Having worked in design for nearly 30 years, including 10 years as Art Director for a market-leading alternative lifestyle magazine, Kate wanted a new career that combined beauty, history, education and challenge. She began seriously pursuing embroidery and teaching, and in 2018 was accepted onto the Future Tutors course at the Royal School of Needlework (RSN) at Hampton Court Palace. A QEST Scholarship will pay the fees in Kate’s final year, during which she will learn conservation techniques, advanced goldwork and kit-making, as well as complete an embroidered box, a both-sides-alike military banner and a signature piece to enter into the Hand & Lock embroidery prize.
Kate also hopes to use her newly acquired conservation skills to assist in the preservation of historic British textile artefacts at RSN. She also plans to create works for exhibition, and to undertake commissions for clients who require the highest standard embroidery pieces.