Hand & Lock School Testimonials

'I love the entire class and the ability to stitch in my pjs while learning a new or improving my embroidery. I am not one to ask a lot of questions, so usually I am in the background listening to everyone's else questions and conversations. But I found the feedback wonderful from Lucy.'

'I am currently taking my first Hand & Lock course. Freya is an excellent, friendly and very patient teacher. I’ve even learnt how to thread a needle correctly for the first time! The WhatsApp group is an excellent way to send photos and queries to Freya and share with everyone. I am enjoying this so much that I will definitely be booking a second one.'

'Lucy's design gave me the opportunity to try a number of techniques so with the format and close-up view of Lucy's work it was outstanding. It was the first online embroidery class I have tried and the technology used was very impressive. I will definitely be booking on more classes with Lucy. I found the recordings invaluable as you could watch any sections that you found tricky again and again. Lucy's is generous sharing her knowledge and her enthusiasm makes her a wonderful teacher.'

'Great comfortable and inviting space. It was amazing to look at all the samples in the bead room, to see different examples of tambour beading. Freya was a wonderful teacher that described and demonstrated tambour excellently. It was also lovely to hear about some of her experience and all her great tips. Everything was wonderful from start to finish! Thank you for the brilliant experience!'

'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.'

'Libby's enthusiasm was infectious. She is an excellent tutor - my favourite part was seeing all of the varieties of passementerie each student made!'

'It was a great experience - Amy has the patience of a saint and real expertise.  She was able to pinpoint where I was going wrong and offer suggestions.  Created a really relaxed class atmosphere.'

'I’m currently taking my second online course with Hand & Lock. Lucy and Freya have a similar relaxed teaching style, which allows enough time for clear demonstration and explanation of particular techniques alongside asking questions and seeking advice. The online format with use of a WhatsApp group to share progress pictures works really well and I’ve never felt like the pace hasn’t been right. If you’re debating whether or not to take the plunge, go for it. The online courses make what can seem like quite a daunting undertaking feel a lot more achievable.'

'I recently undertook their Entomology Goldwork 4 week course taught by Freya and absolutely loved it. It has really helped increase my skills and knowledge which I can now use in my textiles masters at the Royal college of art as well. Freya was the perfect teacher, friendly, thoughtful and very skilled, w definitely keep an eye out for future courses!'

'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.'

'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.'

'I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed this class-words cannot describe how happy I have been with my results from Lucy’s tutelage and H&L’s zoom classes in general. I feel so lucky to be able to take your classes via zoom and thankful to have access to someone as bright, engaging, patient and talented as Lucy. She is fantastic at pinpointing every step of each stitch and communicating that information clearly and succinctly. She truly is a shining star at Hand & Lock and a gifted and well-loved teacher. I know that my overall embroidery skills improved greatly over the course, and I enjoyed learning so many fun new skills. I also very much enjoy the WhatsApp groups that Lucy creates for each class, bringing together like-minded students and allowing the group to go on after the class ends'

'It was the loveliest class, such a beautiful setting, and Freya couldn't do enough to make sure everyone had what they needed, from beads to biscuits and plenty of tea! The demonstrations were really clear and all techniques covered very thoroughly. A Sunday morning visit from Charlie the dog was the cherry on top of a wonderful weekend'

'It was one of the best embroidery classes I've taken. I really enjoyed learning tambour, and I loved the flexibility of the design to create something of my own, not just making an exact copy'

'Learning new skills with the experts in the field is very exciting for me and Freya is clearly an expert! Our tutor created a really friendly & relaxed environment for our online class sessions. She was very patient, attentive and encouraging of our work in progress.. I felt comfortable participating & asking for help. All the techniques were demonstrated in a way which felt so accessible and straightforward, even the more tricky techniques like 'plating'. I'd be delighted to learn with Freya again on another course in the future. This course was fascinating to me as it has equipped me with a range of skills encapsulated in one course. In terms of future courses, it would be the perfect package, if some of your online/face to face couture courses were to incorporate elements of how to select the best techniques to emulate the original artwork/design.'

