My name is Sarah Smith and I am the founder of ‘A Silken Thread’. I am a Tutor and Studio Embroiderer at the Royal School of Needlework and embroidery has always been a passion for me.

I haven’t always been a professional embroiderer. My first career was in publishing. I am still passionate about books, literature and illustration, but embroidery and other forms of needlework have always been my hobby and my therapy and I am extremely fortunate to now be able to call it my occupation too.

I love to teach. Passing on skills that have existed for hundreds of years is a real privilege and I hope that I am doing my little bit to keep them alive for many years to come. As well as teaching day classes at the Royal School of Needlework, I have also had the pleasure of teaching students on our Degree and Future Tutor courses, as well as at the Victoria and Albert Museum, The Royal Free Hospital and The Courtauld Galllery London and at the Knit and Stitch Shows at Alexandra Palace and Dublin. I was invited to teach in Chengdu in China with the RSN as a guest of the British Chamber of Commerce. I have even had the honour of teaching Her Majesty the Queen of Malaysia when she visited the Royal School of Needlework.

I also love to design for embroidery, using the techniques I have perfected through many years of study and application. My inspiration comes from two clear sources, history and the natural world. I try to create designs that I would be inspired to stitch myself. My work has been included on several occasions at Hampton Court Palace, including at the ‘Lost Dress of Elizabeth I’ exhibition. In 2019 my ‘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.

Working in the Studio at the Royal School of Needlework, I have been involved in several high profile commissions including an evening gown designed by Nicholas Oakwell Couture for the GREAT Britain campaign, the Game of Thrones ‘Hardhome Emboidery’ and the conservation of the robes worn by Lady Carnarvon at the coronation of George V for display at Highclere Castle.

So, as you can see, embroidery has taken me to places I never believed possible. You are never too young, too old, too untalented or too impatient to pick up this wonderful pastime. Why don’t you give it a go? You never know where it might lead you"!