We are extremely honoured that Tracy Franklin will be joining our Askham retreat for the first time in 2027.
Tracy is regarded as one of the leading figures in contemporary hand embroidery, with a career spanning more than two decades of teaching, research, conservation, and professional practice. A graduate of the prestigious Royal School of Needlework Apprenticeship programme, Tracy is now Lead Tutor at RSN Durham, where she teaches the internationally respected Certificate and Diploma programmes in Technical Hand Embroidery.
Alongside her work with the RSN, Tracy is Head Broderer at Durham Cathedral and has contributed to a wide range of significant ecclesiastical and heritage commissions. In 2023, she was part of the Royal School of Needlework team responsible for embroidery created for the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, including work on the Queen’s Robe of Estate and other ceremonial pieces.
As both a teacher and author, Tracy has had an enormous influence on the embroidery world through her publications on crewel work, whitework, and goldwork, as well as through her ability to combine rigorous technical training with creativity and historical scholarship. Her teaching is celebrated internationally for its depth, generosity, and extraordinary attention to detail.
For the Askham retreat, Tracy will introduce a beautiful new design inspired by a 17th-century embroidered box from the collection of the Burrell Collection.
Reinterpreting details from this remarkable historic object, the project reflects Tracy’s long-standing fascination with historic embroidery and her exceptional ability to translate museum research into inspiring contemporary needlework.
We are thrilled to welcome Tracy to Askham for what promises to be a truly special retreat experience.
