Introduction to Silk Shading by the Royal School of Needlework

RSN Introduction to Silk Shading is a self-paced online video course from the Royal School of Needlework, taught by RSN tutor Kate Barlow. You stitch a realistic flower in stranded cottons, learning split stitch, long and short stitch, bullion knots and French knots. The course costs £110, which includes a kit of professional-grade materials posted to you, and access lasts 12 months from purchase. There is no tutor feedback on this video course, and customers in the European Union cannot buy it.

Silk shading, sometimes called needle painting, is the technique behind the soft, painterly flowers and birds seen in traditional embroidery. It relies on blending thread colours so smoothly that the stitches almost disappear, which is hard to learn from still photographs. The RSN's online format uses high-definition video filmed from several angles, so you can see exactly how each stitch is placed. Each course is designed as the equivalent of an RSN embroidery class, with the design supplied and mounting not taught.

What You Will Learn

The course teaches the building blocks of shading through one finished flower. According to the official page, you will learn:

• Split stitch
• Long and short stitch, the main stitch used for shading
• Blending colours of stranded cotton to create realistic form
• Bullion knots
• French knots
• How these stitches combine in a single naturalistic design

Who Is RSN Introduction to Silk Shading For?

The RSN describes its online courses as designed for everyone from complete beginners to experienced stitchers. This course suits embroiderers who want to move from outline stitching to shading, illustrators and painters curious about working in thread, and anyone who wants a structured introduction from a specialist school without travelling to a class.

It is not a qualification. The RSN states that its online courses are not equivalent to its Certificate and Diploma. It also will not suit anyone who needs one-to-one guidance, because the course includes no contact with the tutor.

Course Structure

RSN Introduction to Silk Shading is built around a single project: a realistic flower that you stitch while following the videos. The format matches the RSN's other online courses:

• Video lessons: HD video filmed from multiple angles, led by an RSN tutor
• Materials kit: an exclusive kit of professional-grade materials posted to you; the course cannot be ordered without it, and kits ship within five working days
• Your own pace: rewatch any stage as often as you like during your access period
• Devices: works in a web browser on a computer, tablet or phone

The design is supplied and mounting is not covered. The official page does not list a running time or lesson count, so check it for those details.

Price and Access

The course costs £110, including the materials kit. Prices are set in pounds sterling; any US dollar figure on the site is an estimate. Access is unlimited for 12 months from purchase and can be extended by a further 12 months on request. Because of EU VAT rules on digital content, the RSN does not sell its online courses to customers in the European Union. Check the official page for the current price before you buy.

About the Instructor

Kate Barlow is an RSN tutor and leads this course. The Royal School of Needlework is a UK school of hand embroidery, and its online courses are led by its own tutors.

Things to Consider

• No tutor feedback: the tutor does not review your work or answer questions. Other students meet in a private Facebook group.
• EU customers: you cannot buy this course if you live in the European Union.
• Patience: long and short stitch takes practice, so expect to unpick and redo sections.
• Kit and delivery: the kit is compulsory and posted to you; allow time for it to arrive.
• Finishing: mounting is not taught, so plan how you will present the finished flower.
• Next steps: the RSN Introduction to Goldwork Embroidery course also uses some silk shading and adds metal threads.

Start the Course

Interested in learning with the Royal School of Needlework?

Start Introduction to Silk Shading

For the full syllabus and pricing, visit the official Royal School of Needlework website.

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Last verified: November 12, 2026