From RSN Apprentice to Tutor, learn more about the wonderful, diverse career journey of RSN Tutor and Fellow, Emma Broughton:

“Hi, I’m Emma Broughton, an embroidery artist, RSN Fellow, and Tutor. My passion for embroidery began during a summer lesson at secondary school with RSN Tutor Shelly Cox. That one lesson sparked a love for the craft, leading me to apply for the RSN Apprenticeship program, where I was lucky enough to train and work on incredible projects.

During my Apprenticeship, I worked on a garment for London Fashion Week with Hussain Chalayan, helped the RSN Embroidery Studio team to recreate a watercolour by Basil Alkazzi (his signed print still hangs in my studio), and even designed a tapestry kit for the then-Mayor of London’s wife to stitch the Mayoral Crest into a cushion. I later expanded my knowledge with a Textiles degree at UCA Farnham, which re-shaped my approach to embroidery by using self-designed fabrics—something I first introduced in my Mushroom Box class and plan to develop further with hand dyed fabrics.

One of my proudest achievements was writing and photographing all the boxes for my book, Embroidered Boxes, published by Crowood Press in 2019. Becoming an RSN Tutor, and last year an RSN Fellow, has allowed me to share my love of embroidery not just as a craft but as a form of storytelling. My goal as a Tutor is to make embroidery accessible, inclusive, and filled with creative possibilities. My class designs are mostly drawn from natural forms or from architectural elements near my studio on the outskirts of Salisbury, Wiltshire.

More recently, I was honoured to receive a Developing Your Creative Practice grant from Arts Council England, with the invaluable support of RSN’s previous Chief Executive, Dr. Susan Kay-Williams. This grant gave me the space to rediscover myself as an artist after navigating the loneliness of early motherhood all while dealing with losing my mother within a very short time. It was in this space that my Blackwork portrait project truly took shape; a way to reclaim my artistic voice and tell stories that resonate deeply with me. I realise that my work, starting in my Apprenticeship days, has always taken on a personal form of storytelling in one way or another.

This project was also a second chance to create a portrait that truly reflects who I am today, replacing my Apprenticeship piece. ‘May Day’, is the first in this new series, inspired by a powerful scene from The Handmaid’s Tale, reflecting resilience, advocacy, and the fight for women’s rights. Drawing from Margaret Atwood’s original novel, I’ve woven subtle details into the piece—including a twist on the phrase “Blessed be the fruit”. The stark contrast of black and white with pops of colour is a deliberate choice to challenge portraiture conventions and provoke thought.

I’m thrilled that May Day will be on display at the exhibition ‘Hand Stitched Heritage, at RWA Bristol from 17 May to 13 June 2025.”

Explore the list of Emma’s upcoming Day Classes here

Find out how to become an RSN Tutor