'I have done the Contemporary Couture Embroidery with H&L, and I loved it! The design was lovely, instructions were very clear and the use of WhatsApp for instant feedback was a brilliant idea. Freya was very helpful! Can't wait for the Diploma modules to start!'

'The classroom is set up perfectly. Freya was patient, detailed and fun to learn from, nothing was too much trouble and I felt included and very welcome'

'The technology you use has been invaluable. I love seeing both Lucy’s work and students’ work so clearly magnified. Being able to see in such detail has helped me improve my skills more than I would have expected. It is also invaluable to have recordings of the classes and therefore be able to watch demonstrations as many times as I want. My next course can’t start soon enough! Lucy is not only an extraordinary teacher but she keeps getting better and better.'

'A big thank you for running such a brilliant, insightful and well organised workshop this weekend. It was lovely to see all the brilliant feedback from the participants. '

'Taking a course at Hand And Lock was a great experience. You were an instructor for all levels of embroidery skills . Directions were patiently given, and you  made sure we had a clear understanding of the techniques. The logistics of the class, materials received in a timely manner, was perfect. The kit organized and anticipated everything we needed to complete all the designs. Most importantly to me, is that what I learned will have a life after class. I cannot end without mentioning that the collegial feeling with my classmates was inspiring.'

'Really really enjoyed my workshop on Tambour Beading and would love to do it all over again! The tutor was brilliant and I left feeling I learnt SO much about H&L and what they do, all about the techniques we were learning and how much I want to do it for the rest of my life! Hand & Lock is such an amazing and interesting company. I really hope to return for another class one day soon.'

'This is such a fabulous company and I am so happy that I found it. I am presently taking a goldwork class and thoroughly enjoying what is a new technique for me. The entire process, from enrolling in the class and actually attending was smooth and quick. Freya and Lucy were wonderful to work with. Lucy is teaching my class and she is a knowledgeable and patient instructor. Would highly recommend checking out this company and trying a class.'

'I took the entomology in goldwork online class. Freya taught at a great pace so we learned new things each of the four weeks. We could practice and work at our own pace between classes while reviewing the week's video that was available for download. If you want to participate on Zoom by showing your progress, asking questions, and being part of the international class participants you can. If you prefer to watch silently you can do that as well. We also has a WhatsApp group to ask questions and send pictures...so it's very inclusive and accommodating. I can't say enough good things about the relaxed yet professional standard of the instructor. We were able to try many techniques and materials that were delivered in a beautiful box with a welcome card.'

'Thank you so much for the course! The materials and processes are beautiful. And the instruction is crystal clear. Now for muscle memory practice :) The downloads are so helpful.'

'I came across Hand and Lock on Instagram earlier this year and have been a loyal student since! I’ve taken several courses with Freya and Lucy and both of them are just wonderful. As someone who had not embroidered before I was uncertain if I could follow along during my first course but Freya assured me the classes are structured for any experience level and she was right. I was able to follow along easily and it’s been an incredible year of courses. Looking forward to many more.'

'Freya split the room in half when demonstrating techniques which worked SO much better than having all students trying to see a tutor stitching at once (great idea Freya!)I choose Hand and Lock courses because I trust the quality of tutoring but I also much prefer the designs you have created when compared to other providers. My favourite part of this course was learning a whole new technique but being able to see progress over the two days to the point where I feel comfortable continuing to practice this technique at home.'

'Freya demonstrated every technique with great clarity and with a light touch. It was easy to learn from her, and even if I knew a particular stitch or technique, Freya’s attention to detail and nuance always gave me something new. Freya brought to her teaching a sense of play that has stayed with me outside of the lessons. I tend to execute embroidery designs exactly as written, so it was really fun to do a project that made me ask myself what else I could do with a given technique or supply. Freya very naturally transmits her enthusiasm! Your courses are amazing, and I feel so lucky to be taking them'

'Freya and Lucy are the most fun and positive tutors I have had and I do many courses! The supplies are very generous and the designs are fresh and offer plenty of variety of stitches and techniques, keep it coming!'

