From Physics to Stitches, meet Julian Keeley, a student on the RSN Certificate in Technical Hand Embroidery.  Julian studies at Hampton Court Palace and has completed three of the four techniques for the Certificate – Jacobean Crewelwork, Canvaswork and Silk Shading – and is about to embark on Goldwork.  Read his story.

I studied Physics at university and subsequently worked in the telecoms industry for 30 years.  On reaching 50, I decided on a career change and retrained as a physics teacher.  I taught for seven years in a variety of schools at secondary level.

My mother taught me to knit when I was a boy but that skill had long gone.  One busy year on holiday in Provence, I was too tired to read having been speed reading regulatory documents for months.  My wife suggested that I try completing a small cross-stitch kit she had brought along.  I was initially reluctant but to my surprise I found the craft of stitching absorbing and relaxing.

I went on with various Cross-Stitch projects which culminated in an intricate picture of a Japanese woman which included French Knots, plenty of Back Stitch, and some Couching.  I was intrigued by where embroidery might lead and I was keen to develop the ability to work on my own designs.  I cannot recall where I first came across the Royal School of Needlework but dipped my toe into the water with a three-day Crewelwork course at Hampton Court Palace.

From there it was a matter of looking at opportunities on the RSN website and exploring the possibilities of the Certificate in Technical Hand Embroidery on an introductory afternoon.  The opportunity to study various styles of embroidery was appealing.  I started the course in January 2018 and liked the flexibility of study days.

I’ve now completed three of the four modules for the Certificate – Jacobean Crewelwork, Canvaswork and Silk Shading.  Having practised on the introductory course, I enjoyed the Crewelwork.  My Canvaswork piece is based on a photograph I took on an inspirational trip to Nara in Japan.  The tulip in my Silk Shading was again based on one of my photographs but this time from the wonderful Keukenhof Gardens in the Netherlands.  My last module will be Goldwork on which I have made a start with a design and choice of base material.

I find the colours in embroidery fascinating, the way the colours interact with each other and change as they are seen from different directions.  The process of embroidering is one that I find absorbing.  It is both relaxing and demanding.  My ability at school with art was all but non-existent.  To now find that I have produced a beautiful picture of a tulip, for instance, is most gratifying.

I am enjoying the experience of learning new skills at the RSN.  The RSN Tutors are consistently gentle in approach taking me forward one step at a time.  There have been times when I have felt daunted with so many choices to make on the types of stitches but the Tutors have always been available to help.  At other times, they have quietly instilled me with the confidence that I can push on and complete a section without any more assistance.

The flexibility of the course has proved to be handy as I’ve managed to fit in other activities and to work at the pace which suits me.  The atmosphere in the teaching room is always a delight with all of us concentrating over our frames whilst also learning from the instructions being given to a neighbouring student!  It is good to see the progress which others are making on their own pieces.

I’m now excited to be able to bring together my love of Physics with my new found joy of embroidery.  My Goldwork module will be an exploration of different ways to understand gravitational force from Newton to Einstein.  It may well be unusual to see algebra depicted in embroidery but that is the delight on this course, to be able to explore my own designs and experiences in different techniques.  Each of my pieces has meaning for me and is an expression of my development.

Embroidery is a fascinating art form.  The RSN is a great place to learn to improve one’s skills.

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