A Rose for Edward inspired by 'The Edwardians: Age of Elegance' exhibition at the Palace of Holyroodhouse

Helen McCook is the author of the Goldwork RSN Essential Stitch Guide. She teaches at the RSN on both our Day Classes and Certificate & Diploma in Technical Hand Embroidery both in the UK and the United States. She also teaches the Certificate & Diploma programme at RSN Scotland, in Glasgow.

Helen was appointed as the first artist in residence for the Scottish National Portrait Gallery’s educative initiative and works as an associate lecturer at Scottish National Portrait Gallery/Scottish National Gallery, National Portrait Gallery (London) and Holyrood Palace.

Helen worked as part of the RSN team which created the embellishment for the shoes; veil and wedding dress for Catherine Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, and has worked on a variety of private commissions. After completing a BA (Hons) Degree and the RSN Apprenticeship, Helen worked in a range of high profile roles in the textiles industry, working for both auction houses and ateliers. She has extensive experience in theatre and film costume, and pieces of her work can be found in private collections and galleries worldwide, including in the British Royal Collection. Her work has been featured in publications such as: Embroidery, Selvedge, Vogue and Vanity Fair.

Helen is the RSN Tutor for the successful RSN Online Course to Blackwork which launched in July 2018.

In 2023, Helen 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, Chairs of State and the Stole Royal.”