Countdown is on as Macclesfield prepares for its first ever textile week

With just days to go, organisers are officially counting down the final moments until the launch of Macclesfield Textile Week, taking place across the town from 19–27 September 2026.

As anticipation builds, the collaboration between Macclesfield Community ArtSpace and The Silk Museum is gearing up to deliver an impressive 50 events across 15 locations.

The Silk Museum’s Natalie Lane said today: "We can't believe the first ever Macclesfield Textile Week is nearly here! We're really looking forward to hosting brilliant voices like Patrick Grant and showcasing monumental community projects like the Macclesfield History Tapestry.

“The week-long celebration is intended to celebrate our heritage and inspire our communities with the joy of making. There's something truly special happening across our town this week, and we encourage everyone to dive in, and celebrate our vibrant creative community," 

Vicki Treanor from Macclesfield Community ArtSpace added: "Textile Week is all about sharing and learning new skills, spending time together, and celebrating the creative spirit that runs through Macclesfield.

“From The Windyway Trust's Reworked Fashion Show at the Button Warehouse and the Sustainable Living Fair, to hands-on workshops in everything from knitting to block printing, we've built a fun-filled programme designed for everyone. We can't wait to see the town come alive; come along, get involved, and be part of something very special."

The festival programme is packed with unique experiences, including expert-led talks, hands-on workshops, and community showcases. A major highlight of the week is the sold out talk at Kings School Macclesfield by Patrick Grant, the acclaimed Great British Sewing Bee judge, author of LESS and founder of ethical clothing brand Community Clothing.

Other festival highlights include:

Macclesfield and The Bayeux: A Tale of Two Tapestries.
Celebrating 900 years of local heritage, this exhibition at The Silk Museum will showcase the community-made Macclesfield History Tapestry alongside The Story of the Bayeux, an interactive exhibition provided by the British Museum. The exhibition is accompanied by a programme of talks, workshops and other events.

Fashion Show: The Windyway Trust’s Fashion Reworked runway event at Button Warehouse celebrates sustainable, upcycled style by showcasing local designs inspired by the natural landscape.

Sustainable Living Fair: Macclesfield Community ArtSpace has partnered with The One Project and The Repair Café to host a sustainable living fair at the United Reformed Church.

Inclusive Crafting: Macclesfield Community ArtSpace will host Learn to Knit and Crochet sessions, including dedicated workshops for the visually impaired.

Study Day: Weaving in Paradise: A brand new, full-day event exploring the past, present, and future of silk weaving in Paradise Mill. The day includes lunch, tours, specialist talks, and an opportunity to view objects from The Silk Museum’s collection.

The Tailoring Academy Open Studio: An opportunity to explore the only UK-accredited Level 5 Diploma in Bespoke Tailoring.

Visitors can also get hands-on in over a dozen workshops, learning skills ranging from belt-making and zine creation to weaving wall hangings, sewing book covers, and trying botanical printing. For families, the festival offers dedicated craft drop-ins and family workshops from Toy Making to Weaving.

Events will be held across a wide network of venues, including Paradise Mill, The King’s School, Macclesfield Library, the Picturedrome, The Hope Centre, Macclesfield Market Hall, and many more.

While many events are free and accessible on a drop-in basis, several workshops and talks are ticketed and have limited capacity. Organisers are encouraging people to book early to avoid disappointment, as tickets for these popular sessions are expected to sell quickly.

For the full programme, ticket information, and how to get involved, please visit https://www.thesilkmuseum.co.uk/textileweek