. Future themes will include canvas, couching and shading.

Each module has a similar format which includes learning traditional methods and techniques and experimenting with new approaches. Students have time to explore the stitch/technique in detail considering line, texture, colour, tone (value), shape, space, and form, as appropriate.

Students are encouraged to think about concepts such as contrast, proportion, direction, scale, rhythm, repetition etc.

An important part of each module is investigating contemporary and historic embroideries, both domestic and international.

The outcome for each student is a body of personal work in the form of samples, traditional and contemporary, and research. Students are encouraged to share their explorations, images and text, within the group and to contribute their work to a visual collection of stitch which will grow over time.

Each module is complete in itself and consists of six sessions running over a term. All days run from 10 to 4 with a break for lunch. Over the course of the module students are expected to complete all work from each session. There are no compulsory modules and there is no particular order. Students can choose which to complete. The cost is £750 per module, payable in advance. The maximum number of students is 10.

Forthcoming modules open for booking

DURHAM (onsite) – 10am to 4pm:

Purls– 2^nd October, 23^rd October, 13^th November, 4^th December 2025, 15^th January and 5^th February 2026. (3 spaces remaining)

Knots– 3^rd October, 24^th October, 14^th November, 5^th December 2025, 16^th January and 6^th February 2026. (5 spaces remaining)

Pattern– 26^th February, 19^th March, 7^th May, 28^th May, 18^th June and 2^nd July 2026. (1 space remaining)

Grids– 27^th February, 20^th March, 8^th May, 29^th May, 19^th June and 3^rd July 2026. (7 spaces remaining)

Knots (intensive course) – APRIL 2026: Tuesday 21^st, Wednesday 22^nd, Friday 24^th, Saturday 25^th; Tuesday 28^th, Wednesday 29^th. (7 spaces remaining)

ONLINE – 2pm to 8pm:

Knots – 30^th September, 21^st October, 11^th November, 2^nd December 2025, 13^th January and 3^rd February 2026. (3 spaces remaining)

Knots – 1^st October, 22^nd October, 12^th November, 3^rd December 2025, 14^th January and 4^th February 2026. (Fully booked)

Grids – 25^th February, 18^th March, 6^th May, 27^th May, 17^th June and 1^st July 2026. (Fully booked)

Grids – 24^th February, 17^th March, 5^th May, 26^th May, 16^th June and 30^th June 2026. (10 spaces remaining)

Get in Touch

Get in touch with us to register your interest or find out more about our course! Or take a look at our Frequently Asked Questions.

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