Guest Tutor Spotlight: Pippa Haynes

Pippa Haynes is the artist behind Lemon Pepper Studios, a beautifully thoughtful embroidery practice based in South Wiltshire. With a background in set design and a love for all things three-dimensional, her work is playful, tactile and rooted in a deep connection to nature.

We caught up with Pippa to hear more about her creative journey, inspiration and what students can expect in one of her classes.

Lemon Pepper Studio Guest Tutor Spotlight Blog

Creating Stunning Stumpwork

Could you start by telling us a bit about yourself and how you came to embroidery?

My name is Pippa and I run an embroidery studio in South Wiltshire. I began stitching in 2017 as a hobby whilst working in set design and it completely captured me. I spent the next few years experimenting and creating, finally settling on a technique called Stumpwork, which is a form of three-dimensional embroidery.

I’ve always created in 3D – whether it was at school, during my Art Foundation year or on my Performance Design degree – so it was inevitable that my embroidery would go that way too.

What have been some highlights of your embroidery career so far?

Over the years I’ve created kits, embroidered accessories and artworks that have travelled all over the world. I’ve taught people in America, Canada, South Africa and the UK, been featured in magazines and taken part in some brilliant stitching events. It’s been a great journey! I love sharing my passion for embroidery so getting to do that through teaching and kits has been lovely.

What inspires your work?

My work has always been inspired by nature and countryside living. My husband is a farmer and we have two dogs so walks through the woods or out on the farm are a brilliant source of inspiration. There’s so much that you notice if you take the time to look.

I also love gardening so often I’ll recreate flowers that are growing throughout the year. The concept of the studio came from a desire to keep these flowers forever – rather than them wilting once they’re picked, the stitched versions will last long after the real ones are gone.

The Joy of Teaching Embroidery

What do you enjoy about teaching at Hand & Lock?

I love coming to teach at Hand & Lock for many reasons - one of which is the lovely space they’ve created. It’s open and bright and full of beautiful embroidery which makes the experience that much more special.

I also really enjoy the people who choose to learn here. Everyone is so enthusiastic and excited to be stitching and there’s a real sense of community in the classroom. One of my favourite memories was when a student came to my Fly Agaric class with tiny mushrooms painted on her nails – the perfect match!

Why do you think embroidery education is important today?

In today’s age, with so much mechanisation and the move away from traditional making, I think embroidery is more important than ever. Machines have become incredibly sophisticated but they can never truly achieve the magic of hand stitching – both in the process and the final outcome.

I also focus a lot on the concept of mindfulness in embroidery – using it as a way to step back from the information overload we all face now. Taking time to make something slowly and with intention is just as valuable as the piece itself.

Embroidery has shaped so many cultures and holds deep historical significance – it should be preserved just as we would painting or sculpture.

Do you have any advice for students coming to one of your classes?

Just enjoy yourself. It’s about finding time to learn something new, to use your hands and to explore a creative practice. It’s not about recreating a piece perfectly – it’s about discovering the process of making and having fun along the way.