Lucy May joined the RSN Future Tutors Programme in September 2022.  The Future Tutors Programme is a three-year full time course specifically designed for those wanting a career in teaching hand embroidery to the highest technical level; students are based at Hampton Court Palace, south west London.

Lucy is from Wellingborough in Northamptonshire, where she lives with her husband and two children. Lucy says:

“I have a degree in Fashion Design and have worked in the fashion industry in various guises for the last twenty years – starting out in buying and merchandising then moving into footwear design, going on to run my own boutique and most recently teaching.

When I discovered the RSN’s Future Tutors Programme, I knew this was the next step I wanted to take in my career, one that would increase my needlework skills to the highest possible level and enable me to pass this invaluable knowledge on to others.

Studying in the stunning setting of Hampton Court Palace is a joy and so far we have studied Jacobean Crewelwork, Canvas Stitches and Botanical Silk Shading. All have been challenging and involved very intense learning curves but I think my favourite so far has been Jacobean with its rich history and opportunity for freedom of creativity within the design brief.

When I have classes at the RSN, I drive down, which can take anything up to three hours plus (thanks M25!) and, when I need to, I stay overnight in an Air BnB. I must admit I do find this tiring but I am getting used to it!

Dedicating myself exclusively to embroidery, as I am at the moment at the RSN, means that I am only just beginning to discover my own signature style but the work I have created so far has a definite illustrative quality with an emphasis on bold contrasts and vibrant colours, which I think is testament to my fashion design background.

I have been sewing since around the age of eight when my mum taught me to sew, she has a rebellious side and my inspirations since have invariably had a subversive streak – from iconic fashion designer Vivienne Westwood, who’s recent death is such a huge loss to the creative world, to Holly Searle aka The Subversive Stitcher. These women are an important reminder that the needle is a very powerful tool indeed and I consider myself truly blessed to have the opportunity to study at the Royal School of Needlework.”

We look forward to seeing how Lucy’s signature style develops and to sharing more of her work with you soon.

You can follow Lucy on Instagram.