RSN Essential Stitch Guides: Goldwork

The Royal School of Needlework 6, Introduction 8, The history of metal thread work 10, Materials and equipment 14, Framing up 24, Design 30, Starting to stitch 34, Order of work 36, Padding 38

Methods 44
Couching 45, Combining threads 45, Japanese gold 46, Turning and plunging 47, Bricking 50, Couching in a circle 51, Pearl purl 52, Twists 54, Basketweave 56, Cutwork 58, Cutwork chips over felt 59, Cutwork purls over felt 60, Cutwork purls over soft string 62, Flat cutwork 64, Kid 65, S-ing 66, Spangles 68, Spangles held on with purls 69

Plate 70
Attaching plate over soft string 71, Attaching plate over felt 72

Stitching with gold threads 73
Chain stitch 74, Feather stitch 75, Pekinese stitch 76, Trellis stitch 77

Using colour 78
Diaper couching 78, Or Nué 80, Or Nué with paint 82

Combining techniques 86
Three Wishes 86, Indian Summer 88, Spring Flight 89, More a Scottish Thistle than an English Rose 90, Pomegranate and Gilly Flower 92, Snowdrops 94

Index 96

About Helen McCook

Helen McCook is a tutor for the prestigious Royal School of Needlework. She has extensive experience in theatre and film costume, and pieces of her work can be found in private collections and galleries worldwide, including in the British Royal Collection. Her work has been featured in Embroidery, Selvedge, Vogue and Vanity Fair.

Helen was appointed as the first artist in residence for the Scottish National Portrait Gallery’s educative initiative and works as an associate lecturer at Scottish National Portrait Gallery, National Portrait Gallery (London) and Holyrood Palace. Helen worked as part of the RSN team which created the embellishment for the shoes; veil and wedding dress for Catherine Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, and has worked on a variety of private commissions.