
Edith Miller | Hand Embroiderer
Royal School of Needlework
Graduate 2025
About Edith Miller
Guided by the classical techniques taught at the Royal School of Needlework, Edith Miller’s hand embroidery reimagines the possibilities of traditional craft. Her practice favours instinctive and unconventional methods, valuing innovation without abandoning tradition, allowing space for spontaneity and storytelling through stitch.
The influence of the sea - a place I both revere and fear - runs through my practice. I see it as a metaphor for hidden truths, conflict, and transformation, which feeds into the way that I create my embroideries, often evolving from subject matter such as shells and fossils.
My work explores dichotomy and contrast, allowing me to create unfamiliar aesthetics and forms. Whilst I draw inspiration from organic life, I choose to embroider with mechanical materials.
By merging the natural with the utilitarian, my embroidery explores the tension between soft and hard, delicacy and strength, and the natural and man-made. This duality opens up a wide visual and tactile range that enables my embroidery to feel simultaneously familiar and alien.
Trained at Hampton Court Palace, I am proficient in multiple techniques including Goldwork, Tambour embroidery, Blackwork, Jacobean Crewelwork, Stumpwork, and Silkshading.
During my studies I received several bursaries including those from the Worshipful Company of Needlemakers and the Merchant Taylors.
I have worked for fashion houses including Erdem and Zandra Rhodes, and collaborated with London’s esteemed Milliners, Lock and Co. Hatters on several occasions to create pieces for their seasonal window displays.
Through every project, I remain committed to pushing the boundaries of hand embroidery, celebrating the unexpected, and collaborating across disciplines to tell powerful visual stories.
Recent work
A range of experimental beadwork, material sampling, and concept developments
Goldwork sample on denim
Hand beading, zips, sequins
Goldwork, found objects and zips
3D Goldwork Florals
Tambour, Goldwork and machine embroidery
Mixed media sample
Raisedwork, Goldwork and Tambour
Hand beaded pattern piece on organza
Beaded headpiece, pearls, lace
Beading, studs, goldwork
Goldwork sample on denim details
Found objects sample