The RSN’s mission is to preserve the heritage and lead the future development of hand embroidery enriching lives by inspiring, teaching and innovating to provide the widest access to our knowledge and skills. we do this through the education, practice and promotion of the art of hand embroidery to the highest technical standard for generations to come. A variety of courses are undertaken by participants from beginners through to highly accomplished stitchers and the introduction of online courses and talks during lock down extended the RSNs reach around the globe. Besides the acknowledged positive contribution to mental health and wellbeing, for many taking part in RSN activities was their only contact with the outside world during the pandemic and we continue to embrace and develop our growing community. Rich in heritage and with unrivalled expertise in the techniques of hand embroidery, the RSN has taken this captivating, traditional art and made it relevant today. RSN Stitch Bank will digitally conserve and preserve every stitch around the globe to become the world’s largest directory of stitches.
The RSN was established in 1872 at a small single site in London to revive and teach the art of needlework and thereby provide suitable employment for poor gentlewomen. In the intervening 150 years we have expanded our activities and extended our reach across the world to protect the future of hand embroidery. Increasingly we have been exploring a more contemporary societal purpose and challenging ourselves to understand better the broader benefits people derive from our activities today. Safeguarding the future of hand embroidery is an outcome that will be achieved if we ensure our activities are appropriate, accessible, attractive and add value to society. This has involved a top-down, bottom-up review to rearticulate the relevance of our work for more modern times.
Our mission is to preserve the heritage and lead the development of hand embroidery, enriching lives by inspiring, teaching and innovating to provide the widest access to our knowledge and skills.
No other single organisation covers the breadth of work now undertaken by the RSN. We use our 150 years of remarkable history, knowledge and expertise to teach, practise and promote the art of hand embroidery underpinned by our values of Tradition, Quality and Innovation.
Our Education Team runs a degree programme and professional embroidery and tutor course for those interesting in pursuing a career in embroidery and we have a range of leisure courses aimed at beginners through to serious hobbyists which are delivered online to participants around the world and in person at locations across the UK and internationally.
Our Studio specialises in creating beautiful bespoke commissions as well as restoring historic textiles and bringing heirlooms back to life. Clients include the British royal family, cathedrals, synagogues, churches and private individuals. We were privileged to have been asked to design and work on a number of items for the coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
We further promote the art of hand embroidery through activities including exhibitions, talks and taster sessions and use our extensive Archive and Collection to inform and inspire. We introduced the RSN Stitch Bank in late 2021 to digitally conserve a record of every stitch worldwide and provide a resource for stitchers. An online retail operation and store at our Hampton Court base also provides a range of products, kits and materials.
