Finding Home Through Stitch: Rosie Sykes’ Journey After Graduation

Drawing with thread is at the heart of my hand embroidery practice. I am compelled by narrative, creating a web that ties together all aspects of my current process, devising a story and character for each project. This is reflected in my interest in costume, and I often use vintage items and materials to develop a story further, adding personal touches to push boundaries. Based in the High Peak District, I can already feel how being back home has started to influence the inspirations and drive pushing my storytelling.

My process always begins with illustration. Using lines to capture the details of a subject, often exploring structure, then allowing these to translate into embroidery through repeating similar methods on fabric.

Back in 2024, I graduated from the Royal School of Needlework, where I spent three years studying Hand Embroidery. Focusing in on the tradition techniques and understanding how to push them in contemporary and exciting ways. These techniques are at the forefront of my practice; I gravitate towards working with a mixture of Tambour, Canvas work, Raised work and Goldwork.

Studying in the Hampton Court Palace apartments is an experience I will forever be grateful for, flouncing through a building packed to the roof with history was truly inspirational, and I never took it for granted.

Over my final year I developed a project titled “Camera Obscura” which depicts the extended life of a woman, whose slow memory loss is depicted through hand embroidered imagery of vintage cameras. I originally explored cameras through illustrative methods. Breaking down their structure and capturing extensive detail. Then translating these marks into my embroidery, through a tambour method, stitching as if I was drawing with a pen.

I combined techniques and methods loosely. Using a mixture of metal threads to create highly textured surfaces, shining and reflecting light to create an overwhelming sense as your eyes don’t know where to focus. Creating three dimensional elements using metal threads and sheer fabrics to contrast to the base woollen garments, to push the limited of my hand embroidery skills. I desperately wanted to show how embroidery is so much more that a ‘craft’.

I poured my heart and soul into this project, becoming fully invested in the story I was telling. This taught me what kind of textile artist I wanted to become, the feeling of seeing a piece of work made by you exhibited is indescribable. And I understood how costume drew me in massively, it’s pre-strung with story begging to be played with. For these costumes I worked onto vintage garments, I wanted them to feel real, worn, as if this character I’d crafted was a part of this world.

Leaving university was a mixture of emotions. It was terrifying to not have the comfort blanket of the supportive friends, classmates and tutors I’d been surrounded by for the last three years. Future work prospects were mixed and leaving the employment hotspot of London was daunting.

But I was desperate to go home.

London is exciting, vibrant and basically the ‘centre of the universe’. But home is home, nothing beats the fresh air, the hills and green fields. Nothing beats walks in the countryside with my dog, friendly people on the streets, the community and feel of my Derbyshire village. And I thoroughly missed the taste of the water!

I was scared about what creative jobs were open to me outside of London - if any. I was worried about losing the creative rhythm I’d formed with the looming deadlines of a university structure. And I was leaving the only embroidery peers I had.

Since graduating I’ve freelanced in a variety of areas, such as costume at the Royal Opera House, fashion for both London and Paris fashion week and textile art for exhibition. But one of the first places I had the opportunity to work with was Derbyshire makes. The possibility to work in textiles, in the county I live in was truly exciting. And getting the chance to work with a group of textile artists is so rare! It showed me that I didn’t waste three years of my life, instead here are a group of experienced artists doing it.

You’d never realise the different ways artists approach a task. I had the absolute pleasure to assist and learn from most of the other ‘Dare to Dream’ artists across many of the festival and sewing bee days. This was an invaluable look into how textile workshops are set up and led, seeing how different personalities attract and encourage those in our communities to take a moment, and just do something rewarding like making a banner. I found it inspiring to learn about each artist’s individual practice, and their personal work. It showed me the variety of creation possible in this media, and how much is possible!

I loved talking with those who live and visit Derbyshire, understanding what people are drawn to in this county, and aspects they value and what are looking for in the future. I had some lovely conversations with families who were so excited to be doing something creative together, and this really made me reflect on where I want to take these textile skills I’ve learnt, and the fun side of teaching others.

I believe that everyone can draw and sew, you don’t need a ‘natural talent’, just some inspiration. This is a perfect embodiment of the Dare to Dream project, anyone can pick up some fabric and make a banner, people just sometimes need that encouragement!

I’ve found my personal inspirations being pulled towards the nature I’m surrounded for, Derbyshire is packed full of countryside (meaning unreliable public transport and long car journeys!) and the stories in my head I’m desperate to depict through embroidery are beginning to be based in woodlands and villages!

Being part of the Dare to Dream project has shown me so much more of this county! The beautiful views, historic locations and vibrant towns and communities

Going into 2026 and reflecting on the past year of my life is a mixed bag, it’s been very exciting yet exhausting, and I’m so grateful for the supportive artists I’ve had the privilege of learning from and working with. It’s encouraging to see the positive creative community built in this county and being able to do something textile work I love at home felt impossible when I was graduating.

I’m currently enrolled on the Manchester School of Costume, 12-week costume course, where I’m learning how to take my garment making skills to a professional level for film, theatre and TV. And of course, I’ve managed to shove in as much embroidery as I could!

I love learning and adding to my skills, I think this is why I enjoy teaching, as it’s knowing that you’re passing on a skill to someone else, hopefully inspiring them! Sewing is universal, everyone should have the opportunity to play around with textiles as it really is the best artform (I’m biased though!)

I’m excited to see where 2026 will take my embroidery, I dream of telling another story and developing a new project through my stitching, pulling inspiration from the hills I call home.

Hopefully 2026 will be full of people falling in love with textiles and many banners being made!