Swindon24 reported on Wednesday 15 July 2026 that the Threads Textile Festival had returned to The Brunel in Swindon town centre. It was based at Unit 19 on Canal Walk, next to McDonald's, and ran until Saturday 25 July.
The festival is organised by Artsite, Swindon Stitch Social and the Big Knit. The 2026 theme was "Threads of Empowerment", with exhibitions, workshops, talks and hands-on activities for all ages.
What were the highlights?
- The "I Am Woman" Project by textile artist Holly Searle, known as The Subversive Stitcher: a life-sized patchwork artwork about identity, empowerment and storytelling, on show throughout the festival.
- A patchwork workshop on the empowerment theme, built around sharing personal stories.
- A makers' market on Saturday 25 July, with local textile groups and independent artists selling hand-spun yarns, handmade gifts and crafts. The Brunel's monthly makers' market, near Boots, was on the same day.
A spokesperson for The Brunel said: "We are absolutely delighted to host the Threads Textile Festival this year". They described the theme as "incredibly powerful".
The report said the festival followed the recent Swindon Arts Fringe Festival and continued the centre's programme of arts and community events. It did not give opening times or say whether any workshops were charged for.
Source: Swindon24.
More from Swindo: The Brunel.