Royal embroidery – free hand embroidery kits in collaboration with the TextielMuseum in Tilburg

We are honoured to be asked by the TextielMuseum in Tilburg to create the embroidery kits inspired by the exposition “Royal Embroidery”. In this blog, we share more information about this wonderful exposition where you can see both the historical and new curtains of the royal palace. Even Queen Máxima embroidered part of the new curtains!

With our free hand embroidery kits you can recreate your own royal piece.

Check the Royal Embroidery kits

Learn about the historical curtains

Learn about the new curtains

The exposition @ TextielMuseum

Stitch your own Royal Embroidery piece

blog royal embroidery free hand embroidery kits where even queen maxima participated

About the historical curtains from the royal palace

The historical curtains of the royal palace Huis ten Bosch – the residential palace of Her Majesty Queen Máxima and King Willem Alexander – were hand embroidered in the 18th-century in Canton China.

The curtains were made from Chinese embroidered silk and gifted to Wilhelmina van Pruisen in 1791 by Ulrich Gualtherus Hemmingson. Hemmingson used to be the head of the VOC-office in Guangzhou (Kanton).

In the same year the textile was used to upholster furniture, to create curtains and wall decorations.

At the curtains you can see many different daily scenes from China, like playing children, walking ladies, but also houses bridges and ships. You can also see many flowers, trees and birds.

The curtains are now too fragile for use. The historical curtains can be seen in the TextielMuseum until the 29th of May 2023 before they are preserved.

Element from historical curtains.

Photo credit: Staat der Nederlanden / Koninklijke Verzamelingen, Den Haag

Element from historical curtains.

Photo credit: Staat der Nederlanden / Koninklijke Verzamelingen, Den Haag

Element from historical curtains.

Photo credit: Staat der Nederlanden / Koninklijke Verzamelingen, Den Haag

Element from historical curtains.

Photo credit: Staat der Nederlanden / Koninklijke Verzamelingen, Den Haag

About the new curtains for the Royal Palace

The new curtains were designed by The Hague designer Liesbeth Stinissen, who took inspiration from the historical curtains. For example, water and other natural elements play a prominent role on both the historical and new curtains. Where the historical curtains depict a Chinese river, the new curtains show the Dutch river delta. The meandering waterways connect various architectural icons and daily scenes from The Netherlands’ rich history, some of which have a special link to the Royal House.

Koningin Máxima in front of the new curtains at the opening of the exposition.

Queen Máxima loves to embroider. You may not have expected that ;-). During her pregnancy from Amalia she made the pictured cushions. At that time she did not know yet whether she would get a girl or boy.

Photo credits : Josefina Eikenaar / TextielMuseum

Queen Máxima was involved in the creation of the new curtains from the very start. She desired for this project to be an embroidery project that connects. Embroidery groups from all over the country participated and more than 150 members created parts of the curtain after a masterclass by master embroidery expert Anna Bolk.

Koningin Máxima embroiders with embroidery group Pennywafelhuis. Photo credits: Maarten Schuth Productions (Benjamin Arthur)

The exposition “Royal Embroidery” at the TextielMuseum

From 1 December 2022 until 29 May 2023.

TextielMuseum Tilburg.

Reservation required.

Find tickets and more information here.

Koningin Máxima opened the exposition “Royal Embroidery” at the TextielMuseum in Tilburg.

Stitch your own Royal Embroidery project

We developed 3 free hand embroidery kits inspired by the historical curtains of the Royal Palace. The kits are suitable for beginners and contain step by step illustrated instructions.

Royal Embroidery kit Trees

These trees are very typical for the historical curtains and are stitched in shades of ecru, blue and green embroidery floss. To design is stitched on ecological embroidery fabric and fits in a 15 x 15 cm square frame or an embroidery hoop of 15 cm.

Optional add-ons:

Royal embroidery kit Trees – Collaboration with TextielMuseum Tilburg

€29,95 (€24,75 excl. VAT)

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Royal Embroidery kit Flowers

These flowers are designed with great eye for detail. To make the petals you’ll learn to make long and short stitches, also called needle painting. The kit contains step by step illustrations making it suitable for beginners.

Optional add-ons:

Royal embroidery kit bloemen- Collaboration with TextielMuseum Tilburg

€29,95 (€24,75 excl. VAT)

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Royal Embroidery cushion kit – Birds

Birds are a common theme in the historical curtains. On this cushion you’ll recreate two birds that are dancing in the sky. With this kit you can create a cushion of approx 40 x 40 cm. The kit also includes the ecological cushion back made in a social sewing atelier.

Add your own: