RSN Goldwork- 4th (and final) Certificate Module finished

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#HamptonCourtPalace, #royalneedlework, #royalschoolofneedlework, Goldwork, RSN

Goldwork is done – yeah! Time to relax and let it all sink in.

Stitching the RSN Goldwork on silk is challenging but fun, and the best thing was that of all the Certificate classes this was the most relaxed. Maybe I have just become accustomed to the pace of stitching needed in an intensive class?

With the fabulous Shelly Cox as our Tutor, and Nikki as her efficient assistant, and 6 willing students, they made the class a joy. We were organised and assisted, we were given homework sheets to follow, we were told what we had done well and also what needed to be redone, and we all managed to finish our piece on time.

Thinking back over this last two weeks, the thing I have enjoyed the most with Goldwork is learning the order in which to work all of the gold techniques and threads. Padding sets the foundation and getting this right is critical to the success of the final piece. Couching takes concentration and plunging the ends of couched threads is noisy and scary – so easy to get it wrong. Tying back the plunged ends is tedious but necessary. Solid Chipping is a puzzle to solve – can I fit another chip into that space. Cutwork is challenging and needs lots of practice to do well. However I think the end result is worth the effort.  Here are a few images of these steps as I did them on my Goldwork piece.

Padding with felt and string

Tying back plunged ends

Solid chipping

Couched work with Japanese, Twist and Rococco

Cutwork – Bright Check and Smooth Purl

RSN Certificate Goldwork Module – SallyR

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RSN Certificate – Goldwork

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#royalschoolofneedlework

I am having so much fun doing the RSN Certificate Goldwork Module. There are really great effects that can be achieved with Goldwork and I now have lots of gold bling growing across my design.

Background Fabric

RSN Goldwork at the Certificate level is worked on silk fabric which has been applied over a calico support layer and framed up on a large slate frame. I have chosen a dark brown silk to give a good contrast with the gold threads, and which I have subsequently found does not photograph well. If you proceed on to the Advanced Goldwork Module of the RSN Diploma you have the choice of Silk, Linen or Velvet as a background fabric.

Design

Once again we get to create our own design for this module giving consideration to the elements that need to be included to meet the module brief and then the finalised design is applied to the silk via the prick, pounce, and paint method.

I based my design for this piece on elements in the design I had created for the RSN Jacobean Module. Goldwork needs fairly open areas in which to apply the couched threads, so I have used a couple of the leaves and the shape of the main stem along with a new version of the frog.

Stitching begins

After applying the felt and string padding I finally got to the fun part of couching down the gold threads. All those ends to plunge and tie back with the dreaded curved needle.

Couching gold threads over padded and non padded areas.

Ends to plunge!