Drawn Threads and Running Stitches – Call for Papers

3 June 2026

Drawn Threads and Running Stitches

The Ulster Folk Museum (National Museums NI) holds Ireland’s largest public collection of dress and textiles relating primarily to the nine counties of Ulster. This collection includes dress and accessories, lace, linens, and embroidery, dating from 1760 to present day.

Drawn Threads and Running Stitches is a current project at the Ulster Folk Museum focused on the research, conservation, and rehousing of a significant collection of whitework embroidered textiles. The project is supported by The Worshipful Company of Broderers Charity Trust – Associated Joint Venture Project.

Building on this work, we are delighted to announce a two-day conference at the Ulster Folk Museum this autumn, to be held on 12-13 November 2026. The conference will bring together researchers, practitioners, and curators to explore embroidery, textiles, and costume with a particular focus on whitework.

Call for Papers

We invite proposals for 20-minute papers addressing themes related to whitework embroidery and its wider contexts. Topics may include, but are not limited:

• The sewed muslin industry
• Swiss embroidery – hand skills, and mechanised processes
• Whitework embroidery on clothing and dress accessories
• Contemporary reinterpretation of white work in fashion and textiles
• Curatorial, conservation practices and case studies relating to embroidered textiles
• Design for embroidery and transfer of patterns
• The role of the embroiderer in everyday life
• The colour white – dress and textiles for celebration and for mourning
• White goods – bleaching processes and traditions for linens, and cotton

We welcome submissions from individuals at all career stages, including early career researchers, students, and designer-makers. There is also an opportunity to present a research poster (5 – 10 minutes presentation), particularly suited to work in progress. Please indicate clearly whether your submission is for a paper or a poster.

Submission Guidelines

Please submit your abstract as a Word or PDF document:

• A 300-word (max) abstract that clearly outlines your proposed paper or poster
• A 100-word (max) biography
• 5-8 key words

Email submissions to research@nationalmuseumsni.org with the subject line ‘Submission to Drawn Threads Conference’.

Submission deadline: 30th July 2026, 11:59pm GMT
Notification of outcome: 10th August 2026

Please note that National Museums NI is unable to cover travel and accommodation expenses for speakers.