Always on
This project successfully funded on 25th November 2025, you can still support them with a donation.
Stitching Ashbourne
Ashbourne, Derbyshire, United Kingdom
Aim
Create a collaborative textile piece that showcases the town’s built and cultural heritage, bringing the community together in celebration.
Stitching Ashbourne is a collaborative community-led textile art project that invites the people Ashbourne of all ages to come together and create a large-scale appliqué and embroidered artwork celebrating everything that makes Ashbourne special.
At its heart, Stitching Ashbourne is about community, creativity, and connection. Together, we will create a stunning approximately 2-metre-square applique and embroidered textile piece that showcases the town’s most iconic landmarks, from St Oswald’s Church to Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, the Gingerbread Café, and the newly refurbished Market Square in full celebration mode.
A central panel will be surrounded by (we hope) more than 100 hand-stitched squares, each crafted by local residents, schools, and community groups, each one a personal story, memory, or celebration of what Ashbourne means to its people.
Project Aims
Here’s what Stitching Ashbourne hopes to achieve by Spring 2026:
- Celebrate Local Heritage
Honour Ashbourne’s unique cultural and architectural identity through art created with and by the local community. - Bring People Together
Through 10 free to attend workshops in schools, community spaces, and public venues, we’ll connect over 150 people from across Ashbourne. - Empower Through Creativity
Introduce and encourage the development of textile art skills, enabling everyone to share their personal connection to the town. No experience necessary — just a willingness to give it a go. - Spark Local Pride
As Ashbourne evolves, this project offers a powerful way to reconnect with the town’s spirit and celebrate the beautiful place we call home.
What’s Happening & When?
- Workshops: 10 free, inclusive workshops will take place by December 2025. Come stitch your story!
- Artwork Completion: The full textile piece (approx. 2m x 2m) will be unveiled in early 2026 at a special community celebration.
- Exhibition: The finished artwork will be displayed in two public venues in Ashbourne for at least 10 weeks in 2026.
Ways to Get Involved
There are four key ways YOU can be part of Stitching Ashbourne:
Join a Workshop
Come along and create your own square. All materials and guidance provided — no sewing experience needed! Whether you're 6 or 95, this project is for you.
Community Group Involvement
Are you a school, community group, that could host a creative session? We’d love to hear from you.
Host a Workshop
Are you a cafe, pub or venue that could host a creative session? Stitching workshops are a wonderful way to bring new and regular customers to your venue. All that is needed is a few tables and chairs. We're hoping to host workshops all over town at varying times of the week, we’d love to hear from you if you'd be willing to host us.
Financially Support the Project
Stitching Ashbourne has been made possible due to the support of Ashbourne Methodist Church who have provided a generous seed grant of £564, Further funding and support are needed to complete the project. Donations will help cover the cost of materials, workshop delivery, exhibition of the final piece and a community unveiling event.
Be Part of Ashbourne’s Story
Stitching Ashbourne is more than an artwork, it’s a shared story stitched by many hands. A celebration of what we love, remember, and hope for our town. If you're interested in taking part, supporting, or simply learning more, please get in touch! [email protected]
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made