2025

Glasgow was a global textile powerhouse, from the early weavers in Calton (1705) to over 50 factories in the East End by the mid-19th century, including famous names like Templeton's Carpet Factory.

This project connects that legacy to the present by working with people who remember Glasgow’s textile heyday, whether from working in the industry or growing up with domestic skills like sewing, knitting, and crocheting. Before fast fashion, these skills were vital for making and mending clothes. Loom Large aims to rekindle these traditions while encouraging experimentation with textiles.

Participants join textile artists in workshops to explore techniques such as embroidery, dyeing, and sewing, using upcycled materials to create original works reflecting their memories and imagination. The focus is on the expressive and sculptural potential of fabric, moving beyond just wearable clothing.

The project will conclude with public exhibitions and social gatherings at The Pipe Factory when it reopens in 2026, offering a platform for sharing artwork and stories, celebrating heritage, and fostering intergenerational exchange.

Loom Large is shaped by the participants' voices, skills, and interests, promoting collaboration and connection. It also brings a contemporary lens, encouraging critical thinking about fast fashion and inspiring more mindful textile consumption.

Ultimately, Loom Large is a celebration of resilience, creativity, and collective memory, honouring Glasgow's past while weaving a more sustainable and connected future.