Scroll down for details of other embroidery techniques and courses
Embellished Book Covers
Learn the practicalities of using embroidery and other embellishments and fitting a cover to a notebook. No experience necessary but creative ideas for all.
19 & 20 September 2009 Kelley Aldridge ref 903
Etui Boxes
Learn to make keepsake Etui Boxes in the Victorian tradition. Easy to assemble, these make charming and individual gifts. No experience necessary.
20 & 21 February 2010 Kelley Aldridge ref 036
Using your Button Collection
Bring your button collection and explore the decorative possibilities of buttons with needlework. No experience necessary.
21 March 2010 Hazel Arnott ref 047
NEW COURSE - Embroidered Buttons f
Embroider a set of buttons with miniature designs and mount them on a decorative card for display or use on clothing. Some embroidery experience required.
15 & 16 May 2010 Hazel Arnott ref 064
Creative Stitching - classes for students who enjoy exploring stitch as a medium for artistic development
NEW COURSE - Take a Stitch
An exciting opportunity to explore just one stitch in detail. Experiment with working the stitch in a variety of ways combined with different textures and thickness of threads to see how far we can push the boundaries. These experiments can be combined to create a small landscape developed from a simple design exercise.
04 October 2009 Anne Butcher ref 908
NEW COURSE - Stitch with Feeling
Beginning with the written word as inspiration we will explore traditional stitches and ways of using them to convey emotions, feelings and ideas. You will use stitches to construct personal 'story cloths' and then look at a variety of stitch techniques that add interest, direct the viewer's eye, and encourage you to develop a personal visual language of stitch. We will learn image transfer techniques that use stitch, and build upon our knowledge of needle and thread work. You will need to bring an open mind, and an enthusiasm for hand stitch.
28 & 29 November 2009 James Hunting ref 918
NEW COURSE - Fashion Sampling
Three days sampling techniques suitable for fashion items and building up your own portfolio of stitches and ideas. No experience required.
9, 10 & 11 April 2010 Helen McCook ref 056
NEW COURSE - Creative Smocking f
Get into tea-party mood to make these unusual cup-cake pincushions. Fun to make, with a smocked outer frill and an individual selection of "toppings" they make delightful gifts for any occasion. No experience required.
13 & 14 February 2010 Kate Farrer ref 035
Biscornu Cushions f
Cushions with a quirky eight-sided shape. Biscornu cushions can be embroidered or patchworked and are popular as small gifts especially as an exchange gift with other embroiderers. Learn how to construct a basic Biscornu shape in felt and choose a blackwork or Hardanger kit to take away and make more cushions at home.
20 February 2010 Sophie Long ref 037
Embroidered Greetings Cards
Experiment with mixed media techniques including watercolour, stamping, beading and basic surface stitches to create at least two unique cards.
25 April 2010 Kelley Aldridge ref 061
NEW COURSE - Patchwork & Embroidery f
An embroidered patchwork panel in the Victorian style. A set outline on a calico base will be provided but each panel will have an individual colour theme and a variety of embellishments to create a textured and unique patchwork. Whether you are an experienced stitcher or a beginner this is a medium in which to express yourself. Work at your own pace to create a personal heirloom masterpiece.
02 to 06 August 2010 Shelley Cox ref 085
History - some stitches which were popular in the past are no longer in use today; other historic stitches are enjoying a revival in their original form or have been adapted for contemporary use. If you are interested in how our past influences and shapes our present you will enjoy these classes.
NEW COURSE - Elizabethan Embroidery
The course will teach you the techniques used during this historic time, including linen canvas work, silk detached buttonhole stitch and metallic braiding. The designs will be provided and can be used to be made into an 'Elizabethan Sweete Bag'.
09 & 10 January 2010 Tracy A Franklin ref 028
NEW COURSE - Historic Stitches
Discover how these stitches were used in the context of their time and how they have evolved into stitches we use today.
26, 27 & 28 July 2010 Helen McCook ref 083
Tambour Work
Examine tambour stitch on items in the RSN's Textile Collection and learn to work the technique. The class will include applying beads and sequins by tambour hook and so comes full circle to the present day as this technique is in popular use for couture embroidery. No experience necessary but be aware that tambour work requires dexterous fingers.
29 & 30 July 2010 Kate Sinton-Clark ref 084
Introduction to Machine Embroidery
Try free motion Machine Embroidery. Start with stitch exercises using basic stitches that you can continue practising at home. Progress to embroidering a layered base made from opaque and transparent fabrics. The finished item can be made into a book jacket with a machine wrapped cord. Instructions for the completion of the book jacket will be available to complete the project at home.
21 February 2010 Anne Butcher ref 038
Machine Embroidery on Dissolvable Fabrics
Try three different types of cold water dissolvable fabric; Solusheet; Romeo; Guliette. Embroider a selection of samples in techniques that suit each of the different products. These can be recorded as reference samples or put together to make a small fun bag. Some experience of free motion machine embroidery would be beneficial.
28 March 2010 Anne Butcher ref 050
Peruvian Embroidery
Enjoy learning how to embroider an indigenous Peruvian design with local stitches including "Punto Cadena" (chain stitch) and coloured feathers.
22 & 23 July 2010 Bella Lane ref 082
Introduction to Ribbonwork f
Learn the basics of silk ribbon embroidery as you work a small panel suitable for making up into a box lid, needlecase, scissor keeper or an exquisite picture! Techniques include stitching with the ribbon in the needle as well as gathering stitches. Some surface embroidery will be included to complete the design.
20 September 2009 Shelley Cox ref 905
Ribbonwork Heart
Inspired by the popular Victorian ribbon embroidery, we will work a heart shaped design of tiny flowers in individual colour schemes. Suitable for beginners and those with more experience.
22 & 23 May 2009 Shelley Cox ref 066
