We’re absolutely thrilled to welcome the immensely talented Kelley Aldridge to the School of Stitched Textiles as a tutor. With a background that blends traditional expertise, innovative teaching, and deep personal passion, Kelley is one of the most respected names in contemporary hand embroidery.
A graduate of the Royal School of Needlework’s prestigious apprenticeship (and once their oldest ever apprentice) Kelley has gone on to lead transformative teaching programmes, establish new training hubs, and develop a thriving online embroidery school that reaches students across the globe.
Her work is known for its technical precision, warmth, and timeless beauty. Now, she brings that same richness to our community, where she’ll be teaching Hand Embroidery and Stumpwork, offering students not only an exceptional skillset but a real sense of connection to heritage, artistry, and the joy of making. We were delighted to sit down with Kelley for this very special podcast episode to explore her journey, her philosophy, and the threads that have stitched her extraordinary story together.
Textile Talk with Kelley Aldridge
Listen to the episode on your favourite podcast platform or click the link below to listen now.
Kelley Aldridge
In this captivating episode of Textile Talk, host Gail Cowley sits down with renowned embroidery tutor and artist, Kelley Aldridge. Her journey is anything but conventional — once head of IT training at a London law firm, Kelley found herself yearning for something more tactile, meaningful, and creative. That “wrong ladder” moment led her to a bold decision: apply for the Royal School of Needlework’s prestigious apprenticeship, despite being in her mid-30s — and she got in. What followed was a transformative experience in traditional embroidery training that would shape her future forever.
Listeners will be fascinated by her honest reflections on this rigorous, three-year apprenticeship at Hampton Court Palace — an intense mix of craftsmanship, history, and professionalism — and how it became the foundation for her thriving career as an international embroidery teacher.
The RSN Years: Tradition Meets Transformation
Kelley provides an insider’s look at life within the Royal School of Needlework, where students sign articles of apprenticeship and immerse themselves fully in the art of embroidery. She shares the intensity and beauty of learning surface stitches, goldwork, conservation, and even historical repair techniques. You’ll hear what it’s like to handle priceless historical textiles — including the late Queen Mother’s coronation robe — and how to cost, quote, and craft with precision.
She also discusses her instrumental role in setting up the RSN’s Bristol hub and guiding the transition to online learning during the pandemic, proving her skill not just with a needle, but in leadership, tech, and community-building.
Stitching for a Living: The Joy and the Graft
This episode is a must-listen for anyone considering turning their craft into a career. Kelley doesn’t sugar-coat the realities: it’s hard work, and much of it involves admin, tech, and self-promotion — not just sewing. She talks candidly about pricing your work fairly, navigating the tension between professional and hobbyist makers, and the emotional richness of restoration commissions, including a touching repair of a vintage dog-shaped pajama case made by Merrythought.
Her reflections will deeply resonate with aspiring artists: the struggle to value your own work, the challenge of teaching and working for yourself, and the joy of forming communities through shared creative practice.
Teaching with Heart: Online Learning Done Right
Now a full-time self-employed tutor, Kelley has built an innovative online embroidery school that brings traditional techniques to a global audience. Her teaching style — a seamless blend of high-quality pre-recorded demonstrations and interactive live classes — ensures accessibility, flexibility, and excellence. Students benefit not only from her RSN-level expertise, but also from her warmth, humour, and constant presence in group chats and WhatsApp communities.
Whether you’re learning how to stab-stitch with two hands or exploring the art of goldwork, Kelley’s teaching is known for being supportive, thorough, and uplifting. She discusses her favourite techniques, such as surface embroidery and stumpwork, and offers reassuring tips for left-handers and beginners alike.
Advice for Aspiring Teachers and Makers
Kelley ends the episode with invaluable advice for those thinking about teaching textiles: start small, knock on doors, work collaboratively, and take your time. From booking venues and making contact with local education providers to building a presence on social media, she offers a roadmap built on experience and encouragement.
Her parting message? “It’s a long game — but stitching in company, even virtually, makes the journey worthwhile.”
What You’ll Learn by Tuning In
- The real experience of a traditional embroidery apprenticeship
- How Kelley transitioned from corporate life to creative fulfilment
- Practical insights into teaching, pricing, and online course delivery
- The difference between conservation and restoration in textile work
- Tips for aspiring textile artists, tutors, and entrepreneurs
- Why hand embroidery is both fine art and deeply personal craft.
Listen now or tune into Textile Talk from your favourite podcast platform.
