Please note this is an RSN Experience Class at Hampton Court Palace

Join us for an exclusive historical stitch hand embroidery class inspired by a 1650s silk panel on display at our new Tales of Textiles exhibition. Your day will include a private highlights tour of the exhibition with RSN Curator, Dr Isabella Rosner.

RSN Tutor, Helen Jones, will teach you how to stitch this beautiful motif using a range of historical stitches. The class is inspired by a treasured 17th century silk object recently digitised by our Curators: HERE

The delicate flower motif is worked in 17th century style Long and Short Stitch which is less structured than today’s version. Other stitches include Laid work, French Knots, Stem, Fly and Feather. It also incorporates silk wrapped purls.

The design is worked on satin using floss silks. Some experience of using floss silk, which handles in a different way to thread with a twist, might  be beneficial. The needles used are fine: embroidery 10s and 12s.

The class kit will include everything you require to complete the project. You may like to bring your own embroidery scissors but you will be able to borrow ring frames, scissors and magnifiers (if needed) on the day.

Please bring a packed lunch and any drinks you may require during the day. You may also decide to purchase lunch from Hampton Court Palace's Privy Kitchen.

The 1650s Panel:

The circa 1650s silk panel which inspired this class would have originally belonged to a small casket. Embroidered casket panels were often made by teenaged girls as part of their education in mid to late seventeenth-century England. Casket panels were also made by professional embroiderers.