After stitching solidly on the RSN certificate in Technical Hand Embroidery for the last 8 weeks I decided that I needed to plan some recreational stitching to help me wind down. Scrolling across websites I noticed that Hand and Lock were offering a two day weekend Monogramming class in London on the very weekend after I finished the last of the Certificate modules.
Hand and Lock have been Embroiderers since 1767 and they specialise in Military Goldwork along with bespoke embroidery and beading on garments. Their school offers classes in Tambour and Monogramming, and they will also be taking these classes to SanFrancisco shortly.
Louise, who was one of my classmates on all of the RSN intensives, decided to join me for these two days of fun, so we travelled in together each day by train and tube to attend the class at the H&L premises in Fitzrovia. It was great to have her along as a fellow adventurer.
Our tutor was the lovely Juliette Ferry, who had undertaken her Embroidery training in France (she is French) and has been working at H&L for a couple of years now. Across the weekend she took us through applying stitch guides via prick and pounce, and stitching three different styles of Monogram fonts (Block, Fishtail, and Script). The class was very relaxed and lots of fun and I managed to get a few small monograms stitched on my working cloth.
The other wonderful part of taking a class at Hand and Lock was the opportunity to take a tour of their workrooms and see the wonderful Goldwork military badges, uniform elements, and goldwork supplies they have in their storerooms. I was drooling over the gorgeous gold braids and cords.
This was two fun days that have really helped me to wind down from the RSN intensives. Tomorrow I am off on a short trip to Paris – where I hope to get to an Embroidery shop or two!
Stitched up with Thread 
That sounds like you have had a great time! Have fun in Paris. Get a hold of the Stitching up Paris book, it lists the best needlecraft shops. Or check out their website: http://www.stitchingupparis.com. The sajou shop and les bonheur des dames are well recommended. As well as of course Au ver a soie but they are only open by appointment on one of their silk mondays or during a workshop I believe.
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Thank you Marlous, I really appreciate the recommendations.
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Thought you may be interested in a book which is due out at the end of september on silk shading. It is written by Margaet Dier a very experience RSN tutor in silk shading. “Thread Painting and Silk Shading embroidery. Amazon £19.95. She taught me many years ago! Sue
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Thanks Sue. I will be back at the RSN in HCP for the last two weeks of September so I will make sure to look out for it.
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Amazing opportunity! Great that you could fit that all in! Drooling over the gold braid!! I have been receiving H&L newsletter for years, hoping I’ll get there one day! Even collected some hand made military/naval badges from 2nd hand shops.
Go, Sally, go! So excited for you!
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Wow, you really are making the most of your time over there. I’ve been to Hand and Lock, but never did a class with them. It sounds like a great class and way to spend some down time.
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HI Sally
How nice!
Now I definitely have a little green tinge around me. Hand & Lock is one place that I would love to do a course at – monogramming of course. Plus I would love to do the tour as it looks wonderful on the internet.
I found it interesting the size of the samples – little can often be more challenging because of its size, however does give you the ability to try more styles.
Enjoy Paris.
Narelle
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Hi Narelle, Yes these were smaller fonts designed for pockets and cuffs of shirts. We specifically worked the smallest monogram fonts – 5mm High – as we were told it was easier to go bigger once you know what you are doing but harder to get smaller. Hard on the eyes!
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I have often looked at the Hand and Lock site and wondered about their courses. Thanks for sharing.
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