Blackwork is a counted thread technique that was popular in Elizabethan times. It is traditionally worked with black threads over white linen, in detailed repeating patterns or textures. it made a good adornment for collars and cuffs in times when lace was an expensive luxury. however, the fashion caught on, and there is even a …
Category Archives: Royal School of Needlework
Introducing “Dunstanburgh view”: RSN Canvas stitches piece
Time and tide wait for no man. My RSN certificate course progresses, and the next module is canvas stitches. At this point in the syllabus, I technically get a choice between canvas stitches or black work. But I fully intend to carry on after my certificate to do the diploma, and whichever module I choose at …
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Wild Rose: the big reveal
I finished Wild Rose the silk shading piece last friday, and as I sit down to blog about it, I find myself reflecting on the timeline of a project, and how a design brief and a spark of an idea gradually develop and grow into a finished embroidery. For me, a project falls into several …
A new home, a new tutor, and a new project!
Let me get this out of the way straight away: I am really sorry for the long radio silence. Last summer we upped sticks, and moved from our little curatage in Oxford to a new parish in West Yorkshire. With all the packing, moving, unpacking, settling in, transferring my RSN certificate course from Hampton Court …
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Jacobean birdy is finished!
In my imagination, there are literally hundreds of blog readers out there, waiting with bated breath, all asking themselves “But what has happened to Emma’s embroidery? Why hasn’t she sent an update?” To answer the second question first, I have been incredibly, breathlessly busy. I ended up having to finish birdy in an almighty rush …
Pouncing on Birdy, and the arrival of the Serendipitous Butterfly
Post written 27th march – sorry, I wrote it but got behind! My trip to Hampton court last week saw me packed up as if I was planning to move in. Slate frames are not small! Fortunately, I had been given a giant plastic bag for it, which also contained my A3 portfolio with my …
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Getting started with ‘Jacobean Birdy’ – design, colour choice and framing up
On 6th March I had my first day at the RSN, kicking off for my first module in the Certificate. You will remember that the first module is Jacobean Crewel Work, something I haven’t really done before. The first day of the course is given over to design work, framing up, and colour selection. I …
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RSN fire regulations… and bagging a bargain
Hobbycraft selling anchor stranded cotton for next to nothing I have had a fair few emails back and forth to the RSN this week, but before I get in to that, I just have to tell you about Thursday’s trip to Hobbycraft. Then, when you have read that bit, you can all get up, dash …
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