The 50 essential stitches you need to know, curated by the most prestigious embroidery institution in the world: The Royal School of Needlework (RSN).
Perfect for quick reference, everyday practice and on-the-go stitching, this innovative card deck distils centuries of tradition into a set of 50 practical and contemporary cards.
Whether you're a seasoned embroiderer seeking fresh ideas or a beginner eager to expand your repertoire, this versatile card deck is the perfect gift to guide and inspire you. The sturdy box contains:
- 50 colourful cards, each of which showcases an individual embroidery stitch. The 50 stitches have been carefully selected to provide a broad and varied collection. On the front of each 85 x 140mm (3¼ x 5½in) card is a colour photograph of the finished stitch, accompanied by any alternative names and its historical usage. When you're ready to start stitching, simply flip the card over to reveal clear illustrations and step-by-step written instructions.
- a 16-page booklet packed with the essential embroidery know-how you need to get started, from beginner tips to expert techniques, along with a brief historical overview of the RSN’s rich history.
Embroidery is a living art. The aim of the RSN Stitch Bank is to ensure that hand embroidery is not just kept alive, but flourishes into the future, enabling embroiderers to create contemporary works informed and supported by centuries of experience.
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The deck’s contents has been expertly curated by the Royal School of Needlework, the world’s pre-eminent embroidery experts, and supports the RSN’s groundbreaking online Stitch Bank. The RSN Stitch Bank launched in September 2021 by revealing the first 150 stitches as the official opening of the RSN’s 150th anniversary celebrations. More stitches are added regularly and the RSN work with partners around the world to include stitches from different traditions. The Stitch Bank currently includes more than 500 stitches, divided across 28 disciplines, from crewel embroidery to whitework.
Table of Contents
Booklet
Stitch cards:
Arrowhead stitch
Back stitch
Blanket stitch
Brick shading
Bullion knot
Buttonhole stitch
Cable stitch
Chain stitch
Cloud filling stitch
Coral stitch
Couched herringbone stitch
Couching
Cretan stitch (closed)
Cretan stitch (open)
Cross bar filling trellis
Cross bar with link trellis
Crossed buttonhole stitch
Darning stitch
Detached chain stitch
Detached wheatear stitch
Dot stitch
Double buttonhole stitch
Double herringbone stitch
Feather stitch
Fern stitch
Fly stitch
Fly stitch filling
French knot
Herringbone stitch
Leaf stitch (surface)
Long-tailed daisy stitch
Loop stitch
Pekinese stitch
Pistil stitch
Quaker stitch
Raised fishbone stitch
Running stitch
Satin stitch
Seeding stitch
Single feather stitch
Slanted satin stitch
Star eyelet stitch
Stem stitch
Tête de boeuf stitch
Thorn stitch
Trellis
Whipped back stitch
Whipped chain stitch
Whipped running stitch
Whipped stem stitch
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About The Royal School of Needlework
The Royal School of Needlework (RSN) is the international centre of excellence for the art of hand embroidery and offers a range of courses for beginners through to advanced, ranging from short courses to a Degree.
The RSN teaches at the magnificent Hampton Court Palace in south west London; across the UK; internationally in North America and Japan; and Online, opening its doors to stitch lovers around the world. In addition, the Royal School of Needlework offers Embroidery Services at its Studio in Hampton Court Palace creating beautiful bespoke commissions for the future as well as restoring historical textiles and bringing heirlooms back to life. It also offers online talks and exhibitions at its headquarters that are open to all.
RSN Stitch Bank launched in September 2021 by revealing the first 150 stitches as the official opening of the renowned organisation’s 150th anniversary celebrations. More and more stitches continue to be added as part of the aim to digitally conserve and preserve every stitch around the globe.
