Patterns of Connection

Patterns of Connection is a series of creative textile workshops run by MKIAC at Milton Keynes College, open to women from diverse backgrounds. It's not a one-off; it runs over eight Thursday evenings: 19 and 26 November, 3, 10 and 17 December 2026, and 7, 14 and 21 January 2027. The sessions take place at MK College, Sherwood Drive, Bletchley, MK3 6DR.

Over those eight evenings, you'll work through weaving, embroidery and Islamic geometry, and there's a social side to it too — participants share stories as they work. The things you make don't just stay in the classroom; they're combined with work by college students to form a collaborative community tapestry. That tapestry is being made to mark the 60th anniversary of Milton Keynes, and it'll be shown at Art in the Park 2027, so you'll be able to see your contribution as part of the finished piece.

It's a slow-burn project rather than a quick workshop, which is why it stretches across three months. The sessions are open to women from all backgrounds, and the mix of weaving, embroidery and Islamic geometry means you'll be working across a few different textile traditions. The whole thing is run by MKIAC, and the final piece is a joint effort between the workshop participants and the college students.

It costs £40, payable in two instalments at the start of each stage. The workshops run on Thursday evenings: 19 and 26 November, 3, 10 and 17 December 2026, and 7, 14 and 21 January 2027, at MK College, Sherwood Drive, Bletchley, MK3 6DR.