11 am
Guided Tour: Textile Highlights from the MAK Collection
Immerse yourself in the rich diversity of textile art at the MAK. This guided tour offers insights into the newly presented Textiles and Carpets permanent collection, one of the most important and extensive collections of its kind worldwide. A particular highlight of the MAK PERMANENT COLLECTION: TEXTILES AND CARPETS is its remarkable collection of bobbin lace and needle lace, much of which originates from the private collection of Bertha Pappenheim. Spanning from late antiquity to the present day, and from Europe to East Asia, the exhibition brings together extraordinary objects that vividly showcase the diversity, technical sophistication, and aesthetic power of textile traditions.
Additional information: The tour is free of charge. Present your VHS course receipt at the MAK ticket desk to receive reduced admission. Please show your VHS booking confirmation.
Registration: vhs.at

1–3 pm
Workshop: What Is Bobbin Lace and How Is It Made?
Live demonstration with hands-on participation, including a guided tour through the textile highlights of the MAK Collection
Following a guided tour through the textile highlights of the MAK collections, Dr. Michaela Kusrini will introduce the history and basic techniques of bobbin lace making and demonstrate the process. Participants are invited to try the technique themselves on a sample piece. Bobbin lace is a centuries-old technique for the handmade production of fine lace, practiced throughout Europe. Although it lost its commercial importance with the rise of machine-made lace, it is now experiencing a worldwide revival as a creative craft and hobby.
Fee: € 19, admission free
Registration: vhs.at

3–5 pm
Workshop: What Is Needle Lace and How Is It Sewn or Embroidered?
Live demonstration with hands-on participation, including a guided tour through the textile highlights of the MAK Collection
After a guided tour through the textile highlights of the MAK collections, Andrea Piswanger will explain and demonstrate the structure and stitching techniques of needle lace. Participants will have the opportunity to try the technique themselves on a sample piece. Needle lace originated in Venice in the early 16th century as a decorative embellishment for garment edges. Known as the “queen of lace,” it is created from a framework of threads filled and embellished with delicate lace stitches, making it an especially time-intensive craft. From Venice, the technique spread to France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Central Europe.
Additional information: Present your VHS course receipt at the MAK ticket desk to receive free admission.
The instructor will prepare a small sewing sample for each participant, including needle and thread; a €5 material fee is payable directly to the instructor on site.
Fee: €19, admission free
Registration: vhs.at

4 pm
Guided Tour: Textile Highlights from the MAK Collection
Immerse yourself in the rich diversity of textile art at the MAK. This guided tour offers insights into the newly presented Textiles and Carpets permanent collection, one of the most important and extensive collections of its kind worldwide. A particular highlight of the MAK PERMANENT COLLECTION: TEXTILES AND CARPETS is its remarkable collection of bobbin lace and needle lace, much of which originates from the private collection of Bertha Pappenheim. Spanning from late antiquity to the present day, and from Europe to East Asia, the exhibition brings together extraordinary objects that vividly showcase the diversity, technical sophistication, and aesthetic power of textile traditions.
Additional information: The tour is free of charge. Present your VHS course receipt at the MAK ticket desk to receive reduced admission. Please show your VHS booking confirmation.
Registration: vhs.at

The textile arts festival FADENSTÄRKE will take place on June 12, 2026, from 9 AM–9 PM in cooperation with the MAK – Museum of Applied Arts. Throughout the day, textile art workshops will be offered at VHS locations across Vienna as well as at the MAK – Museum of Applied Arts (Stubenring 5, 1010 Vienna).