HC103 Native Wildflower: RSN Experience Class at Hillsborough Castle
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£180.00
Please note this is an onsite class which will run from 10am-4pm at Historic Royal Palaces' Hillsborough Castle, Northern Ireland (20 minutes from Belfast)
We are delighted to return to Northern Ireland to partner with Hillsborough Castle and Linen Biennale 2025, with this stunning hand embroidery class at the Castle on Friday 22 August. Your day will include a visit to the Royal Style in the Making exhibition and you will be able to enjoy the glorious gardens until 6pm.
This striking native wildflower species can be identified by its intricately patterned petals. The checked pink and purple pattern is reminiscent of snake skin scales hence its common name, Snake’s Head fritillary. The elegant bell shaped flowers hang from curving slender stems with long thin leaves. Wild snake’s head fritillaries once more common are now classed as vulnerable.
This design provides an introduction to needlelace, which is used to fill the petals and create the distinctive checkerboard pattern. The design also includes a number of surface stitches including back stitch, split stitch, padded satin stitch, chain stitch, couching and trailing. Within the design there is plenty of opportunity to practise these techniques.
All the stitches will be covered within the tuition and you will be provided with a detailed instruction booklet to enable you to complete the design after the class.
This design is stitched in a selection of vibrantly coloured cotton threads on a pink cotton fabric. In order to capture the vibrancy of the plant and achieve three-dimensional shading, threads will be blended in the needle and techniques for transitioning between colours will be covered in the class.
This class is suitable for embroiderers of all levels, although some embroidery experience may be helpful.
The class cost includes all materials and necessary equipment. All aspects of the motif will be covered during the class and a full instruction booklet will be included in the kit to enable you to complete the embroidery at home. You will be able to borrow ring frames and scissors on the day but may like to bring your own embroidery scissors and magnifiers if you need them.
All the stitches covered in this class and more can be found on the RSN Stitchbank.
This event includes entrance to Hillsborough Castle’s 100 acres of historical gardens and to the Royal Style in the Making exhibition. You will be able to visit the gardens and the exhibition after the class until 6pm.
Royal Style in the Making is a captivating new exhibition on display at Hillsborough Castle until 4 January 2026. Unveiling the intimate bond between royal clients and fashion designers, the exhibition shows how the British fashion industry has crafted the iconic style of the British royal women.
The exhibition showcases three stunning outfits, including the extraordinary toile used in the design of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother’s coronation gown, worn in 1937. Original design drawings feature some of Britain’s finest designers including Norman Hartnell, Hardy Amies and Oliver Messel. Don’t miss sketches from David Sassoon, for Diana, Princess of Wales, including her handwritten comments.
The Linen Biennale Northern Ireland is an initiative of R-Space Gallery, Lisburn. It presents a full programme of events, initiatives, and community outreach running from August - October that celebrate the heritage, and future of linen and flax on this Island.
Joining Instructions:
Registration commences at 9.45am in the Clore Learning Centre above the Stable Yard Café. This is at the pedestrian entrance to the gardens from Hillsborough village - 1 The Square, Hillsborough, Co. Down BT26 6AG.
Note there is no parking other than Blue Badge Parking at this entrance – to book Blue Badge Parking or if you have any particular access queries, please get in touch in advance on 02892 681300 or [email protected] Parking spaces are available in the village at the Forest Car Park and on the Dromore Road. Parking in both areas is free of charge. For free on-site parking, please follow the brown tourist signs on the A1 south to our sign-posted car park entrance. Entrance is via the Weston Pavilion. Please note that there is a 15 min walk from the Weston Pavilion to the Clore Learning Centre.
Complimentary coffee and tea will be served on arrival, but please note that in general, food and drink (other than bottled water) may not be consumed in the classroom.
Please bring a packed lunch to eat in a designated space or you might like to visit the Stable Yard Tearooms (open 10.00-16.00) adjacent to the classroom for hot drinks and light snacks. The larger Hillsborough Castle Café (open 9.00-17.00) is a 15min walk from the classroom and offers a full breakfast and lunch service.
