{"product_id":"butterfly-in-natural-materials","title":"Butterfly in Sustainable Embroidery","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eExplore sustainability in contemporary hand embroidery with this special \u003c\/span\u003eFragile Threads course at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, combining the beauty of the natural world with a thoughtful approach to the materials used to represent it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInspired by the delicate structure and colouring of a butterfly, you will create a contemporary embroidered design using natural materials throughout. Worked in a beautiful palette of soft blues, aquas and natural tones, the design explores how different threads, fibres and materials can be combined to create intricate detail, texture and movement across the wings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou will explore a range of surface embroidery techniques, using changes in stitch, colour and texture to capture the transparency and structure of the butterfly’s wings. Natural materials are also incorporated into the surrounding botanical details, creating a connection between the subject of the embroidery and the materials used to stitch it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs part of the Fragile Threads collection, this course considers sustainability not only through its subject matter but through embroidery practice itself, encouraging you to explore how material choices can become part of the story behind a piece of embroidery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout Fragile Threads\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFragile Threads is a pioneering project from the Royal School of Needlework (RSN), exploring how embroidery can be used to engage with some of the most important issues facing our world today.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe project reconnects the historic practice of embroidery with contemporary conversations, bringing together artists, embroiderers, designers, communities and partner organisations to explore how making can encourage reflection, connection and positive change.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe current focus of Fragile Threads is biodiversity and our relationship with the natural world. Through embroidery, the project explores the beauty, complexity and fragility of the ecosystems around us, translating conversations around biodiversity and species loss into creative experiences that feel personal, tangible and hopeful.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWorking with organisations and communities from grassroots groups to major cultural and environmental partners, Fragile Threads combines heritage, contemporary practice, education and collaboration. At its heart is the idea that embroidery can do more than decorate: it can tell stories, preserve experiences, connect people and provide a powerful way of responding to the world around us.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe project will culminate in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNature’s Fragile Threads\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, a major exhibition at Bankside Gallery in London from 23 February to 7 March 2027. The exhibition will bring together historic works and designs from the RSN Collection and Archive with contemporary embroidery from within and beyond the RSN community, exploring how nature has inspired embroiderers across generations and how stitch can bear witness to biodiversity and species loss.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFragile Threads is made possible with support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRoyal School of Needlework Fragile Threads Courses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs part of Fragile Threads, the Royal School of Needlework has created a special collection of five Short Courses exploring biodiversity, the natural world and our relationship with nature through hand embroidery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe collection includes two online courses and three special in-person courses hosted at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Inspired by the themes of Fragile Threads, participants will explore colour, texture and three-dimensional embroidery techniques while taking inspiration from the extraordinary diversity of the natural world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThrough these creative experiences, participants will discover how embroidery can encourage closer observation of nature and provide a powerful way to celebrate its beauty, complexity and fragility.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"RSN","offers":[{"title":"Wednesday 2nd June - Friday 4th June 2027","offer_id":63826478137674,"sku":"FT27002","price":295.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1036\/4541\/3706\/files\/BlueButterfly1.jpg?v=1791294570","url":"https:\/\/rsn.org.uk\/products\/butterfly-in-natural-materials","provider":"Royal School of Needlework","version":"1.0","type":"link"}