Hand & Lock Arvostelua 

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 form 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!

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!!

I first discovered H&L when I purchased various materials from them which arrived promptly and are of excellent quality. I then decided to complete the Machine Embroidery Masterclass in-house which was very informative, interesting and enjoyable. This experience encouraged me to sign up for a couple of the Diploma modules and some regular online courses with them, the materials for which arrived quickly and are very high quality and quantity. The tutors are extremely professional, enthusiastic and encouraging, always available to give guidance and advice. I highly recommend Hand & Lock!!!

I was having difficulty sleeping one night last summer. And, of course, I did what all of us do. I scrolled on Facebook to see what was new. And the rest is history as they say, because I happened upon a post for Hand & Lock. Since I am from the USA where we don’t have the deep tradition of needlework from any company that would compare to Hand & Lock. We think of needlework as a craft and the UK sees it as an art. And after literally looking at each kit, course, and every other item on the menu of the website I realized I was on the road to a new understanding of how truly artful needlework is! I jumped right in and signed up for the pumpkin goldwork class. It was so much fun and was like nothing I have ever experienced before. The kit came with such beautiful supplies.I have been doing needlepoint, cross stitch, sewing, knitting and crocheting since I was 6 and that was 60 years ago. Where have you been all my life? I can honestly say I may be a little obsessed now. I think I might now have enough projects to last for years. But like some other pleasures you can never have too many. I am currently taking the Emerald Counted Threads Masterclass and my project is turning out so beautifully. Lucy and Freya are both wonderful, patient, enthusiastic, and skilled instructors. I feel there is going to be many more classes in my future. Who knew that a person can get a diploma in embroidery! I sure didn’t.

I have attended a few online classes with Hand and Lock and I have to say I throughly enjoyed every moment. Both Lucy and Freya are so friendly in their approach. They take you through each step as if you are a total beginner which I think is amazing as you feel confident that you can create the projects that they are teaching. They are always on hand to offer advice and guidance and are happy to answer any questions outside of the lesson.

The classes have a lovely relaxed vibe so you can have a little chat and get to know each other whilst sewing, you also have a comfort break halfway through which gives you time to grab another cuppa.

I will definitely be enrolling on more online classes, I am hoping that one day I will be able to have a class face to face in the Hand and Lick studio.

It’s always a pleasure studying at Hand&Lock. The instructors are first rate. Lucy Martin taught this particular course and I so valued her knowledge and experience in working with this style/application of goldwork.
The quality of materials provided that we work with in our course studies are always exceptional.
Amazing courses and instruction. I highly recommend!

He comprado varios kits con diseños preciosos, instrucciones claras y materiales de primera calidad.

I love everything I eat from H&L, and their customer service is top notch too. At Christmas I asked for fewer presents of better quality and my husband bought me the sun brooch made of gold work and I love it!

Every product I bought there was of the best quality. The embroidery scissors are the best I one.

I have taken several classes (both in person and online) with Lucy, Freya and the team, all of which have been fantastic! They are so enthusiastic and excellent teachers, always available to help!

After attending one of the H&L courses I decided to buy one of their beautiful leather cases to keep my current project in. The embroidery case is stunning. Gorgeous Liberty print fabric on the inside with pockets and pouches for beads, Goldwork bullion, sequins, tools and a cute little cushion for pins too. I’m over the moon with it. It also comes with a dust cover to keep it safe from scratches. Now I can take my projects on holiday too. I love it.

Hand & Lock are so prestigious and have such a rich history, I feel very lucky to be able to participate in an online class, led by Freya. The design for Contemporary Couture Embroidery is outstanding and has many different techniques which I'm looking forward to learning. The kit contains all the supplies you need and everything is so well presented. I'm already looking at what other classes I can take, or indeed, how many!

Up to today, I followed 3 online classes with H&L : Haute Couture Embellishment, Goldwork Dragonfly and Exploration of Contemporary Goldwork. The first course helped me recover from burnout. It has been both soothing and gratifying. I learned so much !!! Lucy has been a wonderful teacher. No stress, only encouragements, lots of tips and advice. And her experience in the industry has been invaluable. I had no experience with tambour beading and thought, after the first session, that I would never manage. But Lucy has the perfect approach and was very reassuring. So much so that I managed to tame the beast. And now I LOVE tambour beading !!!! Each course I took with H&L ever since has taught me so much technically ! And I love that the themes are always modern and beautiful.
The best investment I ever made for myself !!!! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

Learning with Hand and Lock is like being enclosed in a heavenly world of embroidery. The teachers are experienced, both in the techniques but also in the teaching of them. They have the patience of saints and the ability to make you feel as if you really can master anything. Whether in-person or on-line, the class sizes are small. I highly recommend them.

I recently discovered Hand & Lock, and over the last month or so have purchased both products and classes. The only problem I’ve found is that they offer such a beautiful quality product once you’ve purchased something it’s hard to stop! The quality and craftsmanship is fantastic and the timely manner in which goods arrive (on the other side of the world to where I live) second to none! I am also undertaking online classes and feel the patience and way classes are delivered really offer a great way to increase your skills in a supported and positive environment. I have learnt many new skills in the classes and they have become a highlight of my working week. I can’t recommend their products and teaching highly enough! Special mention to Eve who assisted with an account email update and Freya, top customer service and awesome teaching :) Thank you!

Couldn’t be happier with the embroidery cases I have purchased, the classes I’ve taken, the goldwork supplies, and jewelry! Absolutely fabulous team with excellent customer service.

I took part, from Australia, in a 3-day online course (Lord of the Privy Council Goldwork, 7-9/2/2025) with Lucy Martin, as part of the Crewel Work Company’s Lady Anne’s Needlework Festival. Lucy’s professionalism, organisation and expertise in presenting the course were beyond expectations. Without exception, Lucy was positive, respectful and enthusiastic, demonstrating not only a deep level of skill but also passion for her work with Hand and Lock. She aptly managed the class with participants from diverse levels of prior experience in goldwork and/or online learning. Questions were addressed promptly and with substantial follow/up. Freya’s prompt follow up at the conclusion of the course was additionally informative and appreciated.

Great kit with the course
Fantastic instruction
Good use of zoom and WhatsApp during lesson
Well paced content

I am so happy I found Hand and Lock. They are truly amazing and inspiring. From first doing a goldwork taster class about 3 years ago, I have gone on to do several other full workshops and courses including silk shading and monogramming. Some of these have been in person, some online. My most recent was online Decorative Ornamental Lettering last Autumn. I never would have had the confidence to tackle the goldwork techniques covered on my own. My overall embroidery skills have improved far beyond my expectations and the tutors are so lovely. Lucy is so knowledgeable and has so much skill and enthusiasm. She also has the patience of a saint dealing with people's different levels of ability. I have also made friends through the classes that I meet up with. Really I can't recommend Hand and Lock highly enough.

I ordered goldwork supplies and material from Hand and Lock. It is hard to source these supplies in Canada. The web page is a beautiful shopping experience. There are free guides-to-materials you can download in resources. If they dont carry a product, there is a download for other UK suppliers. It is important to Canadians who our shopping $ supports. This long standing buisness is ethical to their employees and take pride in their products and services. The products arrived in perfect condition in environment friendly cardboard boxes and individual vellum packages not plastic. Despite the distance and customs, l recieved my order quickly. I am a repeat customer. Thankyou Hand&Lock customer service.