16th October 2025

 

Tina's presentation 'An embroiderer's tale' was a fascinating insight into her creative work and the extraordinary journey that developed from this.

Like many of us Tina has always enjoyed crafts, sewing etc and on leaving school applied to the Royal School of Needlework for an apprenticeship. This comprised 2 years of learning various skills /techniques and the 3rd year working in the workshops on projects. Throughout she was paid a weekly wage but had to provide her own materials and threads.

 

Tina's first piece was crewel work, followed by goldwork and  then a silk shaded piece featuring a flower.

 

 

 

 

Next came the 'master piece' to showcase skills featuring her take on an animal, saint and a cross - Tina selected an African theme, the Chieftain (saint) created with long and short stitches and colour to create texture.

Then a 3-D piece, many choose to create a box and decorate it Tina however used her own design to make 'Wembley Stadium'

 

 

 

The third was 'Both sides alike' where the fabric is stitched through so the reverse is identical to the front, used for flags/colours etc , the lettering is stitched on to seperate fabric and applied onto the main piece.

The last piece was the 'Coronation goldwork'

 


 

 

Tina's third year in the workshop featured work on varied projects, picture of a dog owned by sponsor, those connected with churches , Embroiderers Guild etc as well as work experience where she went to Jim Henderson (Muppets) and saw how the world of work was outside the RSN.

After leaving the RSN Tina needed to find work so applied to any business that was textile related. From this she went to Jimmy Choo (couture shoes) for a trial day demonstrating sketching/design/embroidery/beading etc.

 This led to an internship for a month which extended into years of freelance work for them involving design work, embroidery and beading on shoes prior to being made.

Later Tina went to Locks, an embroidery workroom used by many designers/fashion houses, creating beading and embroidery for unique items.

One of these was the beading on a white Adidas tracksuit worn at the opening of Commonwealth games in 2002.

Another was beading/decoration on the dresses worn by Dame Edna Everage.

 

Following a part time degree at the London College of Fashion Tina applied for a job(employer unknown just a PO box), asked to attend for an interview/trial day and was offered a junior position, working at the Palace. She started with embroidered/beaded collars for dresses progressing to making state gowns, dresses for tours  and 'work wear' for Queen Elizabeth II.

Tina works freelance making wedding dresses, mother of the bride outfits, carrying out alterations, running embroidery/ dressmaking classes as well as giving talks.