'Lucy was great and provided great feedback on our individual submissions through What'sAp. This was a great online experience. I've taken other online courses, and this was one of the best - great clarity when Lucy was demonstrating, and lots of tips shared'

'I loved how Freya made it so comfortable. We could be quiet for a little while and it didn't feel awkward at all. She made it feel really welcoming. I also just loved the project and the techniques we learned.'

'I just live for these classes! I feel like when I am in them they are great for my psyche-as they are a guaranteed and dedicated time reserved for not only learning, but focusing on embroidery, which brings me so much joy. It’s just priceless. Thanks so so much for it! It’s been just so much more than I ever thought would have been possible with an online platform and it has been so appreciated. You have all made such a wonderful and rich online world that is so much more than I think all of us thought was possible! Thanks so much for your hard work and just know how much it is appreciated by your customer base'

'Thank you for a great course. Both Anne and Freya were lovely and I found the course very inspiring. Everyone came away with lovely work. This was my first in person course at Hand & Lock and I’m sure I’ll be back again.'

'I found the course really hard and I found it difficult to get the technique but Freya was brilliant at encouraging me to persevere and I did manage to produce some tambour embroidery by the end! My favorite part of the course was meeting the other students and having Freya helping and encouraging me to master the technique. I wouldn’t change a thing about the course'

'I was super pleased with the course and overall really happy with the information and content that we covered in the course. Both Freya and Lucy were amazing tutors and were very informative and helpful. Overall such lovely people who created such a creative and calm environment. I was amazed with the tour of angels as well, Molly was a great tour guide and was an incredible experience. I also was really pleased with the materials provided and how many techniques that we were able to learn. I can’t wait to potentially do another course and have recommended to friends to do courses at hand and lock as well as talk a tour of angels.'

'Learning some new skills with a lovely group of international students. I wasn't sure I'd get on with an online course but it was fab and Freya was fantastic as our teacher. Thanks H&L!'

'Favourite part was everything! Nothing to improve! It was the best class I have taken at H&L'

'The education team at H&L is incredible and delivers such beautiful and informative courses. You should be proud of yourselves, and all the hard work you've put in to create such wonderful courses that keep these skills alive! I'm so so excited to see which other places you collaborate with next. Very much looking forward to my next course at Kew Gardens! I have attended several H&L courses now, both at H&L and other venues. All the tutors have been brilliant and give excellent advice and tips for how to improve my work.'

'I value the individual feedback from Lucy in real time. Her advice is very specific which is helpful. She is responsive on the What’s App group as well. I learned many techniques that will increase my embroidery practice. I enjoyed the camaraderie among the group and will continue to interact with them after the course. I also like that the course videos are available to download. Overall, I love the course and will take another one'

'The detailed explanation, tips, attention to detail. How the tutor would go up to everyone individually and check on progress and help. Was a wonderful class'

'The courses have a more dynamic feel to them compared to other embroidery schools and are far more down to earth and enjoyable. Compared to others schools the pricing is far better value for money'

'Freya is a wonderful teacher. Her attitude is so positive and inspiring and her skill level is top notch! The patterns, color and techniques were amazing.'

'So very lovely to have the chance to explore such unique techniques with a very talented tutor in a warm and supportive environment at H&L. Loved going home with a set of lovely samples and many new ideas and skills. The kit supplied was super and well presented. Freya was a delight, making us all feel so welcome and comfortable and providing regular cups of tea which we're exceedingly welcome. She was attentive and so friendly and enthusiastic'

'I'm so grateful for all of the hard work of Lucy and Freya - you have given me the opportunity and inspiration to do all of the things I wish I'd done years ago and you are inspiring others in this incredible field. I'm so excited about embarking on the Diploma to see where it takes me!'

'Amy was really helpful and fun to talk to too. She was really patient, despite my slowness in learning the technique correctly. I really enjoyed the whole experience and learning.'

'All wonderful. Very happy (and a bit sad it's over!). Thanks so much to Lucy for her kindness, patience and sharing her amazing knowledge and skills.'

