The RSN is regarded world-wide as a quality specialist provider of training in technical embroidery. The RSN Certificate is the organisation's own qualification and is devised to equip students with the skills necessary to produce fine quality work to high standard.
This qualification enhances the former Certificated Course and has been devised for you to learn practical skills and perfect the art of technical stitching. Learning any skill to mastercrafstman level takes hours of tuition and practice. The course is planned to give you the time and attention from a tutor that is required to master complex technique. Students who gain an RSN Certificate are able to progress to the RSN Diploma.
The course is practical - there is no written work involved. An element of design work is included with each technique and there will be optional Design Days throughout the year where students can choose to develop their personal knowledge of art and design.
The course has very flexible attendance options if you work or have family commitments. A timetable and individual learning plan to suit your requirements is devised with the tutor. There is no group class teaching - on each day you will find students working individual projects at different stages of completion.
Entry Requirements
A little experience of embroidery; an enthusiasm for the subject and commitment to the course. No formal qualifications are required. Design as such is not included in the assessment of the embroidery at Certificate Level - the emphasis is on the technical stitching and executancy of the piece.
The RSN Certificate offers the student an opportunity to:
Develop technical skill
Master a range of stitches in each technique
Learn how to make the best choice of stitches for the design
Develop accuracy when stitching
Use professional equipment
Develop an understanding of the use of appropriate materials for each technique
Mount each embroidery in an appropriate manner so the work will withstand the passing of time and be available for future generations.
Syllabus:
Four core techniques to be completed:-
1. Jacobean style crewelwork
2. Basic Natural Long & Short Shading
3. Basic Goldwork
4. A choice of one of the following:
Canvas Stitches OR Blackwork
(Each technique will require a minimum of eight days tuition to complete)
Attendence Options for the Certificate:
There is a choice of attendance options to enable you to fit this course to your lifestyle and circumstances.
From September 2010 you can also opt to study the Certificate Course on Saturdays at Hampton Court Palace.
Option 1: Hampton Court Palace
You can opt for the traditional full academic year and attend from September to June (36 weeks) for one, two or three days a week. This is an ideal way to really concentrate on the programme. Attending for one day a week for a full year you will gain the Certificate. Attending for two or three days a week for a full year you will gain the Certificate and Diploma within the year.
Option 2: Hampton Court Palace
If full attendance is not a possibility, perhaps because of work or family commitments or because you live abroad, you can book for eight days tuition in order to work one technique at a time. The days can be at any time during term times from September to June.
You can attend at regular weekly intervals;
Or for two or three consecutive weekdays every month;
Or for two or three consecutive weekdays every term
At the end of eight days you should have completed one technique - and then you can either move straight on to start another technique or you can have a break before starting again. You have five years in which to work the required number of techniques for the Diploma.
Option 3: Durham City, County Durham in the North East of England
You can attend the course over two to five years attending for sixteen set days - eight in the autumn term and eight in the spring term.
Option 4: Hampton Court Palace, Durham City and San Francisco USA
You can work the course intensively in short sessions over five years.
On set dates we offer two-week sessions of eight days' intensive learning to complete a technique within two weeks. You do not have to attend the same centre each time - it may suit you to attend Hampton Court or Durham one summer and then San Francisco the following spring to continue. Each centre works to the same standard and assessments made are by the same rigorous methods.
How can we be so flexible with attendance options?
Class tutor groups are kept small. A timetable and individual learning plan to suit your requirements is devised with the tutor. There is no group class teaching - on each day you will find students working individual projects at different stages of completion. Our embroidery tutors are RSN Graduate Apprentices who have learnt all the techniques offered to professional standard. Our tutors are also professional embroiderers working regularly on customer commissions with the project planning and problem-solving that this involves. They have a wealth of experience of taking classes where up to six techniques may be taught at any one time.
Assessments and the RSN
All students' work is continuously assessed both by you the student and your tutor. At the end of the module the work is formally assessed by your tutor and another tutor who has not taught you. A sample of all work is examined at the end of each year by an external verifier ensuring that the high teaching standards are maintained.
Students are measured up against the finest embroiderers in the world and the gradings are much higher than other comparable courses. The gradings of the final percentage are:-
Pass 65% to 79%
Merit 80% to 89%
Distinction 90% to 100%
It is a great achievement to gain a Pass on an RSN Course and this is what our tutors are aiming for you to accomplish. If you gain a Pass grade you can be assured that your work is of the appropriate standard required by the RSN. The assessment process is optional, so your work need not be assessed. However, a Certificate cannot be awarded for work that is not formally assessed.
For more information contact: Jessica Aldred T: +44 (0)20 3166 6938
E: jessica.aldred@royal-needlework.org.uk
