Fairy Ring Mushroom Stumpwork with Lemon Pepper Studio

Location: Hand & Lock School for Embroidery & Creative Arts, 86 Margaret Street, Fitzrovia, London, W1W 8TE
Duration: 3 Day Workshop (10am - 4:30pm each day)

The ‘Fairy Ring Mushroom’ (Marasmius oreades) is an edible mushroom often found on lawns or grassy areas, growing in the traditional circular pattern that gives it its name. This piece takes inspiration from the quiet magic of these mushrooms, showing a trio at different stages of growth.

Over three days, you will work with Pippa to explore a range of stumpwork techniques and create three fully three-dimensional mushrooms. You will begin by wiring the templated shapes ready for thread painting, before learning how to wrap the stems and construct the 3D forms. To create the mossy grass, you will experiment with padding, French knots, turkey rug stitch, and a form of thread twisting to give a rich, moss-like texture.

Together you will work through the kit, covering each stage of the process. The project will not be finished in class, but you will leave with an in-depth booklet that takes you step by step through all the techniques, as well as all the materials needed to complete the piece in your own time.

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This course takes inspiration from both a love of nature and the tradition of stumpwork, a form of raised embroidery. Stumpwork dates back as far as the 15th century, when it was mainly used in religious embroidery to decorate altar cloths and vestments. By the 17th century it had become more widely practiced, often forming part of a young girl’s education through the making of stumpwork caskets. These caskets drew on many of the same techniques you will explore in this class, and were also inspired by the natural world.

Over time, Pippa has developed her own approach to stumpwork, pushing the techniques further to create pieces that are fully three-dimensional. Her embroidered sculptures use traditional methods but evolve them into something contemporary, designed to trick the eye and bring nature into embroidery in a new way.

In this workshop with Pippa, you will learn the following techniques:

• Thread Painting

• Wiring

• Thread Wrapping

• 3D Construction

• Padding

• French Knots

• Turkey Rug Stitch

• Thread Twisting

You will be given a full course kit with everything you need to take part. All materials and tools are provided, so you only need to bring yourself.

If you would prefer, you are welcome to bring your own mug for refreshments and your own drawing materials. This is entirely optional and not required for the course.

Lemon Pepper Studio was founded in 2017 by embroidery artist Pippa Haynes. Her work began as a way of preserving nature in thread, taking inspiration from details that might otherwise be fleeting and reimagining them so they can last forever. Rooted in a love of the outdoors, her practice celebrates both the art of hand embroidery and the beauty of the natural world. She approaches embroidery as a space for mindfulness and calm, as well as a craft to learn and refine.

Find Pippa online:
lemonpepperstudio.com
Instagram: @lemonpepperstudio