Swindon’s creative community has once again found a home in the heart of the town centre as the Threads Textile Festival returns to The Brunel for a fortnight of exhibitions, workshops and hands-on activities.
Running until Saturday, 25 July, the festival has transformed Unit 19, Canal Walk, next to McDonald’s, into a colourful showcase of textile art, bringing together local artists, makers and community groups under this year’s theme, Threads of Empowerment.
Organised by Artsite in partnership with Swindon Stitch Social and the Big Knit, the event celebrates the creativity and storytelling that can be stitched into every piece of fabric, while encouraging visitors of all ages to get involved.
A spokesperson for The Brunel said: “We are absolutely delighted to host the Threads Textile Festival this year and to provide a space where local creativity can truly flourish. The Brunel sits at the heart of our community, so it’s fitting to welcome an event that is all about weaving people together through art and shared experiences.
“The ‘Threads of Empowerment’ theme is incredibly powerful, and we can’t wait to see our unit in Canal Walk transformed into a vibrant hub of inspiration, workshops and incredible local talent.”
Among the centrepieces of this year’s festival is the I Am Woman Project, a life-sized two-dimensional patchwork figure created by textile artist Holly Searle, better known as The Subversive Stitcher. The striking artwork explores identity, strength and shared experiences through fabric and stitch.
The programme also includes talks and practical patchwork workshops, giving visitors the chance to discover how traditional textile crafts continue to offer a powerful means of personal expression and storytelling.
The festival concludes on Saturday, 25 July, with a market celebrating the work of local textile groups and independent artists. Visitors will be able to browse stalls selling hand-spun yarns, handmade gifts and one-of-a-kind creations.
On the same day, The Brunel will also host its Monthly Makers Market on the ground floor near Boots, offering another opportunity for shoppers to support local businesses and creative talent.
The Threads Textile Festival follows closely behind the Swindon Arts Fringe Festival, another community-focused event hosted at The Brunel. Together, they reinforce the shopping centre’s growing role as more than just a retail destination, providing a welcoming space where local culture, creativity and independent enterprise can thrive alongside its mix of national retailers and eateries.
