Posted by Andrea Ashfield on 4 October 2018
The Royal School of Needlework is to open its doors for a new exhibition, The Embroidered Home. Running from Monday 28th January at the school's Hampton Court Palace headquarters, the event will reflect on the ways in which homes have historically been decorated with embroidered work. The new display will feature pieces from the RSN's collection, and will illustrate how embroidery has been used to beautify the domestic environment.
The exhibits are worked in a variety of techniques and include bedspreads, sheets, tablecloths, cushion covers and fire screens, as well as smaller items like letter holders and table mats. The exhibition covers a fascinating period of social history, taking in the 19th and 20th centuries, with many pieces telling stories of their own.
“After our look at embroidery in fashion in our exhibition earlier in the year, many people commented that of course, fashion was not the only area of life to be embellished,” says Dr Susan Kay-Williams, Chief Executive of the school. “We now turn to the RSN collection with items that reflect how homes have been decorated with embroidered pieces, from pillowcases to antimacassars. We are sure that our display will evoke many memories for our visitors.”
Tours start from £16 per person and the exhibition runs until August 2019. Visit www.royal-needlework.org.uk for more information.