Sarah Smith

Expert Overview

Sarah began a career in embroidery later in life, first taking a City and Guilds Certificate in Embroidery at Missenden Abbey, before embarking on three years of full time study on the Royal School of Needlework’s Future Tutors Programme at Hampton Court Palace. During this time she studied many traditional hand embroidery techniques including goldwork, Jacobean crewel work, blackwork, stumpwork and silk shading, graduating in 2018 with the Eva Stokes Award for Teaching.

As well as working in the Embroidery Studio at the RSN, Sarah has taught for the School in the UK, Ireland and China, as well as at RSN workshops at the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Royal Free Hospital in London and at Knit and Stitch Shows at Alexandra Palace and in Dublin. She also had the honour of teaching Her Majesty the Queen of Malaysia when she visited the RSN.

Her work has been exhibited on several occasions at Hampton Court Palace, including at the ‘Lost Dress of Elizabeth I, exhibition in 2019. Her ‘Blackwork Sweete Bag’ was featured in the ‘Jewel in the Hand’ exhibition of early portrait miniatures by Philip Mould and Company at their gallery in Mayfair.

She is the founder of ‘A Silken Thread’ which specialises in producing a range of kits with botanical themes and in offering classes in hand embroidery to groups and individuals with all levels of ability.