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10 NADFAS REVIEW / AUTUMN 2016 www.nadfas.org.ukLEGACYThe Royal School of Needlework was founded in 1872 and was established to keep the techniques of hand embroidery alive. Today the RSN is the international centre of excellence for the art of hand embroidery and offers courses for all levels, from half-day tasters to a three-year BA (Hons) degree programme, validated by University for the Creative Arts (UCA).Freya Stewart was awarded a NADFAS/RSN bursary in 2015. Freya is a student on the BA (Hons) Hand Embroidery for Fashion, Interiors and Textile Art. It is the only UK university degree that focuses solely on hand embroidery. Students get the opportunity to learn core techniques and then develop them conceptually in many different directions. The course includes technical stitch, research and experimentation, art and design, and contextual theory. In the second year, students get to work on a live project. Graduates go on to work in haute couture, fashion, fi lm and theatre costume, as designer-makers and for interiors companies. Freya was interested in masks and headpieces. “For my main collection, I based each of the three headpieces on a type of plant; these were creepers such as ivy, blossom and water-lilies.”The bursary helped her buy supplies such as sinamay, a sculptural fabric, bias edging and headbands. Having a good quantity of these materials means she has the freedom to experiment: “I have quite a bit of sinamay left over so I am thinking about making some more of the smaller pieces in the future and continuing to explore what effects I can achieve with this material.” ■Help others to reach their potentialLeave a legacy to NADFASA bequest towards the work of NADFAS volunteering and grant giving will help bring art and heritage skills to a new generation.For a confi dential discussion about leaving a legacy to NADFAS, contact Chief Executive Florian Schweizer on 020 7430 0730. Or visit www.nadfas.org.uk.Sharp practiceBursaries awarded by NADFAS in conjunction with the Royal School of Needlework provide vital extra funding for use on materials, books or living expenses Image: courtesy of Tas Kyprianou.Above right: Examples of some of Freya’s headpiecesRight: Freya used some of her bursary money to buy sinamay sculptural fabric