Stitching Ashbourne

10am–5pm | Drop in throughout the day

With Laura Burrill | Every Stitch A Story

Developed during a period of change and renovation in the town, the project created a space for people to come together, make and reconnect with Ashbourne and one another.

At the centre of the artwork are landmarks chosen by the community – St Oswald’s Church, Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School, the Gingerbread Café and Market Square. Around them sit 174 narrative squares, each contributing personal memories, reflections and celebrations of the town. 

More than 200 people took part across 24 public workshops held in schools, churches, cafés, pubs and other community spaces. Participants of different ages and abilities weren't simply contributing stitches: they helped shape the design, scale and content of the finished piece, becoming co-authors of the story it tells. 

The result is a collective portrait of Ashbourne created through hundreds of hands, conversations, memories and individual contributions.

Look closely at the landmarks, follow the individual narrative squares and discover a town's heritage told from the perspective of the people who live there.

About Laura Burrill

Laura Burrill is a Derbyshire-based textile artist whose work brings together textiles, heritage, storytelling and community participation.

Through Every Stitch A Story, she creates and facilitates projects that explore the stories held within people and places through stitch and shared making.

Laura is also one of the artists leading the Dare to Dream Sewing Bee at Women Who Make, so visitors can move from seeing the possibilities of community-made textiles to contributing to a new collective work themselves.

Festival entry is free

The Brailsford Bayeux is free to explore and drop-in throughout the day. No separate booking is required.

We'd love you to register for the festival so we can keep you informed of any updates and important information ahead of the day. Registering also helps us understand how many people will be joining us and plan for the day.

Register your free festival place – Eventbrite

Accessibility

Accessibility information for Masson Mills, Home by Milestone and the festival can be found on the main Women Who Make Festival event page.

You can also find detailed venue access information on the Masson Mills website.

If you have any access requirements or would like to discuss your visit with us, please get in touch.