Design Connections

Royal School of Needlework® Home Page About Design Connections  News Royal Institute of British Architects Royal School of Needlework Royalty Arrangements   Rug Barn throw with a Royal School of Needlework design entitled 'Floral Majesty' Iris worked by Debra Barrett   Fish Sampler worked by Jennifer Malone Click here to return to top of this page

THE DESIGN AND TEXTILE ARCHIVES The archives contain over 30,000 images covering every period of English history from medieval times to the present day. Eminent designers such as William Morris, Walter Crane and Selwyn Image produced drawings for the School. Many earlier designs were donated. . Royal Coat of Arms - worked by staff and apprentices of the Royal School of Needlework The textile collection contains over 5000 pieces and there is a lace collection of 1,000 pieces. The collection also covers such techniques as silkwork, Jacobean, blackwork and whitework. All the designs can be photographed and the line drawings coloured and adapted as required enabling them to be used with a wide range of consumer products. THE SCHOOL The Royal School of Needlework (RSN) is a charity founded in 1872 by Princess Christian, the third daughter of Queen Victoria, to maintain and develop the art of needlework in the wake of the Industrial Revolution. She was assisted by her friends in the Arts & Crafts Movement notably William Morris, his daughter May and Sir Edward Burne-Jones. The School has always been under royal patronage. The Patron is H.M. Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother and the President is H.R.H. The Duchess of Gloucester. The School trains young people between the ages of 18 and 26, over a 3-year apprenticeship in design and all embroidery techniques. The apprentices also learn teaching skills and gain experience in the professional workrooms, which undertake many original commissions and restorations. Exclusive and original designs can also be commissioned for licensing purposes.   LICENSING BENEFITS The use of the Royal School of Needlework name, its international reputation and 125+ years of excellence. Its royal heritage. The patronage of H.M. Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother and the association with H.R.H. The Duchess of Gloucester. The exquisite designs either for reproduction or as sources of inspiration. Trade and press receptions can be held in the School's premises at Hampton Court Palace, Surrey, England.        Royal School of Needlework is a Registered Trade Mark Click hereto visit 'Royal School of Needlework' own Web site