'Lucy and Freya - you are both amazing. Not only at what you do but you are also the loveliest people too. I love your teaching styles. It is because of the two of you that I have invested a lot of time and money into my passion and I'm so grateful that you will continue to give us the best courses'

'I loved ALL of it, every second of it. This course stretched my knowledge and my ability further which I am truly grateful for. It was an honour to train under Lucy, and I really love her teaching methods and relaxed approach in how we choose to study the course. I think the design is out of this world and I am in such admiration how the design was planned so meticulously. It’s truly a piece of art and engineering combined and I am humbled by so much talent and elegance in this piece.'

'Loved the design. Goldwork is somewhat difficult but the results are well worth it. This is my fifth class with Hand and Lock and I feel like I'm just scratching the surface of all the possible embroidery techniques. It's great to be able to learn new things in a relaxed atmosphere and having the videos to refer back to is a plus. I intend to take more classes'

'Honestly, I think both Lucy and Freya deserve all the credit! They have managed to build such a large community and successful school (and without sounding patronising, at such an early stage in their careers!). It's really remarkable'

'I LOVED every minute of it! I’ve wanted to do monogramming since I was a child, so was ecstatic when I discovered this course. It was challenging and jam packed full of technics that we only scratched the surface of as so extensive, and I really liked that, very inspiring!'

'The pace of the class was excellent and the demonstrations of each part of the course were easy to see and understand'

'I definitely wouldn't be where I am now without Hand & Lock. Mentioning no names, I have done courses elsewhere and they have been such a disappointment in comparison'

'I took several online courses with Hand & Lock, and I must say, they are fantastic! The courses are well-structured and incredibly informative. The instructors are exceptional – they are not only knowledgeable but also patient and supportive, always willing to go the extra mile to help. I learned so much, and the hands-on approach made it all the more engaging. I highly recommend Hand & Lock for anyone looking to deepen their embroidery skills. Their online lessons are top-notch, and the experience has been truly inspiring.'

'I think the materials you get are always really great, lovely, good quality and have enough bits for you to really try things. The teachers are always so impressive, patient, nice and very knowledgeable.'

'I loved the contemporary twist of an aged and historic activity, but Freya was a delight and very easy to follow, concise and clear, helpful without overpowering'

'I’m so happy to have found H&L and the community. I feel so at home when I am in a class. There is always something to learn and I feel like I can really indulge in my passion! The community, the quality of the instruction and in-depth techniques (Lucy and Freya are well educated and know the techniques so well)'

'The pace of the 6 week course was fantastic for me. The sessions gave a real sense of progression through the techniques in a creative and accessible way. Very fulfilling to experience learning on this level. I could not fault the course or Freya’s teaching style, would never have guessed it was her online teaching debut unless she had told us. Bravo Hand & Lock for another amazing learning experience.'

‘Lucy is a delightful passionate and inspiring teacher with such depth that she understands and handles the classes which often have huge ability swings in it with great aplomb’

'I liked using WhatsApp to share images of progress with the teacher and others. I learned so much by seeing how the others were doing, and the constructive feedback given by the teacher.Overall, the class was great. I learned a lot, had a very fun and relaxed time, and really enjoyed the teacher. I will definitely take more classes and recommend Hand & Lock to anyone who might want to take online embroidery classes'

'I loved the clever mixing of tambour and Goldwork techniques. As a beginner at tambour beading, I was really nervous and thought (after one lesson) that tambour and I would never get along and that I would never manage. But Lucy has a real talent at teaching : She took us through all techniques with a lot of patience, in a very relaxed way and she de-dramatized tambour beading. The journey was challenging, exciting and extremely gratifying! I can now say I love tambour thanks to Lucy's talented teaching. I train every day with great pleasure. It was a progressive and comprehensive class that showed us different techniques, aspects and possibilities. Just loved it ! Working along with the other people of the group was also very pleasant. I've already enrolled in the Goldwork Dragonfly class and intend to enrol in the contemporary Goldwork class as well'

'Keep doing what you’re doing - Lucy and Freya are such great ambassadors for hand embroidery, and have developed a brilliant network of guest tutors whose skills complement the ‘core’ embroidery techniques so well. The quality of the teaching - demonstrations, recaps and explanations - has been consistently excellent. Thank you!'

