Craft Focus - Apr/May (Issue 66)

Embroiderers’ Guild, Fine Cell Work and Hand & Lock, and was first unveiled at Central Saint Martins in London before touring the UK. The school works on many lesser-known commissions too – can you tell us more? Our renowned Embroidery Studio has customers from all over the world, including places of worship, fashion and interior design houses and private individuals. Recent larger projects have included a series of vestments for Buckfast Abbey to celebrate its millennium and a collaboration with pop artist, Philip Colbert. On a smaller scale we have created a series of unique gifts including bespoke cufflinks, a football badge and brooch. What kind of conservation work does the school undertake? We create beautiful bespoke commissions for the future as well as bringing historical textiles back to life by conserving or restoring them. Our Studio can help look after fragile, treasured pieces by preventing further damage and breathing new life into the original work. Conservation may include gentle cleaning, surface couching and supporting weak areas. We can also protect very fragile parts by covering them with conservation net. For restorations, we match original thread colours and replace missing stitches, or repair holes in the ground fabric. This April, the school will open its new Animals in Embroidery exhibition. What can visitors expect? The exhibition will feature a menagerie of animals at our Hampton Court Palace base. The showcase opens on 18 th April and will include everything from a wild tiger and flamboyant flamingo to cute dogs and a peckish chipmunk. More than 80 hand- embroidered animals will be on display, showing a range of techniques from silk shading and blackwork to goldwork and Jacobean crewelwork. Designs are from current and former students, together with pieces from our archive collection. What’s coming up next for the school? The RSN is home to an extensive textile collection, which includes more than 4,000 pieces and many thousands of designs. We also have a fascinating archive comprising photos, workbooks and memorabilia. We are currently raising funds to catalogue and digitise the entire collection and make it available online. We are also beginning to plan a number of projects to celebrate our 150 th anniversary in 2022. Animals in Embroidery runs until 18 th December, 2018. Visit royal-needlework.org.uk for details. RSN THROUGH THE YEARS 1875 Receives royal prefix when Queen Victoria becomes first patron. 1910 Makes coronation regalia for George V. 1953 Produces the Robe of State for Elizabeth II and is awarded a Coronation medal. 1969-1974 Creates the Overlord Embroidery: 34 panels depicting the events of D-day. 2002 The Queen becomes patron. 2002 Creates Buckingham Palace balcony hanging for Queen’s Golden Jubilee. 2011 Works for Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen on the wedding dress of the Duchess of Cambridge. 2017 Duchess of Cornwall becomes patron. craft focus 77 company profile