Astorga between threads: lace, sewing and tradition
On November 29th, the city of Astorga will become a living tapestry of threads, frames, and shared creativity. With the autumn chill beginning to herald winter, the 4th Bobbin and Multi-Layer Lacemaking Meeting will bring together bobbin lace enthusiasts, curious seamstresses, and visitors seeking more than just tourism: they seek tradition transformed into art.
From 10 a.m. to 14 p.m., the Felipe Miñambres Sports Center will host this essential event that combines traditional knowledge with contemporary offerings. A space to observe, learn, teach, and, above all, enjoy the value of handmade work.
A network of hands that never stops
Bobbin lacemaking isn't just technique: it's rhythm, hearing, patience, and shared memory. In every woven lace, in every torch that peeks out between pins, there is something of those who came before us. And this gathering in Astorga, now in its fourth year, offers a glimpse of that active memory that continues to grow.
In a relaxed and family-friendly atmosphere, local and regional artisans will gather, their well-prepared looms and threads—cotton, linen, or even silk—stretched over the lacework. It will also showcase a variety of textiles that intertwine with lace: embroidery, patchwork, crochet, trimmings... because all needlework takes place on this collective loom.
Inspiring workshops: bobbin lace and creative sewing
The event will not only be about viewing, but also about learning hands-on. This year, two workshops will be open to the public (registration required):
Creative Sewing, an invitation to break patterns and reinvent scraps.
Bobbin lace with Marisa Hermida, an expert guide for those who want to start or perfect their technique with traditional wooden frames and bobbins.
Both training spaces will provide the practical and personal touch that defines the event: sharing knowledge across generations with respect and enthusiasm.
Registration: Dolores 669 168 051 / Pili 669 041 009.
Astorga: stone architecture, sweets and textiles
Visiting Astorga in autumn is an added bonus. The Maragata city lends itself to a stroll among the threads: just leave the sports center and walk to the Plaza Mayor, with its automatic clock, or be dazzled by the Episcopal Palace designed by Gaudí, as sculptural as a Gothic lacework in stone.
A sweet stop is a must: mantecadas, puff pastries, and artisanal chocolate are hallmarks. A good plan is to visit the Chocolate Museum, where the history of cacao is intertwined with that of the women who, like lace-making, also wove community from the factories.
If the weather is good, climbing to the Synagogue Park viewing platform offers a panoramic view of the urban landscape, ideal for a quiet break before getting back to the action.
Today's agenda: between pins and hugs
When: November 29 Saturday of 2025
Opening hours: 10 14 from a h
Where: Felipe Miñambres Sports Center, Astorga
Activities:
Free meeting of lace makers and multi-taskers
Creative Sewing Workshop
Bobbin Lace Workshop with Marisa Hermida
Exhibition of works
The event, organized with support from the Astorga City Council and other organizations, is part of a clear commitment to highlighting artisanal work as a part of cultural and social life.
An invitation to forge ties
Bobbin lace isn't just a technique: it's a way of being in the world. Participating in these kinds of gatherings—whether as a craftswoman or a visitor—is coming into contact with a knowledge that is passed from hand to hand, thread to thread.
Astorga awaits you with its Maragata hospitality, its streets steeped in history, and a sports center that, for a few hours, will transform into a giant stage. Don't miss out: the thread of tradition continues to be woven throughout.
