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A Stitch In Time Costume Exhibition

Name: A Stitch In Time Costume Exhibition
Start: 2026-04-06T11:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-04-10T15:00:00+00:00
Location: Carriage Works

April 6th @ 11:00 am - April 10th @ 3:00 pm

A Stitch In Time Costume Exhibition

Swindon’s History in the Making: Local Volunteers Unveil Victorian Costume Collection at the Carriage Works

SWINDON, UK — Monday 6th – Friday 10th April 2026

The Stitch In Time Costume Exhibition is bringing Swindon’s railway heritage to life this spring. A stunning new collection of Victorian costumes, handcrafted by a dedicated team of local volunteers, will be officially unveiled at a special exhibition in the historic Carriage Works on London Road.

A Unique Heritage Collaboration

The exhibition is the centrepiece of an ambitious collaboration between Swindon Heritage Preservation (SHP) and Prime Theatre, funded by the GWR Community Fund.

This partnership has evolved from a single-actor performance into the immersive “Meet the Smiths” experience, designed to celebrate the migration stories of the families who built “Railway Town” as part of the nationwide Railway 200 (R200) celebrations.

From Knitted Swimsuits to Victorian Gowns

The talented sewing circle behind the collection was largely formed from the Health Hydro Knitters—the same group renowned for creating the viral knitted swimsuits for the reopening of Swindon’s historic Health Hydro.

While they are masters of the needle and thread, this project offered a new horizon.

Over a two-day intensive workshop in February, the 14 ladies traded their knitting pins for sewing machines and heritage patterns. The project has been a significant opportunity for the group to:

Challenge their technical abilities
Master period-accurate tailoring
Build confidence with new skills
Forge new friendships
Gain professional-grade heritage experience

Bringing the Smith Family to Life

To ensure historical accuracy, two local historians researched the real residents of the Railway Village in 1901 using census records.

From this research, Prime Theatre has developed interactive scripts for four characters:

Mr Robert Smith
Thomas (aged 11)
Caroline (aged 18)
Minnie (aged 13)

These characters will lead interactive performances at the Railway Village Museum, engaging visitors in authentic conversations about life during the expansion of the GWR network.

The “Meet the Smiths” experience allows visitors to step directly into the world of a 1901 railway family.

“This collaboration with Prime Theatre and our wonderful volunteers allows us to move beyond static displays,” says Nellie Pitts, Project Manager at SHP.
“It has been a joy to see the Health Hydro Knitters embrace this new challenge. Their craftsmanship ensures that when a child meets ‘Minnie Smith,’ they aren’t just watching a play—they are stepping into 1901.”