The idea
Ravensthorpe Community Centre is thrilled to announce the Kirklees Calico Dress project, inspired by the Red Dress at the WOVEN 25 festival. This creative initiative will unite communities in Kirklees as they collaboratively craft a stunning dress for the 2027 WOVEN festival. With an inspiring vision to celebrate resilience, heritage, and shared experiences, the project invites groups across the district to stitch their stories into unique patches that will form part of the dress.
£4500 of funding has already been secured for the centre to make their panel. This funding will pay for two gatherings for communities to collaborate, plan, and test ideas for their panels. Participants will also have access to guidance from stitching experts to bring their visions to life. The project aims to weave together community panels into a singular masterpiece, representing the diversity and unity of Kirklees. Join us in creating this extraordinary symbol of connection and creativity!
What we'll deliver
- 8 Artist supported workshops in communities to help realise ideas
- 2 District wide community sharing events Including room hire and refreshments
- Complete dress stitched back together and ready for exhibitions
- Project management time to make bookings, organise gatherings, orders, book artists etc
Why it's a great idea
This project is all about bringing people of Kirklees together with groups of different people from different parts of the district, we want to unite people across the area through their stories, and histories. We want to create a vibrant dress that is about everyone and is a symbol of togetherness, hope and a collective effort to be proud of. We hope this dress will go in tour with the original Red Dress to America in 2029 and we want to be loud and proud of Kirklees!
Steps to get it done
- a group identified to stitch each panel
- A date set to bring everyone together
- all panels complete and back together
- the dress is all stitched together
