About

 

 Lizzy Pye

Me with my son out for a walk near our home - I can almost see this field from my studio window, we are blessed!

Hello, my name is Lizzy Pye (formerly Lansberry), welcome to my website.  I am an embroidery tutor first and foremost, classically trained on the Royal School of Needlework Apprenticeship.  I have been stitching for longer than I can remember, thanks in no small part to my wonderful Granny who is sorely missed - she taught me to knit when I was just three!

The moment my love of stitch began to form itself into a career came at the Knitting & Stitching Show in 2004. I met the very lovely Jenny Adin-Christie, and first came across the Royal School of Needlework.  Long story short, in 2006 I enrolled as an Apprentice at the RSN, completely innocent of the three years of hard graft to become a professional embroiderer.  In 2009 I was lucky enough to be one of the final six graduates, finishing with a Distinction and very sore fingertips!  I am proud to be a Royal School of Needlework tutor.

I am passionate about passing on my skills through teaching, and preserving both skills and heirlooms for future generations to enjoy.  I don't very often have time for new commissions, but when I do take one on I always love it, and I find a huge amount of joy in conserving antique textiles when I have the opportunity.

 

I was commissioned to write the Royal School of Needlework’s Essential Stitch Guide: Whitework, published in 2012 and kindly reviewed here by Mary Corbet.  I have worked on embroidery designs with the Royal Opera House and was privileged to be involved in the creation of Kate Middleton’s wedding gown.

In 2020 my second book was published: Goldwork Embroidery, Techniques and Projects, published by The Crowood Press.  This is a really comprehensive guide which you can read more about here.

 

As soon as I graduated I knew I wanted to create an online shop. I recognised a need to provide access to the specialist things I had grown used to being surrounded with on a daily basis.  I also felt it was important to use my teaching experience to write easy-to-follow kits.

I created Laurelin to bring traditional hand embroidery to as many people as I could.

Things have moved on a bit since 2009, and I now carry a lot more stock and have been through 3 website overhauls.

Every product stocked on the site is one that I use for my own embroidery, or one my students use and recommend.  As a practising embroiderer, there are lots of tools I use every day, and some for more specialist projects.  My familiarity with these tools means that I can select the best ones for each job, and help you do the same.

At Laurelin you may find needlecraft tools and materials you have never come across before.  For instance, have you tried using a mellor to help with your goldwork? With any luck the descriptions will give you an insight, but if not I encourage you to ask questions!

 

 Lizzy's Little Helper
Meet Pippin the Parson Russell Terrier… Generally not allowed near the embroidery, sometimes she manages to sneak her way into the workroom and onto my lap for a cuddle, little rascal!