2026 Guild workshop progamme
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.
No workshop this month.
Saturday, February 21, 2026
No workshop this month.
Saturday, March 21, 2026
Louise Warner-MacDougall - Rib basket with wooden handle (all skill levels)
Saturday, April 18, 2026
Martina Obersat - Diagonally-plaited basket using vinyl measuring tapes (all skill levels)
Learn to weave a diagonal plaited basket using vinyl measuring tapes. The Japanese rim uses waxed cotton to secure the shape. The basket is the perfect size for sewing or quilting notions. Perfect gift!
Saturday, May 16, 2026
Nancy Hager - Wicker catshead basket (all skill levels)
Saturday, June 20, 2026
Louise Warner-MacDougall - Hanging basket - wicker and caning (all skill levels)
Saturday, July 18, 2026
Karen Kotecki - Choice of one of the round reed baskets below
Encircled (Advanced)
Circles are the theme of this spherical reed basket, a shaping challenge for even advanced weavers. Start on a circular oak base with narrow slot – no twining in spokes. The weave is a continuous over one/under one, incorporating 3 rows of skip stitching that circle the basket. Focused attention to shaping is needed throughout the side weaving to create the elegant spherical shape that starts flat, progresses to the rounded sides, and then turns inward at the top. The non-traditional rim starts with a circles of twined arrows to secure the weaving and the spokes. Create the rim row by looping the spokes around a circle of free-floating flat-oval reed to secure. Then circle the rim with a row of double looped braiding that rests against the top weaving of the basket. Elegant and dynamic. Ready for the challenge?
Circles are the theme of this spherical reed basket, a shaping challenge for even advanced weavers. Start on a circular oak base with narrow slot – no twining in spokes. The weave is a continuous over one/under one, incorporating 3 rows of skip stitching that circle the basket. Focused attention to shaping is needed throughout the side weaving to create the elegant spherical shape that starts flat, progresses to the rounded sides, and then turns inward at the top. The non-traditional rim starts with a circles of twined arrows to secure the weaving and the spokes. Create the rim row by looping the spokes around a circle of free-floating flat-oval reed to secure. Then circle the rim with a row of double looped braiding that rests against the top weaving of the basket. Elegant and dynamic. Ready for the challenge?
Dimensions: Circumference – 33" at widest, top diameter 7", height 7"
Double Down (All skill levels)
This reed basket is all about the rim, with a great middle section of cane and wood on the way up. Insert reed spokes into a round oak base with narrow slot – no twining. Gently turn up the sides with stop/start woven rows. Concentrate on shaping to get a nicely rounded bottom section. In the centre, bleached cane, which weaves like leather when wet, separates a row each of black walnut, cherry, and maple wood. A few more reed rows finish the sides. Now to the Double Down border using more bleached cane as a lasher. A traditional twined down border captures one spoke at a time. The Double Down border technique captures two spokes at a time – much more interesting. Notice that the outside lashing is diagonal, the inside is straight up and down. A strip of cherry wood overlays the inside rim to show off the cane lashing, adding just that unexpected bit of visual interest.
This reed basket is all about the rim, with a great middle section of cane and wood on the way up. Insert reed spokes into a round oak base with narrow slot – no twining. Gently turn up the sides with stop/start woven rows. Concentrate on shaping to get a nicely rounded bottom section. In the centre, bleached cane, which weaves like leather when wet, separates a row each of black walnut, cherry, and maple wood. A few more reed rows finish the sides. Now to the Double Down border using more bleached cane as a lasher. A traditional twined down border captures one spoke at a time. The Double Down border technique captures two spokes at a time – much more interesting. Notice that the outside lashing is diagonal, the inside is straight up and down. A strip of cherry wood overlays the inside rim to show off the cane lashing, adding just that unexpected bit of visual interest.
Dimensions: 4.25" tall, 6.75" diameter
Sunday, July 19, 2026
Karen Kotecki - Choice of one of the round reed baskets below
***Please note: this workshop will be held in Windsor, Ontario, not Chatham.***
French Braid (Intermediate)
French Braid is full of techniques, especially the two-rim finish. To start, insert dyed round reed spokes in the slot of a round wood base and secure with stepped-up twining. Then, with natural flat oval, weave the entire bowl section using the French randing technique. This presents both a different weaving experience and a different shaping experience from the standard upright weaving techniques. The resulting bowl design is a lovely upsweep pattern with peeks of colour from the dyed spokes. Now to those rims. Both the spokes and the weavers contribute to the rim finish. First, finish the French-randed weavers with a dynamic three-step braid that circles and rests on the outside of the basket. The weave also puts a simple single braid pattern on the inside for additional visual interest. Finally, finish the dyed spokes with a two-step braid that crowns your bowl with a lovely ring of colour.
Dimensions: 7.5" diameter, 4" tall.
Azalea (Intermediate)
Azalea is pretty in pink and natural, or a colour you would tell me in advance, if you prefer. It starts with spokes inserted into a round oak base with narrow slot – no twining. Weave the base and turn up the sides with a simple two/two twill, chosen to incorporate the dyed spokes as part of the pattern. Keeping the base weaving gently-rounded as you turn up the sides is the shaping challenge. A row of twined arrows seats the side weave at the top and forms the base row for the two independent stacked sides to come. Frame the stacking with a second row of twined arrows. Finally, complete Azalea with a three-step braid rim finish. So lovely.
Dimensions: 7" tall, 7" diameter.
Saturday, August 15, 2026
Lakeshore Willows (Johnny Suderman) - Stake & strand willow basket with willow bark (all skill levels)
Saturday, September 19, 2026
Martina Obersat - Rainbow melon basket with fancy handle (beginner)
***Please note this workshop will be held on the fourth Saturday of the month.***
If you have never woven a rib basket before, this is the workshop for you! Learn all the basics: securing the hoops using four-point lashing, placing ribs and creating the round shape. If time allows, cover the oak handle with a fancy weave using caning.
Saturday, November 21, 2026
Workshop & Annual General Meeting (AGM)
The guild will also host its Annual General Meeting
and potluck
lunch around midday. Old and new business will be discussed to get us ready for next year.
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