Pippa Haynes

Lemon Pepper Studio

Embroiderer

A tribute to nature's tiny wonders

Pippa layers thread to create shading and dimension in her embroidery
She advocates for slowness and intention in creation
Her works are inspired by the flora and fauna around her

Before Pippa Haynes found her passion for embroidery, she was on a different creative journey as a set and window designer in London. A small nearby haberdashery sparked her curiosity for threads and needles, which quickly became her main focus. "In the gaps of busy days and on long commutes, embroidery offered me a soothing pause," Pippa says. Over time, she developed her own language through stumpwork and what she calls thread painting, her technique that combines texture and colour to capture fleeting impressions of the natural world. Today, Pippa works out of her atelier, Lemon Pepper Studio, based in a farm in South Wiltshire. She shares her passion for embroidery through workshops, commissions and a large social media community, where she encourages mindful making and creative connections.

Interview

What principles guide your creative process?: My practice is less about perfection and more about presence. Embroidery gives me time to breathe, observe and process. Every stitch matters, not because it needs to be flawless, but because it is part of a whole. I think we all need more of that slowness and intention.
What is your thread painting technique?: Thread painting is about layering colours slowly and precisely to shape light, shadow and form. I mainly use cotton thread in solid colours, as well as silk from time to time. The way I place and blend threads allows me to capture natural details and gives my embroidery a sculptural feel.
Does your artwork lead your presence online?: I never force new artwork just to keep up appearances. My creative work needs space and patience to unfold naturally, so I only post when it feels right. When I do not have new pieces, I share stories about my farm and garden life, which inspire me daily.
How does nature influence your embroidery?: Nature is everything. Observing a leaf's structure, the shift of a petal's colours or the softness of moss make me want to capture them in my pieces. Through thread, I can pay tribute to these small wonders that might otherwise just fade.

Pippa Haynes is a rising star: she began her career in 2016 and she started teaching in 2020