Southwestern Ontario Basketry Guild

November workshop with Debbie Bigham Debbie Bigham taught the Southwestern Ontario Basketry Guild how to hand cane a stool. We wove a traditional seating pattern by repeatedly weaving layer upon layer to create a strong seat for the stool. Most of us completed our stools to take home.  

WeaveON 2020 Basketry Retreat September 18-20,  2020 Retreat cancelled Sponsored by Southwestern Ontario Basketry Guild For more information, visit the website Weaveon2020.com .

October workshop with Nancy Hager Guild member Nancy Hager designed the tapestry basket woven on a mold. This is a creative project, so every weaver, after completing the base, could use a variety of colours, textures and materials to personalize the basket. Nancy brought in a variety of natural materials (many from Essex County, Ontario) and threads, yarns and waxed linens. Every student took home a unique basket.

September workshops with Michigan basketmaker Gina Kieft The Southwestern Ontario Basketry Guild hosted Michigan basketmaker Gina Kieft, from ginasbaskets.com, for two days of weaving. Both days Gina taught three different baskets (from beginner to advanced) to students with different basket skill levels. It was impressive to watch! On Friday , the workshops were held in the garage of Guild member Nancy--almost weaving outdoors on a very warm (almost) fall day. The beginner level was a large reed basket woven on a slotted base with a sturdy rim and handles. Other students wove black ash to create a flat patterned piece to be framed in Gina's spalted handmade frames. We all completed our basket projects .  On  Saturday , the workshops taught by Gina Kieft were at the Chatham Cultural Centre. Gina taught three different baskets at three different skill levels. All of us gained in our knowledge and skills with this workshop. 

August workshop with Amy Jorgensen  Guild member Amy Jorgensen created a sturdy, practical basket with interior dividers. This flat reed basket was fun to learn.

July workshop with Martha Sands  Guild member Martha Sands invited the guild to her house and taught us the techniques of the own pattern -- Garden Naturals Basket. Martha collected all the materials from her garden (or close to it); materials included sedges, day lilies, rushes, cattails and barks (elm, birch, willow). The day was a wonderful experience and thanks Martha for your hospitality.   

June workshop with Amy Jorgensen Guild member Amy Jorgensen organized a workshop to weave Marilyn Parr's basket kits featuring leather handles and wooden bases. Many beautiful basket were completed.

May workshop with Joyce Tomlinson Joyce Tomlinson taught the Southwestern Ontario Basketry Guild the techniques to weave around a mold. The glass vase is woven with reed, cane and waxed cotton cord. The tapestry pattern is created using colour and cord texture. The matchstick rim finishes the vase beautifully.