Nature in Thread: Sculptural Embroidery with Meredith Woolnough

£515.00 GBP

Location: Hampton Court Palace
Techniques: Machine Embroidery, Threadwork, Experimental Embroidery
Duration: 5 days. 10am - 4pm Daily.

Date & Time

Wednesday 26th - Sunday 30th May 2027

Course Description

Inspired by the extraordinary gardens of Hampton Court Palace, this immersive five-day workshop introduces students to Meredith Woolnough's distinctive sculptural embroidery techniques while encouraging a deeper appreciation of nature.

Students will begin by exploring the palace gardens, gathering inspiration through observing and documenting the plants on display. We will conduct various observational drawing and photographic activities to develop resources that will act as inspiration for the stitched artworks being created in this course.

Following the fieldwork in the palace gardens, Meredith will introduce students to her distinctive sculptural embroidery processes, demonstrating how a domestic sewing machine can be used as an unconventional drawing tool.

Through a series of structured exercises and sample projects, students will progressively build confidence in working with water-soluble fabrics, exploring how different stitched structures can be manipulated into sculptural forms. Meredith's will also share her signature shadow-mounting technique for displaying framed work.

By the end of the course, students will have developed confidence in freehand machine embroidery on water soluble fabric and have a solid understanding of the creative possibilities of the technique and how they can be applied to future work. Students will have created their own unique freestanding sculpture and a professionally presented shadow-mounted artwork inspired by the gardens of Hampton Court Palace.

What you will need to bring

All of the specialist materials and equipment required for the course will be provided for you. A limited selection of embroidery threads is included in your materials kit, but if you would like to work with particular threads or colours, please feel free to bring your own.

Please also bring a sketchbook, pencils or pens for drawing and a phone, tablet or digital camera that you can use to take photographs throughout the course.

And if you have a favourite mug, feel free to bring it along for your refreshment breaks!

Tutor Biography

Meredith Woolnough

Meredith Woolnough is an Australian artist internationally recognised for her innovative sculptural embroidery practice. Using a domestic sewing machine as an unconventional drawing tool, she creates intricate embroidered artworks inspired by the structures and patterns found in nature. Her work explores the delicate networks that underpin the natural world, from botanical forms to marine organisms. Meredith holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honours First Class), majoring in Textiles, from the University of New South Wales, a Master of Teaching from the University of Sydney, and a Bachelor of Natural History Illustration (with Distinction) from the University of Newcastle. This unique combination of artistic, educational and scientific training informs both her creative practice and teaching approach. Over the past two decades, Meredith's work has been exhibited extensively throughout Australia and internationally, including solo exhibitions at the CSIRO Discovery Centre, Timeless Textiles Gallery and The Milk Factory Gallery. Her work is held in the permanent collections of Wangaratta Art Gallery and Tamworth Regional Gallery, as well as numerous private collections worldwide. Meredith is the author of the book Organic Embroidery (Schiffer Publishing, 2018) and The 100 Embroideries Project (2023). Her work has been featured in numerous international publications, including Inspirations Magazine, Embroidery Magazine (UK), Textile Fibre Forum, Art Collector and We Are Makers. In 2023 she was awarded second place in the Mr X Stitch Contemporary Needlework Prize for Machine Embroidery, and in 2026 received a Better Homes & Gardens Creator Award. A passionate educator, Meredith teaches students worldwide through workshops and online programmes, sharing the distinctive techniques she has developed throughout her professional practice. Her teaching encourages students to combine careful observation, technical skill and creative experimentation to develop their own unique artistic voice.

Important Venue Information

Please note this is an in-person class at Hampton Court Palace, East Molesey, Surrey KT8 9AU.

On Arrival

Access to Hampton Court Palace is security controlled. Access to the Palace grounds is only available via the main Palace gate (Trophy Gate) - this is the large gate closest to Hampton Court Bridge. Access is currently not available via other gates. On arrival, walk down the drive to the Palace itself and then around the left-hand (north) side of the building until you see the vehicle security barrier and the entrance to the Security Office.

There will be a member of staff to meet you outside the Security Office at 9.45am to escort you to the classroom. You will be issued a visitor pass - please make sure that you wear this and that it is visible at all times.

Accessibility

Hampton Court Palace dates back to the 14th Century. The main RSN classrooms are on the 3rd floor which can be accessed by the Chocolate Court Stairs in Fountain Court, whilst the other classroom has an additional six steps in order to access it. The palace is very old and the walk to our classrooms may have uneven surfaces, for example cobbles, worn steps, uneven steps and slopes. Please choose footwear that is comfortable and appropriate for the conditions. Some surfaces may be slippery, particularly if they are wet from rain. There is a lift available for acces from Fountain Court to the RSN apartments but access is prioritised for those with mobility issues.

Breaks and Lunchtime

Refreshments will be provided in the morning. You may take your lunch break in our break room or within the Palace gardens. Please bring a packed lunch and drink with you as there are only two sets of Palace facilities and there are likely to be lengthy queues at lunchtime. Please remember to wear your pass at all times.

Access to toilets

There two upstairs toilets will be available, Additional toilet facilities are available in Fountain Court.

Staff

The RSN Education Team are not onsite at the weekend so please do not expect to see any on your visit, if you need to speak with or contact a member of the team please email education@royal-needlework.co.uk in the first instance.

Materials

Your kit will be ready for you in the classroom. Any additional equipment will be available to purchase or borrow from the RSN on the day. It is useful to bring a notepad and pen, a thimble if you use one and a pair of sharp, favoured embroidery scissors.

RSN Shop

The shop is located on the ground floor next to the East Front Gate and will be open between 11am-4pm. We do have a 'click and collect' pickup service option if you wish to order anything from the shop in advance and pick it up when you attend for your class. This option is available at the Online Shop checkout. Please note that five working days notice must be given to use the shop pickup service.

Photography

You may take photographs of your own work in progress, or of other students’ work with their permission. Photography of work on the walls or any RSN collection pieces is not permitted in any area of the RSN. From time to time we may wish to take photographs of your class and work in progress for publicity material to be used on-line and in print. If you would prefer not to be included in these photographs please let us know.

Checklist BEFORE you Leave Home

[ ] HCP Pass – if you have one
[ ] Embroidery Scissors
[ ] Pen and paper
[ ] Drink and packed lunch

SKU: HCP27037

Nature in Thread: Sculptural Embroidery with Meredith Woolnough

£515.00 GBP

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