XVIII Soria Lace Makers Meeting 2026: bobbin lace in the Plaza Mayor

A morning in the heart of Soria

The chosen setting couldn't be more evocative. The arcades and facades of the Plaza Mayor will accompany the sound of the bobbins as the participants work on their designs. On a single table, you might find a delicate lace, a demonstration of a learning process, or a larger piece requiring dozens of pairs of bobbins. Each bobbin has its own rhythm, and when viewed together, one understands the richness of a craft that embraces many styles.

The Leonor Lacemakers Cultural Association of Soria is organizing the event in collaboration with the Soria City Council, the Provincial Council, and Caja Rural de Soria. The information telephone number listed in the announcement is 679 808 935. Those wishing to participate should confirm the attendance requirements and the table arrangements beforehand, as these details may change closer to the date.

The exhibition begins on Saturday

The celebration will have a very special prologue. Saturday September 26 An exhibition of needlework will be open to the public in the Town Hall, from 11:00 to 13:30 and from 17:00 to 20:00. It will also be open on Sunday morning, from 10:00 to 13:00. This is a wonderful opportunity to admire the finished pieces at your leisure and discover how the result changes depending on the yarn, the background, and the stitch combinations.

In an exhibition like this, it's worth paying attention to the edges. Some pieces finish with delicate waves, others with points, small flowers, or a line of braids. The background can be compact or very open, and this choice modifies the transparency and visual weight of the piece. It's also worthwhile to look for the connections between motifs: sometimes they disappear at first glance and are only revealed upon closer inspection, when the drawing shows the bridges that hold the composition together.

An invitation to take a closer look

Lacemaking workshops are a hands-on class without a blackboard. Hands demonstrate how to separate the pairs, how to place a pin, or how to restore order after a pause. Those who approach can ask questions and learn words that are part of the craft's vocabulary: pricking, turn, cross, half stitch, spider, or background. Learning isn't limited to copying a movement; it also involves understanding why each thread occupies that specific place.

This year's edition will also feature designer Johannes Senior, according to information released by Soria Noticias. His participation adds a contemporary perspective to a morning dedicated to traditional crafts and may enliven the conversation about the possibilities of lace in contemporary design. At these gatherings, an antique piece and a new design can share the table without competing: both speak of the same precision, even if they use different languages.

Soria as an autumn destination

For those visiting from out of town, the event offers a perfect excuse to spend the weekend in Soria. The Plaza Mayor allows you to easily combine your visit with a stroll through the historic center, a stop at one of its shops, and a leisurely walk through the city. On Saturday, the exhibition helps set the mood; on Sunday, the live demonstrations showcase the most dynamic aspect of the process.

It's best to arrive early, wear comfortable shoes, and respect the space at each table. A close-up photograph can wait until the lacemaker finishes a movement and gives permission; often, a thoughtful question sparks a much more interesting conversation than a quick snapshot. The goal is to enjoy the encounter and cultivate the atmosphere of concentration that makes working with such fine threads possible.

The 18th Soria Lace Makers' Meeting arrives with the strength of a tradition now in its eighteenth year. Amidst the golden stone of the plaza, the pieces displayed in the Town Hall, and the murmur of conversations, bobbin lace will once again demonstrate that it is also a way to come together. If you'd like to see it up close, save the last Sunday of September and let the sound of the pairs of bobbins guide you to the Plaza Mayor.

Sources: Soria Tourism Agenda y Soria News.