Volunteers have been busy making beautiful garments to dress the town over the Barnaby Festival weekend. Around 200 items of ‘laundry’ will hang from giant washing lines down Chestergate and Mill Street in the town centre. Surprised shoppers were treated to a sneak preview this week, when a line was hung to try it out. 

Textile Engineer and bespoke tailor, Brita Hirsch was inspired by the town’s rich silk heritage and its connections with the garment industry. “For centuries, Macclesfield was famous for producing silk that was exported all over the world,” says Brita. “We want to celebrate that heritage and create something really eye-catching. The clothes have been made from material donated by several Macclesfield-based manufacturers who still produce today. We envisage that the lines will reflect that heritage and that they will create a summery, cheerful feeling in town during the Barnaby Festival.”

Brita has been working with students from Fallibroome Academy who will be studying for their GCSE in Design & Technology Textiles, and will contribute a number of garments themselves. Their teacher, Joy Watt, says:

"It's been great for the students to be involved: they've learnt lots of new skills and have really enjoyed working together on a community project. I'm hugely impressed with the work they've produced and can't wait to see it hanging over the Barnaby weekend.”

“Traditionally, washing lines would have connected houses in Macclesfield across back yards and
streets throughout the town,” adds Brita. “The Barnaby Washing Lines symbolise that sense of community and joining together, which is what the festival is all about.”

There will also be miniature versions of the washing lines displayed in the windows of local shops – Barnaby volunteer Jennifer Banks of ‘Blush’ lingerie is working on these using beautiful locally produced silks and ribbons.

 Businesses that donated materials for the project (including  tape for the fastenings) were RA Smart in Bollington, Adamley in Langley, Bubblitex in Siddington and Alfatex Fastening Solutions in Newcastle-under-Lyme.