'The encouragement from Lucy to create my own design, despite my severe aversion to making design decisions, was instrumental in my successful completion of this class. It will help me in all of my future stitching projects. I am truly grateful.'

'Thank you for delivering such lovely and interesting classes. Thank you for your hard work and dedication Lucy and Freya. Your love of embroidery really shines through.'

'As my first time ever playing with goldwork I just really enjoyed the new medium (and the design was a definite influence in my pulling the trigger to book...) although now that I have dipped my toe in the water I am thinking that the dragonfly would be a good one because I can see all the different techniques that design would allow me to learn (a little knowledge is a dangerous thing! :) . I also really enjoyed chatting with Freya - having a working tutor (not just a teaching tutor - if that makes sense) has really sparked my imagination about what might be possible as a hobbyist with career change dreams'

'This class was excellent. The way the course was broken down made it easy to follow and allowed me to keep up without much difficulty. I never thought I would be able to produce such a complex project. It came out so well that I would encourage anyone to give it a try'

'The teaching is beyond phenomenal. Each class leaves me not only with new skills but also with new ideas and new confidence. Lucy Martin astonishes me every time with her ability to teach and to elevate everyone’s goals, including her own; and with her extraordinary imagination and talent.'

'I think the Course an excellent one, and Lucy being knowledgeable…amazingly kind, considerate, and attentive to all who needed her feedback while class was in session was huge. She was well organized with her techniques and her delivery of each in a timely fashion of what she had to work with… Lucy’s time management skills are very put together!'

'This class felt like a masterclass - there were more stitches and topics that were covered than I had expected - which was thrilling. Really enjoyed this course. One of my favourites.'

'Lucy Martin is an excellent teacher and an exceptionally talented young woman. She is not only knowledgeable but also generous with this information.'

'I was a complete beginner and it's a skill I've been wanting to learn for years. Due to learning difficulties it can take longer for me to understand new methods which can be really frustrating but Lucy made the teaching so clear and was brilliant in going over things a few times so that everyone had a chance to follow along and try again. Coming in as a beginner there was also so much reassurance and encouragement from Lucy which was really lovely.'

'Lucy is a marvellous instructor.  She is very patient, encouraging and her design was fabulous.  She always answered questions over and over with a bounce in her voice.  Her enthusiasm is contagious and how wonderful that she started teaching/designing at a young age. I am looking forward to taking more workshops with Lucy and also watching her develop in her career. She is well on the way. If I could give more than 5 stars I would'

'Found Freya to be really encouraging and very good at teaching techniques. Excellent!'

'Freya does a great job of setting the foundation for embroidery knowledge, especially in a beginner environment. Taster courses are a great idea, to try something without a giant commitment'

'A great course overall and wonderful teacher who was patient, kind, very skilled and passionate. Glad I could participate online and be part of the WhatsApp for connection to other learners in the group, gain encouraging feedback and share progress.'

‘I don't know how it is possible for Lucy to outdo herself, but each class she teaches is even better than the one before, and each design more beautiful. She goes out of her way to help each and every student master every element of a technique; she is patient and she has an unusual talent for being able to explain a technique in more than one way; and she creates a comfortable and friendly atmosphere. As for Charlotte, her instruction was extremely clear and well-paced, and like Lucy she was happy to help us troubleshoot and understand how to attain the results we wanted. Lucy and Charlotte together are a dream team'

'Freya was very attentive and approachable, walking around the class checking we were ok, explaining and demonstrating in easy terms throughout the whole 2 days.'

'Since this course was my first experience with H&L I have to say that the overall quality of your “service” was beyond my expectation. The tutor (Lucy) is well prepared and experienced, the quality of materials were amazing. An additional bonus was the technical background: it was like being in the same classroom with the tutor. It made the course’s atmosphere so welcoming and helped me understand the task in an instant.'

