Shepton to host dress stitched by 380 people in 51 countries

By Laura Linham 27th Oct 2026

Local News by Laura Linham 13 minutes ago

It took 14 years, 380 people and a journey across 51 countries to create a single dress. Now the silk garment, stitched with the stories of refugees, war survivors and embroiderers around the world, is coming to Shepton Mallet for one day only.

The Red Dress will be displayed on Saturday, 31 October, as part of the Stitching4All and Craft4Crafters show. Organisers say it will be the artwork's first appearance at the showground.

Created by British artist Kirstie Macleod, the project began in 2009 and continued until 2023. Pieces of the dress, and later the completed garment, travelled between contributors around the world.

Its 87 panels of burgundy silk carry embroidery by 367 women and girls, 11 men and boys, and two non-binary artists. Contributors include refugees from Palestine, Syria and Ukraine, people seeking asylum in Britain, and survivors of war and genocide.

The project gave participants space to express their identities and experiences through stitching. All 141 commissioned embroiderers were paid and continue to receive a share of exhibition fees and merchandise sales.

According to the project's website, the collaboration earned a place in Guinness World Records 2026 as the largest collaborative embroidery project. Alongside the commissioned work, visitors at exhibitions and events added their own smaller contributions.

The dress's appearance falls on the final day of the three-day show, which opens on Thursday, 29 October. Other attractions include sewing and dressmaking workshops with The Great British Sewing Bee winner Asmaa, demonstrations by Stephanie Weightman, and quilt and textile displays.

The show opens from 10am to 5pm each day, with free parking. Tickets and further details are available through the Bath & West Showground website, but anyone visiting specifically for the Red Dress should attend on Saturday.