Adopt a Stitch to Preserve it for the Future

Stitches from history have been lost because they fall out of use. Textiles and the knowledge of stitches throughout the world continue to be threatened by wars and other disturbances, as well as changes in manufacturing processes. The time has come to compile a world directory of stitch – the RSN Stitch Bank.

The RSN Stitch Bank is available online to all stitchers, tutors, curators, historians, researchers and students. Stitchers can find a new stitch to use in a project and learn how to make it using videos, written instructions, illustrations and photographs for each stitch. Researchers, curators, historians and students can use the site to learn about the use, structure and history of each stitch in a range of embroidery techniques and to identify a stitch on a textile.

Funding from a number of charitable trusts has helped a small team to set up the website and create text, illustrations, photographs and videos for an initial selection of core stitches, ensuring that the system can be expanded for all the different stitches in the world.

Now we want to continue adding more stitches to the RSN Stitch Bank – and this is where you can help by adopting a stitch. It costs between £135 and £228 for each stitch entry to be prepared. If you pay for a whole stitch your name will be added as a Stitch Sponsor and you will receive a certificate, but you can make a donation of any amount.

The RSN is a registered charity (No. 312774) so every donation we receive means a great deal to us. We receive no government funding, so rely on your generous support to ensure hand embroidery is both preserved and developed for future generations.