RSN Essential Stitch Guides: Stumpwork

After graduating from the Royal School of Needlework in 2002, Kate Sinton worked as a freelance embroiderer and artist. As well as continuing to teach a variety of classes at the RSN she set up drop-in summer embroidery classes at the Bermondsey Museum of Fashion and Textiles and worked with visiting textile lecturers at the British Museum. In 2006, Kate was appointed to manage a project that would produce over 200 new vestments for St Paul’s Cathedral. These were first exhibited in 2008 at St Martin’s College of Art and Design. During that time Kate continued to teach and produce artwork, and was part of a three-person show in Shepherd’s Market in Central London. Kate lives in Wiltshire, UK with her husband Jamie and son Thomas.

The Royal School of Needlework 6

Introduction 8

The history of stumpwork 10

Materials 14

Framing up 22

Stumpwork design 26

Applique 30



Stitches 32

Flat surface stitches 34

Raised surface stitches 46

Needlelace stitches 58

Metal thread work 64



Techniques 70

Padding 72

Slips 78

Wrapping 92

Found objects 95



Figures 98



Index 112