Are you looking to start the New Year with a fulfilling, creative hobby? The RSN Certificate & Diploma in Technical Hand Embroidery Course is an excellent and flexible way to elevate your hand embroidery skills and can be learned from wherever you are in the world.

Meet Jodi Cheng, an RSN Rugby Certificate student from Hong Kong!

‘My journey into hand embroidery began nearly ten years ago. At that time, I was struggling with increasing pressure from my job in Hong Kong as a digital marketer. To find relief from my stressful life, I decided to seek solace in a hobby. Given my fascination with handicraft art, I decided to enroll in an embroidery class, marking the beginning of my embroidery exploration.

During my first embroidery class in Hong Kong, I met my Tutor, who had graduated from the RSN C&D course. Her passion for embroidery skills ignited my curiosity, showing me that embroidery could be something more than a hobby and leading me to further explore the RSN. From the subsequent research I conducted, I began to understand the RSN’s rich heritage. This exploration solidified my aspiration to become a part of the RSN community.

Prior to enrolling in the RSN C&D course, I did not have the chance to take any classes with RSN, as it was not possible to take a class before RSN introduced its online embroidery courses. However, two years ago, my husband and I planned to relocate from Hong Kong to the UK. This move, being one of the biggest decisions in my life, provided me with the opportunity to pursue my dream. To further my embroidery journey, I enrolled in the C&D course at RSN Rugby in September 2022 after attending the C&D open day earlier that year.

My experience with the RSN C&D course is truly fulfilling. Beyond acquiring the art of hand embroidery, I appreciate the warm and inviting atmosphere at RSN Rugby. The professionalism, patience, and passion of my Tutors has been invaluable in creating a conducive learning environment. Interacting with kind and supportive classmates has not only made the journey enjoyable but has also fostered a sense of camaraderie. Making friends and sharing ideas has added significant meaning to my journey.

I am eagerly anticipating learning the Goldwork technique in my current module. Inspired by the Chinese wedding gown, I see similarities between embroidery in Asia and the UK. I am planning to apply the techniques that I have learned from RSN to create a work featuring phoenixes, which are mascots commonly seen in Chinese wedding gowns. I am excited about this project because it is likely to be an interesting fusion of British and Asian culture, aligning with my most cherished memories of my home country, Hong Kong.

Some people say that a piece of embroidery work has its own life and can convey a message. I am deeply touched by such an idea and am learning to share my story with others through my work. During the preparation of my projects in the RSN programme, I attempt to find inspiration from the memories and connections to my hometown.

In the Blackwork project, I chose the image of a young protester as a theme, aiming to convey the courage and determination of Hong Kong people during the social movement of 2019. For the Silk Shading project, I portrayed a Bombay Ceiba flower, reminiscent of the nostalgic view of my old home’s garden in Hong Kong. My use of a sunflower in the Jacobean work project represents my desire for a better future for humanity, as sunflowers symbolise change and hope in the democratic movements in both Hong Kong and Taiwan. Through my embroidery, I wish to share my unique narrative, making each piece a personal and meaningful expression of my experiences.

I strongly recommend the RSN C&D course to those who love embroidery. The entire journey is enjoyable. The course is well structured and organised. While some advanced techniques covered in the course may pose challenges, the professional Tutors offer unwavering support to guide a learner through the progress. The detailed marking scheme also serves as motivation for improvement. Give it a try, and you’ll find the experience to be both rewarding and enjoyable.’

Inspired by Jodi’s story?

Make the first step in your hand embroidery journey, and join one of our upcoming Online Open Days.

Read more about the Certificate & Diploma Course here

Follow Jodi on Instagram here