Introduction to French Haute Couture Embroidery with Sophie Boylan

£275.00 GBP

Location: Hampton Court Palace
Techniques: Tambour, Experimental Embroidery, Hand Beading
Duration: 2 days. 10am-4pm

Dates

Saturday the 26th and Sunday the 27th of June (10am-4pm) Saturday the 14th and Sunday the 15th of August (10am-4pm)

Course Description

Discover the fundamentals of French Tambour Embroidery in this two-day course, exploring a technique synonymous with Haute Couture embellishment.

You will learn how to confidently use a Tambour hook, beginning with the essential Chain Stitch and practising in multiple directions to develop control, rhythm and precision. As your confidence with the hook develops, you will learn how to apply different sizes of beads and bio-sequins using traditional Tambour techniques, introducing you to methods used within couture embroidery ateliers.

Alongside Tambour, you will explore contemporary embellishment techniques including three-dimensional stacked beadwork and crystal application. You will work with a range of materials, including sustainable bioplastic sequins made from cellulose, exploring how traditional embroidery techniques can be combined with more contemporary materials and approaches.

Throughout the course, you will bring these techniques together to create your own floral motif, experimenting with combinations of beads, sequins and crystals to build texture, dimension and detail.

There is no pressure to complete the design during the two-day workshop. You will be encouraged to work at your own pace, focusing on developing your technique and confidence, with the opportunity to continue your embroidery at home.

By the end of the course, you will have developed a strong foundation in French Tambour Embroidery, gained experience working with a range of couture embellishment materials and learned techniques that you can continue to develop and apply to your own embroidery projects.

What you will need to bring

All of the specialist materials and equipment required for the course will be provided for you. We recommend bringing a notebook and pen if you would like to make notes throughout the course. And if you have a favourite mug, feel free to bring it along for your refreshment breaks!

Tutor Biography

Sophie Boylan

Sophie Boylan is a Canadian embroidery designer dedicated to honouring traditional techniques while pushing the boundaries of conventional materials. Her work explores themes of femininity and nature, with sustainability serving as the guiding principle in every project. Boylan’s designs blend craftsmanship with conceptual narratives, reflecting her commitment to creating textiles that are both aesthetically striking and environmentally conscious. A First-Class graduate from The London College of Fashion, specialising in Embroidery, Boylan went on to earn her MA in Textile Design from the prestigious Royal College of Art. Throughout her academic journey, she developed an expansive skill set that encompasses traditional hand embroidery, machine-guided techniques, and advanced digital embroidery machinery. This diverse technical training allows her to bridge the gap between heritage craftsmanship and contemporary design innovation. Boylan’s professional experience has been enriched through immersive internships and freelance work with renowned fashion houses and ateliers, including Hand & Lock, Miss Sohee, Simone Rocha, and Erdem. These opportunities provided her with firsthand exposure to the dynamic world of luxury fashion, deepening her understanding of both haute couture techniques and the creative processes behind collections. For her MA project, Boylan focused on addressing the environmental impact of conventional embroidery materials. She reimagined the traditional plastic sequin—traditionally made from petroleum-based microplastics—by developing a sustainable alternative that retains the visual allure and textural qualities of the original while minimising ecological harm. This project not only highlighted her innovative approach to design but also reinforced her belief that sustainability and beauty can coexist without compromise. As part of The CHANEL & The King’s Foundation Métiers d’art Embroidery Fellowship 2025 cohort, Boylan refined her haute couture hand embroidery skills, further building on the techniques she developed at École Lesage in Paris. Following the fellowship, Boylan graduated from The King’s Foundation and began a Future Materials Fellowship with the Jan van Eyck Academie in the Netherlands, where she is conducting research into the durability of her sustainable sequins and exploring methods to extend their lifespan, while continuing to develop her practice of haute couture embroidery.

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: HCP27019

Introduction to French Haute Couture Embroidery with Sophie Boylan

£275.00 GBP

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