MACCLESFIELD WEAVES SUCCESS: INAUGURAL TEXTILE WEEK DRAWS THOUSANDS

Macclesfield is celebrating the triumphant conclusion of its very first Textile Week, which transformed the town into a vibrant, bustling hub of creativity, heritage, and community spirit from 19 to 27 September.

The inaugural festival was an overwhelming success, drawing crowds from far and wide to more than 50 events hosted across 15 venues throughout the town. From museums and mills to community halls and creative spaces, residents and visitors came together to celebrate Macclesfield’s rich textile legacy and its thriving creative communities.

Conceived as a community-led collaboration between Macclesfield Community ArtSpace and The Silk Museum, the festival was proudly supported by Macclesfield Town Council and Cheshire East Council. By also bringing together a wide network of independent artists, local businesses, charities, schools, and community groups, the week showcased Macclesfield’s incredible collaborative spirit and vibrant community.

Highlights of the week included a sell-out audience for Sewing Bee presenter and Community Clothing founder Patrick Grant, who visited the town to deliver an inspiring talk at Kings School. Another major focal point was the phenomenal public reception for The Macclesfield History Tapestry, which continues to captivate visitors to the Silk Museum.

Community spirit and charity giving also sat at the heart of the festival. A dazzling fashion show hosted by ArtSpace at the Button Warehouse drew enthusiastic crowds and raised over £1,900 for Windyway Trust. Meanwhile, ArtSpace’s collaboration with Christ Church to deliver ‘Blanket Statements’ saw a unique exhibition celebrating the art of the humble blanket. Its centrepiece was a huge community blanket made up of knitted and crochet squares made during workshops and donated to Cheshire East Hospice.

Beyond the headline attractions, the real success of Textile Week lay in its grassroots programming which animated unexpected corners of the town with hands-on creativity and cultural celebration. Festival-goers enjoyed all manner of activities ranging from belt-making in the Picturedrome courtyard and film screenings in The Park Tavern, to weaving sessions in the scout HQ to a poetry night in Cherry Blossom Bakery! The packed programme also featured accessible knitting and crochet workshops for the visually impaired, fascinating local history exhibitions in the library, hat-knitting masterclasses, print-making drop-ins, and open studio tours welcoming the public behind the scenes.

Quotes from Key Partners:

Vicki Treanor, Festival Organiser for Macclesfield Community ArtSpace:

"The energy across Macclesfield this past week has been electric. Textile Week has helped break down barriers, unlock potential, and open access to the arts for everyone in our community. Seeing people of all ages and backgrounds come together has been truly inspiring. ArtSpace is proud to have championed such an inclusive celebration of creativity”

Dr Clare Harding, Director, The Silk Museum:

"We’ve been thrilled to see the museum and the wider town come alive with activity during Textile Week. The Silk Museum exists to tell the story of a town that changed the world through fabric and design; Textile Week allowed us to bring those stories to life, connecting our industrial heritage with the incredible creative communities across Macclesfield today. The overwhelming public response is a powerful reminder that our town’s textile story is just as alive, relevant, and inspiring now as it has ever been."

Jennifer Holland, Events Manager, Macclesfield Town Council:

"Macclesfield Town Council is delighted to have supported an initiative that brought so many people into our venues, high streets, and cultural spaces. It’s been wonderful to see it all come together so brilliantly. Textile Week highlights the economic and cultural importance of our unique heritage and creative industries, reinforcing our town's status as a vibrant hub of innovation and civic pride.

As the curtains close on this inaugural celebration, organisers are already looking ahead to the future, with hopes to build on this year’s monumental success and make Textile Week a firm fixture in Macclesfield's cultural calendar.

For more information, future announcements, and ways to get involved with Macclesfield's ongoing textile projects, visit:

http://www.thesilkmuseum.co.uk/textileweek

... or follow along on social media:

#MaccTextileWeek

About Macclesfield Textile Week: Macclesfield Textile Week takes place 19-27 September 2026 and celebrates the town's industrial silk heritage and contemporary creative community. Through workshops, talks, and exhibitions, the festival aims to inspire the next generation of makers while honouring the history of 'Silk Town’.

Macclesfield Textile Week is a community-led collaboration between Macclesfield Community ArtSpace and The Silk Museum. The celebratory festival is proudly supported by Macclesfield Town Council and Cheshire East Council, and brings together a wide network of independent artists, local businesses, charities, schools, and community groups.

Our vision is for Macclesfield Textile Week to honour our town's industrial heritage whilst also showcasing its vibrant, modern community of makers and creators who continue to define the town’s identity today.

About The Silk Museum:

Part of The Silk Heritage Trust, The Silk Museum is a premier visitor attraction and accredited museum located on Park Lane, Macclesfield. The museum houses an extensive collection of historic machinery, 19th-century pattern books, and archives detailing the town's rise as the world’s silk capital.

Its sister site, Paradise Mill, offers a unique ‘factory-floor’ experience, featuring 26 restored Jacquard looms. It remains one of the few places in Europe where visitors can see the intricate process of silk weaving exactly as it was performed during the Industrial Revolution.

www.thesilkmuseum.co.uk  

About Community Artspace:

Macclesfield Community Artspace is a charitable organisation that aims to make art and creativity accessible for all. They run inclusive creative courses, workshops and regular drop-in sessions for both adults and children of all ages. They work in partnership with local organisations including scout groups, local schools, and the town council to deliver activities and events in the town centre.

At Artspace, they are sustainable and most of what they use has been donated. They accept donations for craft supplies and recycle these to create costumes and props for local events and parades. They also use these materials to support classes and drop-in sessions.

www.macclesfieldcommunityartspace.co.uk 

Pictured - Sustainable Living Fair.