Explore the world of natural dyes with artist Charlie Hill

Join artist Charlie Hill to learn how to weave using foraged natural materials.

Charlie will be in her brand-new mobile studio, which is fully tourable by bike! Come and explore the world of natural dyes and use them to print & paint onto fabrics made with plant fibres such as calico.

You will be able to create a colour palette out of natural dyes, which can then be used with a range of techniques such as hapa zome, painting and needlework to build your design. Once completed you can either take your creations home or add them to a growing exhibition as part of the festival.

This event is part of Common Threads Festival, a weaving and arts festival, happening in Sheffield city centre from 9 - 12 September 2026 and produced by The Bare Project.

You can also join us for a Pay What You Can home cooked meal served from 1- 2pm.

Please note: Each session is 45 mins long for up to 15 people per slot. Please only book if you know you can make this event. A waiting list is enabled to help folks access this opportunity.

Ticket Info: Common Threads Festival activities are offered for free to ensure everyone can access this project. However, if you are able, please book a £5 ticket so that the free tickets are allocated to those who need them.

If you would like to add a donation to The Bare Project, please add a 'donation' to your order. This allows us to provide free tickets for our community partners and those who otherwise would not be able to access our events.

Access

Common Threads Festival happens at the bottom of The Moor, near the Moorfoot building in Sheffield city centre.

The festival happens outside so please dress for the weather. In severe weather conditions we will move inside the Aafly building at 108 The Moor.

The street has paving and step free access.

The installation has a small raised stage with ramp access surrounded by tall looms to weave onto.

There will be some seating available at all workshops and performances.

The nearest public toilets are in The Moor Market (approx 300 meters away).

There will be a prayer space available on site.

For further information about Access or How to Find Us see our Access Page on The Bare Project website.

About the Artist

Charlie Hill is a Creative outdoor facilitator and artist based in Sheffield exploring ways to connect to nature and each other through community, creativity and bushcraft. Her practice uses different weaving techniques to create objects about place.

About Common Threads

Common Threads is an international weaving project which invites women and marginalised genders to take up space in Sheffield city centre. It has been created by The Bare Project collaboration with the Higsad Alool Weavers, Re-Water; SunRit Culture Group; the Manor Weavers & other textile groups from across Sheffield.

The Bare Project is a theatre and interactive arts organisation based in Sheffield who work both locally and internationally. The Bare Project create ambitious and galvanising artistic experiences for audiences, rooted in big ideas and in-depth research. They often co-create these experiences with communities of place or shared characteristics.

Common Threads Festival has been made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players we are able to offer all activities with no or low cost. The festival is also supported with by Heritage Crafts, the Radcliffe Trust and Sheffield City Council.

Description supplied by the event organiser.