2026 Making it in Textiles Conference
Preparations are well under way for the Making it in Textiles Conference 2026 with the programme now finalized. We will publish the full brochure here shortly.
Programme - 14 October
13:00 – Registration and lunch
14:00 – Welcome by Gary Eastwood, Chair of the Weavers’ Textile Committee
14:15 – Introduction by Sheila-Mary Carruthers
14:40 – “Weaving the Future of Garment Manufacturing” delivered by Graysha Audren – Weffan
15:00 – “To Weave or Knot to Weave … That is the Aerospace Question” delivered by Jody Turner – AMRC and University of Sheffield
15:30 – “Managing Commercial Complexity in a Textile Business” delivered by Phil Atherton -Commercial Director at AW Hainsworth
15:50 – Break
16:20 – “Finishing the Cloth” delivered by Paul Johnson, Managing Director – W.T. Johnson & Sons
16:50 – “Building a Success Creative Career” delivered by Margo Selby – Textile Artist & Creative Director of Margo Selby
17:30 – Interactive Session with Speakers
18:15 – End of Day 1
19:00 – Reception and Dinner
Programme - 15 October
08:15 – Mill Visits, delegates will visit one of the following mills:
- Abraham Moon
- AW Hainsworth
- Camira Fabrics
- Wooltex
12:00 – Sandwich Lunch
13:00 – “Beyond the Design Desk – Career Pathways” delivered by Jonny MacKinnon – Alex Begg
13:30 – Career Perspectives, discussion with alumni students:
- Andrew Stevenson – Paul Smith
- Becky Bullas – Chase Erwin and thesign®
- Evangeline Williams, Heathcoat Fabrics
- Natalie Mumford, Humphries Weaving
- Towera Ridley, Oscha Slings / Heriot-Watt University
15:00 – Closing remarks by Andrew Winterton

















