During this module, students will gain an understanding of the different types of canvas available.  Samples will be worked on single, and double weave canvas, and a firm plain weave linen.  Both basic and alternative canvas stitches will be taught.  Basic will include a guide to the different types of tent stitch and the patterns that can be created, alongside straight, diagonal and cross stitches.  Alternative will include more complex stitches patterns and their history and uses.  Bargello or Florentine patterns will be covered and worked on a firm open linen fabric.  Plus, the use of double canvas and its uses, and how it contrasts to single canvas.

‘Hand Embroidery: Skills and Studies’, is an e-certificated sampler-based course exploring, learning and developing stitch and embroidery techniques, whilst studying and researching traditional, historical, domestic, international and contemporary embroideries and textiles. The course was developed and taught by Tracy A Franklin, and piloted onsite from September 2024.

This is a visual, practical and modular based course, where each module is themed on technique, subject or design, and taught over 6 lessons either onsite, online, or as an intensive course. It is a sampler-based course where four, 2-inch or 5-centimetre squares will be worked each lesson, based on traditional, historical, domestic, international and contemporary study.

Each module has a similar format, and will produce 24 samples in total, which includes learning traditional methods and techniques, and experimenting with new approaches.  The outcome for each student is a personal body of work which can be used as an archive and reference, made into a cloth book, or mount into a body of work.

For more information on the Skills & Studies programme please click here.

You can explore many more stitches in the RSN Stitch Bank.