'The satisfaction of learning a skill again, and Freya was very lovely to say we could contact her if we had any questions following the course - very helpful. Very nice environment to be in and a good length of day too'

'Thank you Lucy for a wonderful learning experience. You bring so much joy to stitching that it makes it easy to learn new techniques. And thank you Hand and Lock for all the equipment that made this distance learning course so easy to access and understand'

’Freya is a phenomenal instructor. She has the patience and skill required to teach. I found Tambour embroidery quite challenging and she was always checking in, and always open to demonstrate the techniques as needed. I have taken three taster courses and this 5 day course with Freya and I have finished each course with nothing but positive experiences.’

'I enjoyed everything. Freya is a brilliant teacher. She is friendly, informative and helpful. The 2 days flew by due to the constant chat that went on and there was enough time to stitch too in between her demonstrations. I didn't feel like I had to catch up. She went around and checked everyone's work and complimented as well as said if any corrections could be made. While there wasn't a step by step guide, she made sure we all had annotated our print outs so we can carry on working on our silk shading at home. Maybe if there was a step by step guide with photos and some tips to look over as we attempt it, that could be useful. Other than that, I'm content and I've booked another course in tambour as she said she would be teaching that. It was a lovely touch to have a certificate to take away to remember the day and a whatsapp and Facebook group to ask any questions once we left.'

'I loved how inviting the atmosphere was. It made silk shading much less intimidating for me since I have found it a tricky technique to learn. Freya was always super bubbly and helpful throughout which made the class lively and dynamic. Additionally the space itself was beautiful and it was wonderful to see so many embroidery pieces and creations throughout the room.'

'Excellent tuition and the opportunity to see things demonstrated by more than one person. The vibe is upbeat and positive and altogether a great experience. Love the upgrade. The school is perfect for what we need and the new lighting and decoration make it even better'

‘I’ll bet you hear this often, but your class was life-changing. I am 76, and not looking too far in the future. Anything I do now is not looking ahead to a career, but for my own enjoyment. And boy, did I enjoy!’

'The course was a joy! There were so many wonderful aspects to the class that is hard to pinpoint a favourite, because the combination of Lucy's expert, patient teaching and the innovative use of materials made for a succession of happy revelations. I learned much more than I expected (and this even after taking many of Lucy’s courses at Hand & Lock). I love how much teaching is packed into each course, how much imagination into each design, and how much enthusiasm into sharing each technique. Thank you!'

'The instructors were exceptional! Their skills are top notch and I’m thrilled to have access to their instruction. They presented the techniques in such a fresh format, it was a delight! Thank you for sharing your love of these beautiful crafting skills.'

'It is such a gift to be able to take the online classes you offer. There is just nowhere in the US that offers anything close to what you do. The course offerings are wide ranging and fresh, Lucy is an incredible teacher, the kits are great and keep improving, and the classroom atmosphere is thoroughly enjoyable. Thank you, thank you, thank you.'

'This was a lovely course, my favourite part was using printed fabric and the number of techniques covered over the 3 days, all of which complemented each other. I am able to think of several ways of incorporating the techniques into my own work'

'Lucy was amazingly patient and clear in going over a technique I just could not get right. I got there in the end! Throughout the classes Lucy gave helpful individual feedback, all the while giving praise and encouragement. I found it a really satisfying and enjoyable course'

'You were a fabulous teacher. Upbeat, incredibly knowledgeable, uber-talented. And, I was grateful that the student chatter never dominated the class. You are doing a super job ... Looking forward to my next Hand and Lock class!'

'Lucy was extremely professional, without exception: She was organised and knowledgeable with respect to both course content and its online delivery to a group with diverse needlework backgrounds and technical levels of ability.  At all times Lucy was respectful to every participant; her attention to fine detail and prompt follow up of questions was beyond expectation. I truly loved our Lord of the Privy Goldwork course. I learned so very much. Lucy's organisation, enthusiasm and professionalism was beyond expectation. I particularly appreciated how she worked alongside us every step of the way'

'Loved every part of it, the tour of Angels was incredible and I haven't stopped thinking about it! Such an inspiring place to be, it felt really welcoming and everyone was so helpful. The course was wonderful, Lucy and Freya are excellent, patient teachers and create a lovely environment to work in. I loved the design and having the beautiful inspiration dress in the room with us, and I really enjoyed learning new techniques and discovering new ways to use existing skills. Thank you Lucy, Freya, Shelley and Molly, and everyone at Angels for having us!'

