Royal School of Needlework
Welcome to the Royal School of Needlework To teach, practise and promote the art of hand embroidery
Public Benefit
The Royal School of Needlework contributes to public benefit in many ways:-
-
We are the only organisation continuing to train people in the techniques of traditional hand embroidery
-
Many of our students go on to use these skills in community projects, such as being part of church or cathedral stitching groups (eg at St Paul’s Cathedral, Canterbury Cathedral, Durham Cathedral) or to work on commemorative projects (eg the Guildford embroidery being stitched for 2012). Those who have been taught at the Royal School of Needlework have learnt how to work to the same standard, so on any group project there will be one cohesive, overall look
-
We work with a number of community projects to teach hand embroidery, showing how much it can cross cultural divides, eg with Bridging Arts, and Richmond Adult Learners' Week
Our Studio is often selected to work on projects because we’re ‘the only people who could do something like this’. Our work, both new and restoration is seen by hundreds of thousands of people every year, for example
-
Six pieces for English Heritage for Dover Castle in 2009 (300,000 visitors annually)
-
The central nave altar frontal at Canterbury Cathedral (used all year-round)
Even where the numbers are smaller, perhaps just family and friends, the effect can be profound. As one customer wrote: “it nourishes my soul on a daily basis” after taking receipt of his new, bespoke commission.
