Foundation Degree in hand embroidery

Foundation Degree in hand embroidery

In September 2009 the Royal School of Needlework will launch the only Foundation Degree in hand embroidery in the UK.

The Foundation Degree will be a full-time two-year course held at Hampton Court Palace.  The curriculum will cover three areas

1.  learning the techniques of hand embroidery to the RSN standard
2. contextual studies to help you understand the use and history of the techniques
3. art and design in order to develop the ways in which you might use the techniques going forward

Being a Foundation Degree, many of the projects within the course will be linked to work-based learning and there will be opportunity in the second year to pursue work placement in the RSN Studio as well as with other companies.

Techniques likely to be covered include crewelwork, blackwork, whitework, silk shading, stumpwork, goldwork, appliqué and canvaswork. The course will end with a final project developed by each student individually in negotiation with their tutor.

Course Leader

James Hunting has been appointed Foundation Degree Course Leader. He is a renowned hand-embroiderer with a background in couture. He was Embroiderers' Guild Scholar in 2006 and has exhibited internationally. He has taught workshops all over the UK from Heriot Watt University to West Dean. He will spearhead the art & design component of the course encouraging students to use the traditional techniques and stitches in innovative and exciting ways.

What's available after the Foundation Degree?

Students will be able to continue their studies taking a one year honours degree top up through UCA Farnham in Textiles. This will offer students the opportunity to explore stitch in a wider context.

Alternatively, by 2011 the RSN will launch a one-year honours top up degree programme in hand embroidery. Foundation Degree graduates may choose to go straight into work or they may take a top up degree in hand embroidery at the RSN, or do a top up degree elsewhere in related subjects such as textiles, fashion, fine art or costume.

How do I apply?

Applications will normally be by UCAS form and the RSN's UCAS numbers are:

Route A Entry W711;  applications by 15th January, open day 18th February

Route B entry E711; applications by 24th March, open day 16th April

Please go to the UCAS website and select Course Search/Search by subject letter e

Select Embroidery then All Embroidery Courses and go to University of the Creative Arts UCA

Please do not go to Foundation Degrees as we are not yet in these listings. The Entry Profile is also in the process of being completed.

Costs

The 2008/09 costs are

The costs for 2009/10 are yet to be set

Other charges

In addition, students will need to budget for costs of materials and visits to museums and galleries.  An allowance of £150-200 per annum should be adequate.

What can I do now?

We will be interviewing most candidates.  At the interview we will want to see evidence of your work in art, design, written pieces and stitched work.  If you do not currently have these, you could make a start by beginning sketch books, or trying some small embroidery kits.  We are looking for potential, interest and enthusiasm - not expertise at this stage.

International candidates will be asked to submit images of their work on CD with a taped or written commentary.

In preparation for the course interviews and the course itself you should try to go to as many galleries and museums as you can - especially those that are free. Find those that specialise in textiles but also look generally at the depiction of textiles in art.

You could also undertake some reading.  The following are suggestions only.  Just use these as cues as any books about the periods and subject area will help build your knowledge.

Arts and Crafts movement/William Morris

e.g. William Morris ed Linda Parry

Books on the history of embroidery

e.g. books by Mary Gostelow, Lanto Synge

Books on textiles from China and Japan and their influence on the West

e.g. Japonisme by Siegfried Wichmann

Books on textiles in historic houses/palaces etc.

e.g. Hardwick Hall, Lady Lever Art Gallery, Sudeley Castle

Books on techniques and how they were used

e.g. 18^th century techniques by Gail Marsh

Books on colour/design

e.g. Colour and Culture by John Gage

Books on fashion linked to embroidery

e.g. Golden Age of Couture by Claire Wilcox

Books on fabrics etc.

e.g. Silk by Mary Schoeser

Questions

If you have any questions about the course, please email them to

Gill.holdsworth@royal-needlework.org.uk

We are compiling responses to frequently asked questions and these will appear on the website.

Unfortunately we cannot respond to questions about the course by phone at this time.