'I’ve been on a few Hand & Lock courses over the last year or two and have had such a brilliant experience every time. Lucy and Freya in particular have both been absolute gems sharing their experience and skill and I’ve always come away with work I can be proud of, and that I never in a million years thought I’d be able to produce. There’s a lovely balance between the in house education team providing a good range of contemporary courses both in person and online, and bringing in some fantastic guest tutors.'

'I've done two courses with Lucy Martin- just brilliant! Thought through pacing, interesting designs, cool format of video sew-together lesson and Lucy is such an attentive and good teacher! Hand and Lock do a marvellous job!'

'Great site for embroidery lovers! They offer both online and in-person classes for all levels, plus a nice selection of quality supplies. Lessons are easy to follow, and the materials are top-notch. Perfect for anyone wanting to learn or stock up!'

'Lucy, her amazing creativity and her generosity for sharing her experiences and her knowledge was like no other course I’ve experienced.   She is sooo talented in a lot of different aspects.  She handles questions very calmly and brilliantly and is to be commended for her patience.  Course content was exceptional,  challenging and exactly what I was looking for.   It exceeded my expectations in droves.  I will highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in improving their skills.'

'Attended a course with Freya and Lucy at the Natural History Museum, they were both wonderful teachers and the class was so fun and well thought out, I am looking forward to attending more classes next year!'

'2 years ago a lovely friend introduced me to hand and lock courses. I have taken 12 classes/courses with Lucy and Freya and they have all been amazing! I have signed up for their diploma program and can’t wait to start it next year (2025). The Style of teaching that Lucy and Freya have is so relaxed but completely professional and very informative. I love taking classes with them and they are a true credit to Hand and Lock. Can’t wait for lots more courses to come!'

'Love the community aspect with the WhatsApp group and relaxed environment. Because I'm juggling long work hours, I'd love having the option to take a course "on demand" so it's not a burden to the instructor, but I absolutely value the live instruction and expertise of a live class with the instructor. So glad I found Hand &Lock!'

'I was lucky enough to do a course at Hand & Lock, I absolutely loved the whole experience. To be surrounded by like minded people, with fantastic tutors on hand to demonstrate and explain the techniques was heaven! To be able to get inspiration from the displays and samples was so useful. I won't hesitate to book another course'

'I have done several courses at Hand and Lock and have really enjoyed all of them. Quality of teaching, including guest tutors, is excellent. Highly recommend, but be careful in the shop, you'll want to buy everything!'

'I have been thoroughly impressed with every experience I have had with Hand and Lock. I have enrolled in 3 of their online courses for different embroidery techniques over the past year and will continue to do as many as I can in the future. The transactions and communication from them has been super efficient and swift, yet maintaining a friendly and personal approach. The kits received for each course have been absolutely amazing and a joy to receive in the post. The tuition by Lucy Martin on all three courses has been nothing but outstanding throughout. As a teacher myself, I fully appreciate how difficult it is teaching online and yet she has made it so accessible and thoroughly enjoyable. I cannot recommend her highly enough.'

'I loved the challenges! This course offered me an opportunity to dive into more complicated techniques, all the while knowing that Lucy would give me all the necessary guidance and every tip for success. The materials supplied  for the turtle were especially sumptuous, even by Hand & Lock’s high standards; it was a treat to work with such gorgeous wires and bullions. As always, my favorite part of the course was Lucy herself,  an extraordinary teacher who seems to know exactly how to help each student and how to create a supportive and fun community even over Zoom. Taking a class with her is a wonderful and memorable experience!'

'I particularly liked the fact that the design and techniques we were doing was based on a costume from angels, so we could see how the combination of techniques could create a full embroidered piece for costume. I loved the course and really enjoyed being at angels, and getting the tour around the facilities was really fascinating!'

'The tutor was excellent and the atmosphere created by the participants and encouraged by the tutor was very enjoyable. The cutwork element was my favourite part. '