About

Calico Dress Cymru is back, as we celebrate her continued embellishment and transformation since the residency with us last year.

Calico Dress Cymru is a community canvas for people to make their mark in stitches.  

In April 2025, the dress started a new phase of her journey at the Museum with an indigo dip dye and woollen ‘betgwn’ jacket, an ode to Welsh folk costume and tradition. 

Over the following 10 weeks it was transformed in over 30 workshops led by project lead artist Menna Buss.  Members of the community came together, some with embroidery experience, and many without, to share stories and their connection to Wales:

• Women’s Asylum Seeker Support Group 

• UWTSD Art students  

• Barakah Group  

• 9to90 - GS Artists 

• Swansea PRIDE  

• Chai & Chat  

• Born this Way  

• YMCA Good Vibes  

• Women’s Institute - Gower 

• Swansea Creatives for Palestine 

• Chinese in Wales Association   

• Swansea Sewers  

• Glynn Vivian Art Gallery: Threads  

• Valleys Kids 

• Insole Court Sewers 

• Swansea Carers 

• Museum Staff   

• Plus many open public sessions, including children 

In autumn 2025 the dress appeared at National Botanic Gardens of Wales, Craft Festival Cardigan and Gower College Swansea and there are more exciting plans for 2026. 

The Calico Dress Cymru origin story 

In 2022, Kirstie Macloed’s highly acclaimed international project, The Red Dress was exhibited at the Museum.   

Now a Guinness World Record breaking project for the most embroiderers to work on a single garment, it was created by 380 artists in 51 countries over 14 years.  The project continues to travel and inspire.   

Calico Dress Cymru was created in partnership with the Museum. This is the first ‘daughter’ of the Red Dress - there are now many others being developed around the world. They will be united in future exhibitions.