RSN Stitch Bank: The Embroidery Stitches Card Deck: 50 Essential Stitches
RSN Stitch Bank: The Embroidery Stitches Card Deck: 50 Essential Stitches
By The Royal School of Needlework
Search Press
How to choose the top fifty stitches? How to decide the import and relevance to store in a card form? That has been the debate for the RSN, the high royal like status organisation who still old a wedge in the world of embroidery. Will they make you want to stitch?
What is the RSN Stitch Bank?
The RSN Stitch Bank is essentially a resource which has been lovingly curated, sorted and gifted to us, comprising of many stitches (check out their website)
The Royal School of Needlework was founded in 1872 with a mission to preserve the art of hand embroidery. Traditional stitches and more modern ones have all been added as an ongoing project; giving it the name ‘stitch bank’. This was developed to mark the 150th Anniversary of the RSN and it symbolises the ongoing, the forward, unending life of this art form. It is supported by many organisations including Search Press, who have published this card neck, using fifty of its stitches.
The card decks style
You will open the sturdy card box to find quality cards and a booklet explaining this as a tool.
Why applied to a card form?
This makes it approachable to those who feel better looking at something they can hold, it is of less intensity when given in this form - maybe it takes the concern out of learning - we think of a card deck as a game tool - so that relaxes our brains? That’s my conclusions anyway!
A great teaching tool
The cards all have clearly marked diagrams, imagery and text. Where it is needed, a little history is given on each card too, so we get a feel for the embroidery stitches place in community, culture and place.
As a tutor, I imagine handing a card to my student, exploring one stitch at a time, rather than giving them the whole deck - gradual learning is more visually acceptable….a challenge but not too much at once - ideal.
Why it will relate to your own practice
If you are new to stitching, it makes the whole learning process less heavy and more ‘possible’ in your mind. If you have long been in embroidery, this could freshen up your practice - we all need a reminder now and again!
The card deck and the RSN book which I have reviewed previously are both available through Search Press.
