Thistle Embroidery Workshop

Date

Saturday 1st November

Time

13:00 to 15:30

Age group

16+

Price

£40

Please note this event has already passed.

Embroider a wild thistle wall hanging with Úna Hickey at the Ulster Folk Museum

Join textile artist Úna Hickey for an intimate workshop where you’ll create your own beautiful embroidered hoop wall hanging inspired by the wild thistle — the national flower of Scotland.

Begin by choosing your background from a selection of natural and coloured linens. With Úna’s guidance, you’ll learn the stitches needed to bring your thistle to life, using a stencil to help shape your design.

Make it yours by adding delicate details such as flax flowers, gorse, clover, or daisies. Once your design is transferred to linen, you’ll embroider it using the techniques learned during the session. End the day with a handcrafted piece ready to display at home or gift to someone special!

Úna Hickey is a costume designer from Belfast. She completed a degree in Performance Costume at Edinburgh College of Art in 2006. Since then she has worked in costume for theatre, advertising, film, museums, circus and dance both at home and abroad. She has also designed and made bespoke historical costumes for Hillsborough Castle and Living History. Úna collaborates regularly with the drama department at Queen’s University Belfast as a guest lecturer and has designed and supervised over fifteen productions on the Making Theatre module.

What to know

Everything you need to know about this thistle embroidery workshop

All materials are provided and no previous embroidery experience is needed — just bring your creativity.

This event is part of Ards and North Down Borough Council’s Leid and Lairn Festival; a month-long celebration of the rich language, culture, and history of the Ulster-Scots tradition.