The RSN Certificate & Diploma in Technical Hand Embroidery is a wonderful way to learn hand embroidery skills and techniques both Online and Onsite.

Meet Diploma Student Nola Emmett, who shares her experience of the Certificate & Diploma (C&D) course, at Hampton Court Palace.

“In 2010, my daughter and I travelled from Australia to the UK for a lengthy holiday. As part of the travel plans, I looked for activities to do while we were there. I had previously studied fashion and textiles and while my children were young, I had a small dressmaking business, which I operated from home. So, when I was searching the Internet for things that related to my interests, I found the RSN website and saw that we could do workshops at Hampton Court Palace.

We signed up for a two-day Stumpwork workshop, featuring Peter Rabbit with Tutor Jacqui McDonald. I was hooked on the whole thing.

I decided to return to London the following year, to begin the Certificate course in Technical Hand Embroidery. My first technique was Jacobean Crewelwork with Shelley Cox, who is a brilliant Tutor. I then returned each year to complete the 4 techniques during the Summer Intensive Programme.

I took a break in 2015, when my first grandchild was born, but I continued to do workshops closer to home, particularly with Nicola Jarvis whenever she visited Australia. In 2016, I arrived back in London to begin the Diploma course.

My first technique was Appliqué with Shelley and Jen, what a great team! During the next two years, I finished the Appliqué and started Canvaswork, which I particularly enjoyed.

In 2019, I was extremely fortunate to be offered free accommodation in London by a wonderful friend, so I decided to take advantage of that, and spent three months at Hampton Court Palace completing the Canvaswork, Silk Shading and Advanced Goldwork modules.

On my days off, I also volunteered at St. Paul’s Cathedral with the embroiderers, repairing vestments and other pieces. Then along came 2020 and everything it threw at the world. Due to this and a change of living situation, I haven’t managed to finish what I started. I am determined to though, and hope to return to London to do so. The atmosphere at the palace is mesmerising and I would recommend experiencing the world of embroidery through the RSN!”

Are you interested in learning technical hand embroidery? Find out more about the RSN’s Certificate & Diploma Course by attending our next Online Information Session on Tuesday 21 May 2024 at 3pm (UK time). Book here.