RSN Essential Stitch Guides: Stumpwork

Beautiful artworks.

Well written and illustrated. Plenty of information on what is needed to begin the art of stumpwork and how to do the stitches. Look forward to trying this method to improve my stitching skills.

I have never attempted stumpwork, so receiving this book, I was reading it as a complete beginner, although I have experience in other areas of sewing. The book takes you right through everything about stumpwork, from the history right through to materials required, techniques and different stitches used. Every technique has colour pictures of each step, making it so easy to follow. Lots of good ideas for sewing your own pictures, or you could make up your own quite easily, following the book’s very well written instructions for stitches and techniques. A fabulous book to have on the craft bookshelf as reference material.

Clearly written with easy to follow pictures and easy to understand, just ordered threads and looking forward to starting a project when they arrive!

As an inexperienced embroiderer I hoped this book would expand my knowledge and I wasn’t disappointed. This is a 2021 reprint of a 2011 original and it’s bright and colourful presentation is engaging and informative. The initial 30 or so pages talk you through the history of the RSN, Stumpwork and the tools recommended to achieve this technique. Each of the following pages are clearly set out introducing each stitch with a text description, followed by step-by-step instructions with clear colour photographs walking you through the creation of each stitch. Personally, I would like to have the option for a spiral bound issue so that it lays flat for ease of use – however, this can easily be overcome by the use of a book stand. Whilst the book does not contain specific projects to follow and recreate, it would be possible to use this stitch guide to create a finished piece of work. I feel confident that I could use this book to begin my journey into Stumpwork. Subsquently, I have also been recommended this book by a more experienced embroiderer friend who already owns a copy, so I am confident this would be a suitable reference guide for all levels.

This book is larger than I expected having seen previous editions of this book series before, but this reformatted version of the 2011 original has been made larger (A4) and thus much easier to read and use. It’s absolutely full of step-by-step pictures and instructions to show you how to do very basic stitches all the way up to much more developed pieces incorporating multiple different stumpwork techniques. The instructions are clearly worded and pictured in detail so that you can easily follow along. The designs are very wide-ranging in content and therefore there will be something that everyone will like. I particularly like the leaves on the cover and that technique is used again on a piece within the book to great effect. I was very surprised to see just how many different techniques were included from wired work and applique to numerous flat and raised surface stitches which can create texture in your work and a number of techniques I’ve never heard of. It really is packed with information, but it’ll be a fantastic resource to keep coming back to over time as my embroidery progresses and changes. Ultimately, it’s a very useful book packed with information, ideas and great places to get started with stumpwork or carry on if you’ve previously had a go. I’d definitely recommend it!

Customer ReviewLucy Fyles

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.