'When you only have one life to live and need to juggle between your job and your passion, online courses can be a real lifesaver. I've sampled a wide array of courses in various languages, but none have impressed me quite like the Hand & Lock London School.
They have a unique touch that I find nowhere else. Hand & Lock mix professionalism with an interactive online experience, making learning enjoyable and engaging. Explaining the complex details of embroidery techniques while ensuring that even the shyest students feel comfortable participating is no easy performance, but they manage it admirably!
I am so thrilled with their courses that I've taken the plunge and enrolled in their new “Diploma” program. And guess what? I am already loving every moment of it! If you're on the lookout for something new and exciting to learn, I highly recommend giving Hand & Lock London School a try. Trust me, you won't be disappointed!'
Sonja
'I enrolled in the Hand & Lock Diploma online course, and I couldn’t be happier with my decision. This online format is an excellent opportunity - as I don’t live in the UK, I can finally benefit from Hand & Lock’s exceptional teaching from afar. The beautiful embroidery materials arrived in advance, carefully packaged in a lovely box, making the experience even more special. I have already completed four sessions of the Goldwork Module with Lucy Martin, who not only shares her incredible expertise but also her enthusiasm, creativity, and deep passion for embroidery. She is attentive to our questions, explains techniques with clarity, and motivates us every step of the way. The live video sessions are well-structured - the close-ups make it easy to follow every stitch and gesture. Plus, each session is recorded, allowing us to review and absorb the techniques at our own pace. Each module comes with comprehensive and well-crafted pedagogical documentation, which enriches the learning experience. This Diploma Course is beautifully designed, intense, and truly inspiring - I highly recommend it to anyone passionate about embroidery!'
Emmanuelle
'I have recently started the diploma and my experience has been nothing but positive, Charlotte was an amazing guest tutor and Lucy and Freya are brilliant. The quality of tuition is high, these ladies are very talented. The class sizes are nice and it’s lovely to experience this with people from all over the world. Online classes are so well done you don’t feel like you’re missing out because you’re not face to face. The kits for the classes come early so you have everything ready before your course starts. They are always nicely presented and made up of quality materials and the pdf resources are great. When I have purchased supplies, again the range of materials are fabulous - a little treasure trove. It’s good to know whatever you buy from the shop will be of good quality. They arrive at a good time too. Hand and Lock are a rare institute that encourages a positive, creative community and continuously keeps a high standard. Students are worldwide, which is really lovely.'
Rachel
'Currently I am halfway through the Interiors course for the Hand and Lock Diploma and I am loving every second of it! First of all: I think it’s amazing they offer the course online, so while I live in the Netherlands I am still able to attend school and learn new things! Secondly the teachers from the course (Lucy and Charlotte) are very kind and bubbly. And besides being always very inspired by them, I am also feeling very welcomed! They really try to get the best out of everyone and get you out of your comfort zone (in regards to embroidery). Overall: I really hope to do more courses in the future!'
Anna
'I've recently started the Embroidery diploma with Hand and Lock and am thoroughly impressed by the course so far. All lessons are taught via Zoom, with clear instruction from the lovely friendly tutors Lucy and Freya. We are shown close ups of how to work each stitch in detail and have plenty of time and opportunity to ask questions. Lucy and Freya are brilliantly encouraging and positive in their teaching methods and feedback to students and the creation of WhatsApp groups enable all students to share photos of their work and discuss materials etc.Each module of the course comes with its own beautifully packaged kit of supplies needed which are a delight to use.Communication is excellent, right from enrolling on the course some months ago, to regular email and WhatsApp updates each week. I would thoroughly recommend this course.'
Sam
'I have loved all of the courses I’ve taken with Hand & Lock so far. Lucy, Freya and Charlotte are all so encouraging and uplifting to be around and have been really inspiring tutors to learn from. Their teaching has helped me to develop my skills in various forms of hand embroidery, as well as flocking and foiling. Each course has been full of different techniques and their kits include a range of exciting materials to experiment with. I can’t wait to finish the Hand & Lock Diploma and take more courses in the future!!'
Emily
'I recently started the new Diploma course being run by the Lucy & Freya of the Hand & Lock School and it is FANTASTIC! I am learning so much - and the teaching is well-paced and really focuses on supporting everyone as well as developing each person’s skill, accuracy and technique. I also love the focus on design - I can already see myself moving towards making my own bespoke pieces, which not so long ago would have been a fairly far-off dream. Thank you so much Lucy and Freya - and of course it wouldn’t do to forget Charlotte’s fab teaching of flocking, foiling and silk painting for interiors!'
Isabelle
'I’ve recently started the Hand and Lock Diploma. I am so impressed with the quality of the kit, which contains a large quantity of beautiful supplies. The online teaching by Lucy and Freya is highly professional and helpful. The creation of WhatsApp groups for each module means that I can interact with other students, and we are sharing ideas, progress with homework and problems there too. I have studied with other hand embroidery schools, both online and in person. My experience with Hand and Lock is in a class of its own; it’s relaxed, encouraging and supportive at the same time as being challenging. It’s also great value for money. I’m looking forward to other Diploma modules.'
Sarah
'I’ve taken many classes from Hand and Lock and am now in their diploma program. Nothing in the US is even remotely close in quality and content. Lucy and Freya teach the classes for all levels of experience in a kind and gentle manner. After having taken so many classes I was beginning to get a little bored, but wham! They upped the ante by starting the diploma program, the most challenging embroidery classes I have encountered.'
Chris
'I am on the new Hand and Lock Diploma course - it is amazing! Learning new knowledge and so many new skills, as well as meeting incredible people from all over the world. Lucy and Freya are wonderful. The whole experience is remarkable - thank you. I would highly recommend any embroidery class….and particularly the new Diploma! Brilliant'
Anne
'I’ve taken a few Hand & Lock courses and been to the studio for a tour. I really can’t recommend their school and shop enough - knowledgeable staff and tutors, accompanying kits for classes are generous and exquisitely presented and the tutors’ knowledge is second to none. I’m doing another Embroidery school’s diploma at the moment and I will be signing up when I’m finished to do a second diploma at Hand & Lock - their experimental teaching style is exemplary and their generosity of sharing their knowledge and experiences is their strength. In a modern world - they are flying the flag for age old embroidery and embellishment techniques but bringing them squarely into the 21st century. What are you waiting for? Sign up today and begin your creative journey today - you won’t regret it!'
Sue
'I’m currently on the diploma course and I’m absolutely loving it. Hand and Lock are a fantastic company who have some of the best tutors I’ve come across. Lucy, Freya and guest tutor Charlotte are all amazing. Would highly recommend the courses.'
Tina
'I’ve just recently discovered Hand & Lock’s wonderful online courses. I’ve had the pleasure of having Lucy Martin as my tutor and I am in awe of the talents that this girl has. When I learned how young she was, I was further in awe. The versatility of things that she does, and she does extremely well is just amazing. And to top it off, she is incredibly calm, confident and very funny. I can’t say enough about how well the courses are run, the content is just incredible and the quality of the products is second to none.'
Robyn
'I come from a different creative background to embroidery and I wanted a challenge in the Diploma, whilst being supported as I learn the different techniques. I get that in abundance in enjoyable classes. The tutors are great fun but at the same time so professional.'
Jillian
'I can’t recommend Hand and Lock highly enough! From their gorgeous shop of high quality products to their incredible teaching that’s helped me rediscover myself as an artist over the years. I’m currently doing the diploma and loving it. The tutors are so supportive and encouraging, you can ask questions without judgement and bond with other students throughout the process'
