Free exhibitions and
fair trade world textiles markets
across England, Scotland and Wales
details of our new events and new venues for 2026 are being added - keep checking our website!
World Textile Day
East of England – Norfolk
​
9th May 2026, 10 am – 4 pm
​
Mundford Village Hall, St Leonards St, Mundford, near Thetford, IP26 5DW
FREE ENTRY to our exhibition and sale of fair trade textiles
​
In many ways, Norfolk is where it all started… way back when Magie and Bob used to go there ‘on safari’ with the African Fabric Shop. From those humble days, grew World Textile Day at this great village venue in Mundford – just up the road from Thetford and an easy hop from Norwich and Cambridge. We’ve got great support from all over East Anglia – heaps of regular visitors and new visitors discovering us every year.
Join us at Norfolk East World Textile Day for a relaxed day celebrating textiles from around the world. Alongside our favourite returning textile dealers — Susan Briscoe, Textile Traders and The African Fabric Shop — you’ll find beautiful cloth to browse (and take home). We'll have our usual talks plus a hands-on workshop to explore mirrorwork embroidery inspired by the communities of Gujarat, North West India. It’s a chance to look closely at these vibrant traditions and try out techniques for yourself.
​
We’re also delighted to welcome new trader Bryn Pratt-Boyden, who will be talking about and demonstrating kawandi quilts, and new exhibitor Jim Holmes, who will be displaying his fascinating collection of Laos textiles. We can’t wait to see you there.
Our confirmed World Textile Days
2026
World Textile Day South East
Saturday 11th April
East Horsley Village Hall, Surrey
Venue and event details
World Textile Day East
Saturday 9th May
Mundford Village Hall, Norfolk
Venue and event details
SashikoFest Scotland
Saturday 23rd May
Bridge of Allan Parish Church, Stirling
Venue and event details
SashikoFest England
Saturday 20th June
Meppershall Village Hall, Meppershall, Beds.
Venue and event details
World Textile Day South South East
Saturday 27th June
Trinity Church, Lewes BN7 1JA
Venue and event details
World Textiles Market
Saturday 26th September
Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire
Venue and event details
World Textile Day West
Saturday 3rd October
Saltford Hall, Saltford, Bristol
Venue and event details
FAIR TRADE MARKET from makers, workshops and villages around the world -
Stall holders include:
African Fabric Shop
Brynn Pratt-Boyden
Jim Holmes - Fabric and Fibre
Textile Traders
Susan Briscoe Designs
Vanata Textiles
And more...!
​
11am - Talk and demonstration
Kawandi: quilts of the Siddi people of western India and southern Pakistan - Bryn Pratt-Boyden
The Siddis of western India and southern Pakistan are descendants of early African immigrants and of enslaved Africans brought to western India by the Portuguese and other groups from the sixteenth century onwards. Although the Siddis have adopted many Indian characteristics, there are still some cultural elements that are regarded as their own and of African origin. These include the making and use of patchwork quilts, known locally as kawandi, with stunning colourful, abstract designs, and a unique making method. Be inspired by the stitching of the Siddis.
2pm - Mirrorwork demonstration and drop-in session - Imogen Catling
Discover the beauty of mirrorwork embroidery from Gujarat, known for its distinctive use of small circular mirrors secured with dense, decorative stitching. Traditionally used to embellish garments, dowry textiles and ceremonial dress, mirrorwork is celebrated for its bold patterns, vibrant colour and joyful use of light.
This will be a relaxed, drop-in style session where you can sit down, have a go, and learn the fundamentals of setting mirrors securely into cloth and building simple stitched patterns around them. We’ll have examples to look at and plenty of guidance on hand, and you’re welcome to experiment and develop your own small designs to take away.
Please note: In order to reward our speakers, we charge a modest fee for our morning and afternoon talks. Each talk is £6, or buy both tickets at once for just £10! Tickets on the door.
Plus: delicious onsite catering and refreshments all day
Venue info
-
Mundford Village Hall, St Leonards St, Mundford, near Thetford, IP26 5DW. Tel: 01786 835155
-
Link to venue: www.mundfordvillagehall.org.uk
-
Disabled access
-
Free parking
Rail info
-
Stations – Thetford and Brandon
-
From Cambridge to Thetford – 45 minutes
-
From Norwich to Thetford – 35 minutes
-
From London Kings Cross to Thetford – 1 hour, 50 minutes
-
From Cambridge to Brandon – 45 minutes
-
From Norwich to Brandon – 45 minutes
-
From London Kings Cross to Brandon – 1 hour, 30 minutes
Road info
-
From Cambridge via A14 and A11 – 60 minutes
-
From Norwich via A11 and A34 – 55 minutes
-
From London via M11 and A11 – 2 hours, 20 minutes
Google Maps
-
Link: Mundford Village Hall