Plan your visit to the venue: HERE
Please note this is an onsite class which will run from 10am-4pm at Historic Royal Palaces’ Hillsborough Castle, Northern Ireland (20 minutes from Belfast)
We are delighted to return to Northern Ireland to partner with Hillsborough Castle and Linen Biennale 2025, with this stunning hand embroidery class at the Castle on Friday 22 August. Your day will include a visit to the Royal Style in the Making exhibition and you will be able to enjoy the glorious gardens until 6pm.
This striking native wildflower species can be identified by its intricately patterned petals. The checked pink and purple pattern is reminiscent of snake skin scales hence its common name, Snake’s Head fritillary. The elegant bell shaped flowers hang from curving slender stems with long thin leaves. Wild snake’s head fritillaries once more common are now classed as vulnerable.
This design provides an introduction to needlelace, which is used to fill the petals and create the distinctive checkerboard pattern. The design also includes a number of surface stitches including back stitch, split stitch, padded satin stitch, chain stitch, couching and trailing. Within the design there is plenty of opportunity to practise these techniques.
All the stitches will be covered within the tuition and you will be provided with a detailed instruction booklet to enable you to complete the design after the class.
This design is stitched in a selection of vibrantly coloured cotton threads on a pink cotton fabric. In order to capture the vibrancy of the plant and achieve three-dimensional shading, threads will be blended in the needle and techniques for transitioning between colours will be covered in the class.
This class is suitable for embroiderers of all levels, although some embroidery experience may be helpful.
The class cost includes all materials and necessary equipment. All aspects of the motif will be covered during the class and a full instruction booklet will be included in the kit to enable you to complete the embroidery at home. You will be able to borrow ring frames and scissors on the day but may like to bring your own embroidery scissors and magnifiers if you need them.
All the stitches covered in this class and more can be found on the RSN Stitchbank.
This event includes entrance to Hillsborough Castle’s 100 acres of historical gardens and to the Royal Style in the Making exhibition. You will be able to visit the gardens and the exhibition after the class until 6pm.
Royal Style in the Making is a captivating new exhibition on display at Hillsborough Castle until 4 January 2026. Unveiling the intimate bond between royal clients and fashion designers, the exhibition shows how the British fashion industry has crafted the iconic style of the British royal women.
The exhibition showcases three stunning outfits, including the extraordinary toile used in the design of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother’s coronation gown, worn in 1937. Original design drawings feature some of Britain’s finest designers including Norman Hartnell, Hardy Amies and Oliver Messel. Don’t miss sketches from David Sassoon, for Diana, Princess of Wales, including her handwritten comments.
The Linen Biennale Northern Ireland is an initiative of R-Space Gallery, Lisburn. It presents a full programme of events, initiatives, and community outreach running from August – October that celebrate the heritage, and future of linen and flax on this Island.
Joining Instructions:
Registration commences at 9.45am in the Clore Learning Centre above the Stable Yard Café. This is at the pedestrian entrance to the gardens from Hillsborough village – 1 The Square, Hillsborough, Co. Down BT26 6AG.
Note there is no parking other than Blue Badge Parking at this entrance – to book Blue Badge Parking or if you have any particular access queries, please get in touch in advance on 02892 681300 or [email protected] Parking spaces are available in the village at the Forest Car Park and on the Dromore Road. Parking in both areas is free of charge. For free on-site parking, please follow the brown tourist signs on the A1 south to our sign-posted car park entrance. Entrance is via the Weston Pavilion. Please note that there is a 15 min walk from the Weston Pavilion to the Clore Learning Centre.
Complimentary coffee and tea will be served on arrival, but please note that in general, food and drink (other than bottled water) may not be consumed in the classroom.
Please bring a packed lunch to eat in a designated space or you might like to visit the Stable Yard Tearooms (open 10.00-16.00) adjacent to the classroom for hot drinks and light snacks. The larger Hillsborough Castle Café (open 9.00-17.00) is a 15min walk from the classroom and offers a full breakfast and lunch service.
Plan your visit to the venue: HERE
Booking
11 in stock