After completing my Jacobean crewelwork embroidery, there was still one more hurdle before I could call the project truly finished: mounting.

Mounting the Piece

Mounting turned out to be far more challenging (and frustrating) than I had expected. It has very little to do with the act of stitching itself, and everything to do with making the piece ready for framing. On the one hand, I completely understand the value — a beautifully mounted embroidery looks so much better hanging on a wall than folded away in a drawer. But in practice? Let’s just say it was not my favourite part of the process.

It took patience, precision, and a fair bit of trial and error to get the fabric stretched and fixed properly. While I did manage to complete it in the end, the thought of repeating this step for every upcoming module wasn’t exactly appealing.

Final Assessment & Marks

Each RSN module is formally assessed, with marks awarded in four areas: first impressions, design, stitches, and mounting. Every area is subdivided into detailed criteria, and the assessors’ feedback is both thorough and precise.

Here’s a summary of my results:

• First Impressions (20/25): Overall presentation was neat, though there were a few visible paint lines and small abrasions on the linen. A reminder to keep paint lines fine and to refresh threads in heavy-use areas.
• Design (42/45): The piece captured the Jacobean style well, with good balance of colour and texture. Some elements could have been angled more naturally, and one yellow tendril ended up a little too prominent.
• Stitches (117/135): Tension and execution were strong overall, with good shading and smooth edges. A few techniques, like battlement couching and laid work, needed more consistency, and some sharp points lost definition.
• Mounting (28/40): This was my weakest area. The fabric could have been pulled tighter, corners finished more neatly, and slip stitches made smaller and more even. Still, it was recognised as a solid first attempt.

Reading through the assessor’s comments, I was struck by the level of detail they notice — things I might have overlooked entirely. It was encouraging to receive positive recognition, but also humbling to see just how much room there is to grow.

Key Learnings

Looking back, Jacobean crewelwork taught me more than just stitches. It was also a lesson in discipline, patience, and craftsmanship.

• Working within a structured brief doesn’t mean losing creativity.
• Patience (and re-stitching!) is simply part of the process.
• Consistency in tension and finishing makes all the difference.
• Tiny details — from stitch direction to mounting corners — really matter.

Looking Ahead

With the Jacobean module complete, I now feel both relieved and motivated. Relieved to have survived mounting (!), and motivated to raise my standard for the next step. Any “first module leniency” will surely no longer apply.

Next up? Blackwork embroidery — an entirely different challenge. Where Jacobean is bold, colourful, and full of texture, Blackwork is precise, geometric, and monochrome. A whole new test of patience and accuracy!