Royal School of Needlework

Yesterday I took a group of Friends of the Ashmolean to the Royal School of Needlework at Hampton Court Palace. It was the first trip I have organised for the Friends. It was a wonderful day. The weather was perfect, the group was a pleasure to be with & Hampton Court is a stunning location.

I won't say all went smoothly. There was some confusion over numbers & coach boarding points. One "Friend" was taken ill & had to go to the Palace sick bay, so sadly missed the RSN. It was just like being a primary headteacher again taking a school trip, except that these were sentient adults.

Hampton Court is massive. The RSN is in 3 cramped rooms & a tiny lobby & shop. How they cope I have no idea. The current exhibition "Inspired by the Garden" is wonderful. Words can't describe the skill, stitching & colour. All done by human hand & eye. Some of it so fine it defies comprehension. One strand of thread at a time gives subtle colour variation which is sublime. In the workroom people were doing skilled conservation work on old pieces of embroidery as well as new commissioned work.

English embroidery has a very long history of the highest skill. It is good to know that there is this small pocket keeping that tradition alive & well. It is also important that the degree & other courses continue to push the boundaries of what can be achieved with new materials & techniques. 

I specialised in textiles & embroidery at college & have had a lifelong love of everything to do with it. It is a fine art which is sadly lacking in the modern education curriculum. It is not just a girly medium. Some men do wonderful work too. Fortunately it is something which many adults discover & keep alive. We also have really good City & Guilds courses.

Embroidery is very theraputic & can be very creative. Give it a go.