Swindon showcase for subversive textiles

The second Threads textiles festival 2025 will run from July 7-19 across several Swindon locations.

Organised by Artsite in collaboration with The Big Knit and Swindon Stitch Social, it aims to be even bigger than last year's inaugural event.  

The concept of the festival is to bring people and communities together using the power and universality of textiles and making.

This years festival will feature an exhibition of subversive tea towels by textile artist Holly Searle aka The Subversive Stitcher, whose collection of Tea has been created over the last five years since Covid to highlight issues she felt needed a platform. 

Holly said: "They are a time capsule from 2020 through to the present day, they act as a diary of domestic and global events that reflect our society." 

They will be displayed in the historic Carriage Works, and alongside the exhibition Holly will be running two workshops where people can create your very own subversive tea towel.

These will run on 12 and 19 July at the Carriage Works, and places can be booked at www.thesubversivestitcher.com.

Threads will include several other exhibitions across the town including an open call titled ‘Material World’ which will be displayed in Artsite in Theatre Square, and a community exhibition focusing on textiles groups from Swindon that will hang in Swindon Central Library.  Last year Swindon Stitch Social held a workshop in the library, teaching visible mending skills. 

Josie from Stitch social said: "We had a group of seven mostly older women, which was great as this isn’t an age that normally comes to our workshops. 

"Not only did we teach sustainable skills but we also shared skills with each other. There was a young family there and it was lovely to see them chatting to and learning from the older women who brought so much experience and knowledge to the group. 

"People in the library passing by also came and chatted, it felt like a real sense of community. Some of the women exchanged numbers and many wanted to come along to our regular stitching socials. 

"It felt like a great success."

 Another group who connected with the community were the Olive Tree Café who ran a felt workshop for Alzheimer’s Society which received huge praise from those involved, and the manager said: "It would be great to do more projects as you could see how many people benefitted!."

The festival highlights the power of textiles creatively, socially and therapeutically, and will again include an event at Swindon Hub on Saturday 12 July hosting a textiles makers' market as well as drop in workshops.  

Last year's collaboration with The Hub was a huge success, the organisers say, with a huge mix of people attending the workshops.

Swindon Big Knit offered learn to crochet workshops throughout the day and had many people who joined in and spoke of their love of crafting. Stitch Social who ran a banner-making workshop, and a spokesperson said: "We worked with a small group of disabled people, it was wonderful to see their confidence increase! 

"One particular lady who had limited mobility in one hand was reluctant to try at first, but within half an hour she was sewing independently. It was great to see several young men at the workshop too, this is a group we don’t often see at our workshops. A fantastic event!"

'Stitching Communities Together' is the motto of the festival and this year Big Knit will be running a bunting-making workshop at Haydon Wick Community centre as well as a workshop at Cotswold Rise Residential Home. 

Collaborating with venues and local creatives is also an important part of the festival. New College Swindon Textiles students will be showcasing their work in The Brunel Centre and Mams Gallery will host an exhibition by their resident textiles group Stitch and Bitch.

Another Threads collaboration will be with The Wyvern Theatre, The Harbour Project and other local community groups to produce a series of Swindon Prayer Flags which will be displayed in Theatre Square and used to highlight peace, compassion and wisdom to all.

There will be a launch event at The Carriage Works on Monday 7 July from 5-7 [Anchor] pm, when Holly Searle will be talking about her work.

To get involved and to see the full programme of events visit:

@threadsfestswindon on Instagram

@artsite.ltd on Instagram