The Nettle Dress film showing and workshop by Katie Sawyer

Join us for a fun-filled day and learn all about stinging nettle fabric. This event will begin with a film showing of The Nettle Dress by Dylan Howitt from 11 am - 12:10 pm. 

Refreshments from 12:30 pm - 2 pm - Refreshments are included with this ticket only. 

Following the screening, historic textile artist Katie Sawyer will guide you through creating your very own stinging nettle thread. 2 pm - 4pm 

These events can be booked separately or as a full-day experience. 

Please see the individual event information below. 

THE NETTLE DRESS FILM - 11am - 12:10pm 

12A 

68 minutes 

Space2, Ground floor 

Manchester Craft and Design Centre 

THE NETTLE DRESS a feature documentary UK 2023 / 68 minutes / BBFC 12A 

PRODUCED, DIRECTED, FILMED AND EDITED BY DYLAN HOWITT 

FORAGED, SPUN, WOVEN AND SEWN BY ALLAN BROWN 

'Exquisite, beautiful and inspiring.' Sir Mark Rylance 

THE STORY 

Textile artist Allan Brown spends seven years making a dress by hand, using only the fibre of locally foraged stinging nettles. This is ‘hedgerow couture’ , the greenest of slow fashion and also his medicine. It’s how he survives the death of his wife Alex, which leaves him and their four children bereft, and how he finds a beautiful way to honour her. 'Grasping the Nettle' is at the heart of this story. The challenge of making zero carbon clothing means relearning ancient crafts: foraging, processing, spinning, weaving, cutting and sewing. Making a dress this way becomes devotional and healing. ‘While making the dress over all these years, I felt like I was being transformed by the nettles rather than the other way around, ’ says Allan. ‘When Alex was ill and going through chemotherapy, as soon as I began spinning yarn, I felt calmer. It became much more than just a piece of cloth; it's been woven with the stories of people who know and love you.’ The dress is made up of 14,400 feet of thread, each one representing hours of loving attention. Finally, the dress is worn in the woods where the nettles were picked, by Oonagh, one of Allan's daughters. Director Dylan Howitt says: ‘This is a story about the deep value of creativity and imagination, and a slow, mindful craft that is more in tune with the natural world. 

12:30pm - 2pm - Refreshments 

Stinging Nettle Textiles Workshop with Katie Sawyer 

2pm - 4pm 

Space2, Ground Floor 

Suitable for ages 14+. Under 16s to be accompanied by an adult 

Get ready to dive into the fascinating history of stinging nettles with a hands-on workshop! Learn how to transform this prickly plant into a beautiful and sustainable thread. Historic textile artist Katie Sawyer will guide you through the entire process of creating your very own thread. No prior experience is necessary, so whether you're a seasoned crafter or a curious beginner, this workshop is for you! Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to explore the versatile and eco-friendly world of stinging nettle fabric. 

Host or Publisher Manchester Craft and Design Centre