16th & 17 May 2026
Find out more about our speakers and book onto a talk as part of our annual Textile Festival!
The Narrative Thread w/ Michele Carragher
Saturday 16th May | 11:30 – 12:30
Discover the inside story of costume embellishment in the world of film & TV from Game of Thrones & Peaky Blinders costume producer Michele.
Michele’s talk ‘The Narrative Thread’ will take us through her journey from studying fashion at the London College of Fashion before moving into textile conservation. This then led her to being a costume assistant before becoming an embroiderer on the miniseries Elizabeth I, starring Helen Mirren.
Michele is now a very well- respected embroiderer and embellisher on shows such as Games of Thrones, The Crown and Peaky Blinders.
Throughout the talk, Michele will focus on the design process and specific character developments that are involved in TV and film costume production.
£15 adults | £11 students / unwaged | Carers FREE
Free-form Quiltmaking w/ Jessie Cutts
Saturday 16th May | 14:30 – 15:30
Join Jessie Cutts on the launch week of her new book to hear about her approach to making quilts and learn what you can do to get started!
Jessie’s talk, ‘Free-form Quiltmaking’ will describe her approach to making quilts, how she got there and what you can do to just get started yourself.
The talk links in with her new book, ‘Free-form Quilts and Patchwork’, (Batsford) which will be available to buy and have signed by the author after the session!
Jessie shows quilting doesn’t need to be daunting or require meticulous measurements or lots of planning. Instead, you can design and make up your work as you go along, being playful with colour and allowing mistakes to take your projects in new creative directions.
Come along and be inspired.
£15 adults | £11 students / unwaged | Carers FREE
An Evening with the 62 Group: Meet & Make
Saturday 16th May | 18:00 – 20:00
Join the some of the artists in the 62 Group’s new Touchlines exhibition for the chance to ask questions and take part in mini workshops!
During this 2 hour Meet & Make session, artists Andi Walker, Debbie Lyddon, Ealish Wilson, Hannah Lamb, Jane Walkley, Isobel Currie, and Mei Lock will come together to discuss the process of creating their Touchlines work and curating an exhibition with group members from across the UK.
What to expect
Touchlines (3rd floor of the 1912 Mill) will be open until the event begins at 6pm, allowing you time to explore the exhibition and familiarise yourself with the artwork prior to the event.
45 min – A relaxed, behind-the-scenes chat about their creative process.
15 min – Open Q&A to ask the artists anything.
1 hour – Hands-on stations where you can explore each artist’s techniques and have a go.
Whether you’re an artist, a textile enthusiast, or just curious about the 62 Group and their cohort, this is the event for you! No previous experience necessary.
£15 adults | £11 students / unwaged | Carers FREE
A Quiet Unfolding w/ Hannah Lamb
Sunday 17th May | 11:30 – 12:30
Hear from artist, lecturer and author Hannah Lamb during our annual Textile Festival as she discusses her process and previous projects.
In her talk, ‘A quiet unfolding’, Hannah will discuss how her working process treads a fine balance between control and risk, making and unmaking.
In this talk she will discuss how research informs her making, imbuing her work with richly layered meaning and metaphor.
£15 adults | £11 students / unwaged | Carers FREE
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