Southwestern Ontario Basketry Guild

It is that time of year...time to join (or renew) your membership to the Southwestern Ontario Basketry Guild! The planning of the 2026 program is well underway (see schedule here:  2026 workshops ). The Guild runs one workshop per month starting in March and ending in November. The membership fee is $50 per person. All workshops are held in a studio space at the Chatham Cultural Centre in Chatham, Ontario. Most workshops start at 9:00 and run into the afternoon. We often have guild meetings at noon. Please bring your own lunch.    Please contact the the Southwestern Ontario Basketry Guild's membership co-ordinator at swobg.info@gmail.com for more information.

  The Southwestern Ontario Basketry Guild is is organizing another year of basketry workshops. Please find below the workshop dates for 2026. We have a great lineup of instructors this year that will teach students of all skill levels new materials, processes and techniques. The blog will be updated as teachers, descriptions and photos become available. The workshops are help every third Saturday of the year (except where noted) at the Chatham Cultural Centre. All workshops require pre-registration and pre-payment. If you are interested in attending, please e-mail the Guild at our new address:  swobg.info@gmail.com .  Saturday, January 17, 2026 No workshop this month. Saturday, February 21, 2026 No workshop this month. Saturday,  March 21, 2026   TBD  - TDB (all skill levels)   Saturday,  April 18, 2026 Martina Obersat  - Rainbow melon basket with fancy handle (beginner)     Saturday,  May 16, 2026   ...

It's the last workshop of 2025! The programming this year reflected our continued work of teaching basketry techniques, introduction to new basketry materials and good fellowship. Guild member Martha Sands taught the extremely sweet Santa Belly Basket--perfect for holiday gift giving. The basket has a solid wooden base, upset stakes and a lashed rim. After the weaving and potluck lunch, the guild had its AGM. New executive was elected, old and new business was discussed and we are looking forward to the activities of 2026.  Happy Holidays everyone and see you all next year!       

Expert basketmaker and Guild member Louise Warner-MacDougall taught students how to weave this very cute stocking basket--just in time for the holiday season. Everyone brought a completed (or near completed) basket home.  

Guild member Martina Obersat taught a Japanese scoop. Students learned to weave a 3/3 twill and to control the unusual shape.           

Long-time guild members Edy Marlatt and Martha Sands taught the art of dyeing basketry materials with RIT dyes and using those colours to create appealing patterns. Several dyeing techniques were discussed and all students had a chance to experiment with different methods. Students created 8" x 8" hot plates to take home.   

Guild member Nathalie Roy taught students how to weave a classic market basket--layout the base, weave the sides, lash the rim and cover the handle. Most completed the project and brought home a handy and beautiful basket!