Saturday Fibre Workshops - West
Saturday, October 3, 2026
Water Street Church, 287 Water St, Guelph ON N1G 1B6
A day of fibre arts to inspire your creativity. Join the West Fibre Workshops for sessions on weaving, spinning, and felting workshops.
Registration opens in May
- OHS Members: $100
- Non-OHS Members: $120
- Materials fees are paid directly to the workshop instructor.
Full Day Workshops
- Exploring Blends in Spinning - Beth Showalter
- The Colours of an Autumn Landscape in Wool - Megan Cleland
- Krokbragd Weaving - Cheryl Sheridan
Half-Day Workshop - Morning
- Finger Manipulated Weaves including Transparency - Sharon Gardener
- Introduction to Fibre Reactive Dyes - Elizabeth Bryan
Half-Day Workshop - Afternoon
- Kumihimo with Mary-Anne
- Natural Dyeing Workshop - Elizabeth Bryan
Questions? Send a note to info@ohs.on.ca
Workshop Descriptions
Exploring Blends in Spinning
Beth Showalter - Full Day
Is your stash full of lots of fibre that you don’t know what to do with? In this workshop you will learn how to choose fibres based on their characteristics to build blends. Then you will see how changing the proportions of each fibre can affect the finished yarns. You are encouraged to bring a variety of fibres from your stash to create even more yarn possibilities. Come and explore your ‘what would happen if I add and/or change this fibre’ in my blend and see what does happen.
Skill Level: Must be able to comfortably spin 2 ply yarns.
Beth Showalter completed the Ontario Handweavers and Spinners Spinning Certificate Program in 2014 with distinction and is now an instructor in the program. She is a curious spinner who enjoys experimenting, sharing ideas, learning new techniques and following spinning tangents…
Equipment List:
- Wheel in good, working order with repair kit
- 3 empty bobbins + Lazy Kate
- Hand Carders
- A variety of different fibres from your stash for blending
- Optional: Digital Scale for measuring small amounts
- Optional: Spindle, Hand Combs, Flick Carder
- Baggies, labels, markers, etc
Participant Material Fee: $40.00/person payable to instructor at workshop
The Colours of an Autumn Landscape in Wool
Megan Cleland - Full Day
Explore the Art of Needlefelting with a Seasonal Theme
Join us for a creative needlefelting class focused on creating an autumn landscape. Participants will use vibrant wool fibres to felt scenes inspired by the fall season, including colourful foliage, rolling hills, or and cozy woodland features. Guided by an experienced instructor, you'll learn essential needlefelting techniques and tips for blending shades to capture the beautiful hues of autumn. Whether you're new to needlefelting or expanding your skills, this class offers a welcoming and inspiring environment to create your own masterpiece. All materials provided.
Suitable for all skill levels.
Megan Cleland: With a passion for creativity and tactile expression, I am an artist specializing in 2D needlefelting. Drawing inspiration from the natural beauty of landscapes and portraits, and the vibrant textures of everyday life, my work transforms wool into intricate art. My journey with needlefelting began as a creative exploration, quickly evolving into a dedicated practice where traditional techniques and contemporary design meet. Through careful layering, I bring each piece to life—whether it’s a charming animal, a playful scene, or an abstract composition.
Materials to Bring: All materials are provided by the instructor. The participants only need to bring a photo of the landscape they wish to create and their enthusiasm.
Participant Material Fee: $20.00/person payable to instructor at workshop.
Krokbragd Weaving
Cheryl Sheridan - Full Day
Learn how to produce the bold and colourful patterns of 3-shaft Krokbragd, Norwegian for “crooked paths”. The simple 3-step weaving sequence coupled with splashes of colour forms the magical patterns of this weft-faced weaving structure. Learn how to weave these pathways and become familiar with designing on the fly to create a beautiful rug, table runner or hot pads.
Cheryl Sheridan is a fibre enthusiast whose work explores traditional weave structure and contemporary textile expression. She offers independent workshops in weaving, fibre dyeing and sock knitting, and teaches yearly at the renowned John C. Campbell Folk School. She has spoken at a previous OHS conference, local museums and historical societies and is a member of the Blue Mtn Foundation for the Arts.
Cheryl is especially drawn to the rich geometric lines of Krokbragd and delights in sharing its possibilities with modern makers.
Participant Materials and Equipment
- A 4-shaft loom (table loom or small, transportable floor loom)
- An 8/4 cotton warp, pre-dressed on the loom (dressing instructions will be provided in advance)
Participant Materials Fee: $5.00 payable to the instructor.
- Weft materials will be supplied in class. Instruction book/handout provided at no cost.
Finger Manipulated Weaves Including Transparency
Sharon Gardiner - Half-day
This half-day workshop is a hands on workshop requiring a 4 shaft loom prepared prior to the workshop. The time will be split between:
- Overview of OHS Weaving Certificate Unit 3 Finger Manipulated Lace Weaves - objectives, assignments and expectations
- Demonstration of finger manipulated weaves: Leno, Mexican Lace, Spanish Lace, Brooks Bouquet and Danish Medallion followed by time to try some these techniques on your loom (the number will depend on the time available)
- Demonstration of transparency weaving techniques
There will not be time to complete samples as outlined in the Unit Notes. A selection of books and items using these techniques will be available to view.
Sharon Gardiner got hooked on weaving after taking a week-long beginner course. Now, more than 35 years later, weaving is still an obsession. As a lifelong learner, