Reuse or repurpose, this course module is all about collecting and using waste materials, especially packaging, which are normally discarded.  Collecting materials up front is key to this course, and preparing them for use.  As much as possible, all the materials, except for the base fabric will be used to surface decorate and embroider a base fabric proving that waste materials can be used as a substitute for purchased threads and materials.  Embroidering with alternative threads will include traditional surface stitching, appliqué and manipulated techniques.

‘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.