18 September 2023
Re/thread: A Trail of Giant Sequins
Did you know? Leicester is famous for its textiles industry and currently has around 1480 garment manufacturers. It used to be said that:
“Leicester clothes the world!”
Re/thread: A Trail of Giant Sequins will connect our city’s rich textile history with eco-friendly learning in a creative project for children and young people.
Artist Jessica Grady has created a workshop that uses scrap materials donated by factories and local organisations to make giant sequins. Participants are encouraged to design and create their own giant sequins using recycling, re-using, and up-cycling techniques, which helps them learn about eco-friendly arts and sustainability. Participants will also gain increased social and cultural understanding through the sharing of experiences, traditions and exploring different materials.
Over 1000 local children and young people will contribute to the Giant Sequins Trail and your school or club can join in, for free, really easily.
For 3 weeks, 10 windows in Leicester’s city centre will be decorated with the Giant Sequins and an interactive trail will allow people to learn tips and tricks for future re-using, upcycling, or recycling of textile materials.
Re/thread is a free, fun and engaging project where schools, community groups and families get involved in, with the participant’s works being displayed across the city centre as part of this exciting interactive trail.
Re/thread: A Trail of Giant Sequins follows on from Art Reach’s successful Re/action Festival which took place in August 2023, exploring ‘Creativity for the Climate’, with thanks to funding and support from The National Lottery Community Fund. Re/thread is also supported by BID Leicester.
![A collection of textiles, buttons and other recycled materials are grouped together and made into giant textile sequins.](jpg/gs3.jpg)
Image: Jessica Grady
![A collection of textiles, buttons and other recycled materials are grouped together and made into giant textile sequins.](jpg/img_4279-1-1000x1000.jpg)
Image: Jessica Grady
![A collection of textiles, buttons and other recycled materials are grouped together and made into giant textile sequins.](png/gs7-1000x563.png)
Image: Jessica Grady
![A collection of textiles, buttons and other recycled materials are grouped together and made into giant textile sequins.](jpg/gs1.jpg)
Image: Jessica Grady
![A collection of textiles, buttons and other recycled materials are grouped together and made into giant textile sequins.](jpg/capture1.jpg)
Image: Jessica Grady