If you would like to host your own RSN Sip & Stitch event, there are many different places to hold it.  Perhaps you are part of a stitch or craft group and you can sip and stitch in your usual venue.  You may decide to host the event in your home, in a community centre, in your office or, if the weather is nice, meet in the park.

Have you recently taken Online Classes with like-minded stitchers at the other end of the country or on the other side of the world?  Why not organise a convenient time online for different time zones to include the maximum number of guests, and make it a truly international event!

We have created lots of free resources to help make your event a success.  Take time to look through all top tips and ideas, choose your date and start inviting your guests!  Event ideas range from setting a challenge to use the most unusual stitches to a relaxing Mindfulness theme.  View all Event Theme ideas.

There are also a variety of free stitch designs ready to download, including a cup of tea or slice of cake, to a Christmas star and autumnal leaf.  View all Stitch Designs.

We have provided lots of inspiration to get your creative juices flowing as well as practical advice on running your event and fundraising below.

If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].

 

Getting Started

Date: Choose a date that works best for you and your guests. RSN Sip & Stitch 2023 will take place during the first week of November: launching on Friday 3 November and running until Friday 10 November 2023. If you are unable to host your event during that week, you are welcome to host it on another day.

Time:  Depending upon the size of your event, give your guests anywhere from two to four hours to create their embroidery and enjoy the gathering.

Venue: Hold your event at home, work, your favourite café, your local community centre, in your garden or online!

Food: Whether you bake cakes, make sandwiches or canapés, you could also ask guests to bring something too.  You could even give a prize to the best one!

How to Raise Funds

Here are some ideas on how to fundraise.

  • Ask your guests for a donation to attend
  • Ask guests to give a donation for any nibbles and drinks on offer. You can also encourage your guests to bring some tasty sandwiches and cakes to add to the spread.
  • You can supply materials and threads and ask guests for a donation to use them. We know that embroiderers often have a growing stash at home.  Or if you are a guest, you could bring your own stash and ask for donations to help raise funds as part of the event.
  • Put a set number of beads in a jar and ask guests to guess how many or bake a cake and guests can guess its weight. Encourage your guests to make a donation when they make their guess.  The host can supply a small prize (for example, one of our exclusive Anniversary Collection products) or they could win the item they are guessing about!
  • Have a collection tin next to your bakes to make it easy for people to add any spare change.

NB: If you plan to Gift Aid your donations, the food and drink available at your event can not be individually priced, instead guests can donate monies to help raise funds.

Information on how to donate

Be Prepared for your Event

Before you go ahead with any fundraiser, it is really important that you read this information.

Food
It is important to follow food hygiene rules when serving food at an event.  For more information and guidance visit the Food Standards Agency

Licences
Check if any licences are required for your event. For example, selling alcohol and playing music.  For international participants, please check with your local licensing agencies.

Insurance
When you’re holding an event at any venue, always double check that they have the right insurance to cover you throughout. If they don’t, you might have to get your own public liability insurance for the day.

Risk assessments
Ask your venue for a copy of their risk assessment. They might also ask you to complete a risk assessment before the event, too.  If you are holding an event at home it is always worth having a quick look around with ‘fresh eyes’ to see if you have any possible hazards for other people that you are used to living with and take suitable action.

Liability
The Royal School of Needlework cannot accept any responsibility for your event, nor for anyone who participates in it.

Remember you can always get in touch with us at [email protected]

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