Jacobean Linen Work: Blue Flower with Masako Newton

Masako works as a studio embroiderer in the RSN Embroidery Studio. She is originally from Kobe, Japan. After a career in the English Language Teaching industry, she gained the Certificate and Diploma in Technical Hand Embroidery, and additionally the Advanced Diploma at Hampton Court Palace. Her career as a professional embroiderer began to take off when she was invited to be part of the RSN team, who worked for Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen on HRH The Princess of Wales’s wedding dress.

Masako feels privileged to work for the RSN Embroidery Studio and she has worked on various projects, including Cornelia Parker’s Magna Carta (An Embroidery), which was exhibited at the British Library in 2015. She loves every project, but she is especially fascinated by the conservation and restoration of antique samplers.

Creating art is a vital element of her embroidery practice. Her Goldwork embroidery piece was a part of the RSN exhibition at Cumberland Lodge in Windsor Great Park in 2011, and since then her embroidery artwork pieces have been shown in several RSN exhibitions. She has also exhibited at the Aga Khan Centre in London and The Broderers’ Exhibition.

In 2023, Masako was honoured to be part of the Embroidery Studio team at the Royal School of Needlework who worked on a number of items for the Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla, including The Queen’s Robe of Estate, the Anointing Screen and the Stole Royal.

Masako enjoys working in the RSN Embroidery Studio, and she also produces embroidery kits for the RSN shop.