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Fashion & Embroidery Exhibition, Birmingham
31st January, 2025
This March, we are thrilled to return to the Fashion & Embroidery exhibition at the NEC, Birmingham, where visitors will immerse themselves in the world of traditional and contemporary embroidery. This year, the RSN’s stand is adjacent to the world-famous Red Dress, conceived by British artist Kirstie Macleod.
About The Red Dress
The Red Dress was created in 2009 and the RSN’s relationship with it started in 2010, when Kirstie was a Tutor on the RSN’s BA (Hons) Hand Embroidery Degree. Then, students worked on some of the original panels and we were delighted when the dress returned to the RSN in 2022 for further embroidery, and it was then exhibited for thousands to view during the RSN’s 150th anniversary exhibition at the Fashion and Textile Museum London. The Red Dress has now been embroidered on to by 380 people across 51 countries and is touring the world.
Inspired by The Red Dress, the theme of our display at Fashion & Embroidery will be the colour red, showing work by our talented Degree, Certificate & Diploma and Future Tutor students and graduates, which will be spectacular against the black walls of the stand. Visitors will be able to explore a stunning showcase of hand-embroidered pieces, from traditional to bold, modern interpretations of classic techniques.
Join one of our Workshops
Anne Butcher, RSN Head of Studio & Standards, will be teaching a 90mins workshop every day entitled ‘International Stitches to Inspire’. Anne has created a motif inspired by a 20th century suzani from the RSN Collection and the amazing Red Dress. A suzani is a decorative, embroidered tribal textile that originated with nomadic tribes in Central Asia, and the word ‘suzani’ comes from the Persian word suzan, which means ‘needle’.
Anne has incorporated international stitches which are often used together, Bokhara couching, originating from northern Germany, and Romanian couching, widely used in Central Europe. The design is edged with Chain Stitch, a versatile stitch used all over the world, originating to 14th century BC, Egypt. The stitches all come together on the red shot silk to result in a vibrant motif. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced stitcher, these workshops provide a rare chance to learn from an expert RSN Tutor in a supportive and inspiring environment.
Visit our Stand
Visit us on stand H30 for a truly immersive experience, discover new embroidery techniques, and leave feeling inspired! We invite visitors to sit alongside our volunteer students to practice hand embroidery on our large frame, which is always a highlight on the RSN’s stand and really brings like-minded enthusiasts together who are exploring all that the world of embroidery has to offer.
Fashion & Embroidery will take place at the same time as The Creative Craft Show and Sewing For Pleasure and entry tickets give you access to all shows. The RSN has received a discount code for all visitors when you use CRAFTSSEW30 at checkout.
Volunteers for The Red Dress Stand
Kirstie will be on The Red Dress stand every morning from 9.30am to 1pm and the Fashion & Embroidery team are looking for volunteers to be on the stand in the afternoon, from 1pm to 5pm (4.30pm on Sunday). Please email Jane Bolsover with your availability before midday on Sunday 9 February. Volunteers will receive up to £30 for their travel and up to £10 for their food, on return of their receipts, as well as an exhibitor pass giving them free access to visit the show in the morning, and any other day of the show.
Register now to visit the Fashion & Embroidery exhibition: https://www.creativecraftshow.co.uk/fashion-embroidery/
Book the RSN workshop: https://www.creativecraftshow.co.uk/fashion-and-embroidery-workshops/
Watch Kirstie speaking about The Red Dress at the RSN in 2022: https://royal-needlework.org.uk/virtual-exhibition/modern-collaborations/the-red-dress/
Work featured:
Canvas Shading by RSN Future Tutor 3rd year student, Eve Commander.
Goldwork by RSN Future Tutor 3rd year student Lucy May.
Silk Shading by RSN Future Tutor Graduate, now Tutor, Sonia Lee.
Workshop design and inspiration RSN Collection piece.