Welcome to our virtual Anniversary Exhibition ‘150 Years of the Royal School of Needlework: Crown to Catwalk‘. From the 1 April to 4 September 2022 we celebrated our anniversary with a special exhibition at the Fashion and Textile Museum in London, taking visitors on a journey through our remarkable history. If you weren’t able to visit (or wish to see it again!) we are delighted to be able to bring elements of the exhibition to you virtually, so that you can enjoy them wherever you live.

The virtual exhibition features collaborations with the great names of the Arts and Crafts movement in the 1890s; pieces from our vast Archive Collection; projects by our talented students, past and present; as well as work for the armed forces and places of worship.

Introduction

A word of welcome from our Chief Executive, Dr. Susan Kay-Williams

Find out about the Collection

Art Needlework

Mostly for interiors, these pieces required a team working to a common standard

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Fit for a Queen

The RSN has made items for many members of the Royal family, and for every coronation of the 20th Century

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With Honour

From our famous 'both sides alike' embroidery to therapeutic stitch for returning soldiers

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Sacred Spaces

The RSN has worked with churches in Britain, North America and even further afield

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Dans la Chambre

Lingerie was a mainstay of the RSN workroom during the 1930s, with clients including Royalty and high society

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Training School Diploma

After a push to promote technical education, this training programme ran from 1895 - 1961, graduates would go on to teach all over the world

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Apprenticeship

Almost all the core members of the RSN Embroidery Studio today came through the Apprenticeship Programme

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Modern Collaborations

The RSN has worked with many designers and artists throughout its history, todays collaborations involve both the Studio and our degree students

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Certificate and Diploma in Technical Hand Embroidery: Skills for the Future

Introduced in the 1990s, these part-time courses are open to all, both onsite and online

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Training the Next Generation - Future Tutors Programme

Our Future Tutors are challenged to take both technical excellence and aspects of design to the next level

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Traditional Skills - Contemporary Design Degree

After beginning in 2009, our degree students have gone on to work in film costume, haute couture and fashion, or as designer-makers

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RSN Embroidery Studio

Originally known as the Workroom, the RSN Embroidery Studio is the backbone of the organisation

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RSN 150th Anniversary Shop

Exclusive products to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the RSN

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RSN 150 Forward Campaign

Help us secure the future of Hand Embroidery in an ever-changing world

Find out more