Fabrications 2017

A celebration of textiles through the eyes of artists in Pennine Lancashire September 2017

Fabrications 2017, was the UK’s first festival celebrating and exploring textiles and the textile industry through the eyes of artists.

Taking place in galleries, museums and former textile mills across Blackburn, Hyndburn, Burnley and Pendle, the month long festival was enjoyed by over 16,000 people, attending over 30 events across 15 venues across Pennine Lancashire.

Highlights included exhibitions from Serena Partridge, Debbie Smyth and Grennan and Sperandio, a beautiful installation in the Cotton Exchange, Blackburn from Bella May Leonard, a craft fair hosted by Selvedge magazine at Pendle Heritage Centre and major art installations and performances including the premiere of Suzanne Lacy’s film produced with the people of Pendle and World Factory by METIS.

If you’d like a reminder of all the wonderful work that took place during the festival have a look at the gallery. There is also a gallery of photographs on our facebook page here.

Fabrications evolved into our biennial event, the British Textile Biennial, which debuted in 2019 and returned in 2021. Follow the British Textile Biennial social media channels to keep up to date with the latest news and info regarding BTB23.