Educated in Embroidery

Kate completed her RSN Apprenticeship with Distinction after gaining a degree in Art for Public Space. Upon completion of the Apprenticeship Program from the Royal School of Needlework, Kate went on to complete a PGCE in education. Kate is passionate about teaching and has a strong ethos for retaining the heritage and skill of hand embroidery.

Kate teaches a wide range of traditional embroidery techniques. She has a natural flair for design and her designs are inspired by heritage. Kate’s classes are relaxed and friendly, and students are encouraged to develop embroidery skills at their own pace with the help of Kate’s clear instructions.

Kate’s online classes are taught through zoom and run on Tuesday evenings and some Thursday evenings from 7.30pm-9.30pm. All the class costs listed below include online tuition, kit and kit postage. As part of the online classes Kate also offers her students ongoing feedback.

Kate also teaches groups and individuals privately. Should you have any specific requests Kate can usually accommodate them. Please contact Kate for further details.

Online – Silver Snowdrop – 11th, 18th, 25th January and 1st of February 2022 from 7.30pm – 9.30pm

Learn the art of metal thread embroidery in this exquisite silver snowdrop design with a pure silk dupion background. You will explore many essential techniques within this design. In the first class you will learn how to pad metalwork embroidery with two types of padding; felt padding and string padding. In the three subsequent classes you will explore the following techniques; pearl- purl, couching, cutwork, s’ing and basketweave. This class has been designed as four sessions so that you will learn at an appropriate pace to the design.

The class cost is £190 to UK students and £215 internationally.

Online – Developing Surface Embroidery Stitches – Claris Cliff Inspired Teapot 8th, 15th of Feb and 1st March 2022 from 7.30- 9.30pm

This class will develop your skills leading on from an Introduction to surface embroidery stitches. Working to a set design inspired by Clarice Cliff, we will provide all the materials you need. You may have worked the Claris Cliff teacup as an Introduction to Embroidery prior to this. The teapot would sit nicely beside the cup. In this class your skills will be stretched by teaching you a wide variety of stitches including padded satin stitch, chain stitch, coral stitch, herringbone stitch, seeding and fishbone along with many more.

The class cost is £100 to UK students and £125 internationally.

Online – Whitework Easter Bunny -8th, 15th and 22nd of March 2022 from 7.30pm – 9.30pm from 7.30pm – 9.30pm

Get ready for Easter with this pretty whitework design! This design is aimed to develop your embroidery skills, you will start off with more basic techniques. Throughout the classes you will progress steadily onto more advanced techniques. Techniques that you will learn include; pulledwork, drawn threads, surface stitches, ribbonwork and eyelets.

The class cost is £115 to UK students and £140 internationally.

Online – Whitework Cutwork and Richelieu Love Birds – 29th , 31st of March, 5th, 26th and 28th of April 2022 from 7.30pm – 9.30pm

This class is designed for intermediate through to an advanced level of whitework embroidery. A beautiful design with two love birds holding branches to form a heart. This design can be adapted to have a couple’s initials stitched within to form a ring cushion. This course will enable you to explore techniques of cutwork and Richelieu.

This series of five classes will cover the following techniques; trailing, satin stitches, surface stitches, cutwork buttonhole bars, cut eyelets and stiletto formed eyelets.

The class cost is £210 to UK students and £250 internationally.

This class is at the design stage, please keep an eye on my website and social media for my progress with this piece.

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Online – Silkshaded Fuchsia – 3rd, 10th and 17th of May 2022 from 7.30pm – 9.30pm

Develop your skills in the sumptuous technique of silkshading. This elegant fuchsia design on silk background fabric will enable you to learn how to mix colours to create differing shades. Kate has designed this kit so that you will have a good grounding and ability in filling and shading within different shapes. In this series of classes, you will master long and short stitch and confidently be able to turn angles within designs. As part of the design you will also learn stem stitch, bullion stitch and split stitch.

The class cost is £100 to UK students and £125 internationally.

Online – Goldwork Seashells – 31st of May and then 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th of June 2022 from 7.30pm – 9.30pm

The design is set on two pieces of coloured silk dupion to emphasise the beach setting. This kit has been designed by Kate to further students’ skills to an advanced level. If you have experienced some metalthread work before, then this could be the class for you. In the first session you will learn how to pad your design with both felt and string. Subsequent classes will be paced so that students become skilled in goldwork techniques. Techniques that you will cover include; Pearl- purl, couching, chipping, cutwork and platework.

The class cost is £240 to UK students and £280 internationally.

Online – Chrysanthemum Celebration – Silk and Gold from the RSN Collection- 13th, 15th, 20th, 27th September and 4th October 2022 from 7.30pm – 9.30pm

Celebrating the RSN’s 150th anniversary with the Kyoto Piece. This piece inspired me to enrol onto the Apprenticeship programme at the RSN. I was absolutely staggered by the scale and sheer beauty in this piece when I first came into the RSN and still admire it to this day.

The chrysanthemum, called “kiku” in Japanese, symbolises the country itself. The monarchy is referred to as the Chrysanthemum Throne. The Chrysanthemum also symbolises joy, longevity and loyalty. Very appropriate to mark the RSN’s 150th Celebrations.

If you enjoy combining techniques and building different textures with stitch, then this could be the course for you. Sumptuous threads, surface embroidery and lustrous goldwork techniques really create a stunning combination.

The class cost is to be confirmed.