Parents and carers are invited to join artist Aya Haidar in this free, two hour drop-in session to Make Beaut and Mend sentimental textiles from either their child’s or their own childhoods. Do bring an item (or more than one!) that needs mending and embellishing, with guidance and support from Aya.

Through stitch and embroidery, this workshop puts into light the importance of upcycling and sustainability in an ever more disposable society, all the while drawing on threads of personal significance and stories attached to these sentimental items.

• Places are limited, please only book a space if you are fully committed to attending.
• The workshop takes places in the Learning Centre at Leighton House.
• Entry to the museum is not included; please book an admission ticket to visit

Price: free

About Kheit

Nour Hage: Kheit خيط(28 April – 16 July 2023) is an exhibition and event series in collaboration with Leighton House, the 19th century home of artist Lord Frederic Leighton. Meaning ‘thread’ in Arabic, Kheit presents three artworks created in response to the tiles in the Arab Hall and staircase hall. An award-wining textile artist, Nour has also researched the museum’s collection of antique textiles, featuring Syrian clothing, Ottoman hangings and runners, and Iranian carpets. During Leighton’s lifetime textiles, in particular from the Middle East and North Africa, were a prominent decorative feature in his house,  and over the last two years the museum has acquired and displayed significant pieces to recreate the original  interiors.

Kheit is a collaboration between The Arab British Centre and Leighton House, as part of our Arab Britain programming theme that sets out to explore and document the history, achievements and experiences of Arabs in Britain. Funded by The Barakat Trust’s Hands on Islamic Art grant, made possible by the National Heritage Lottery Fund.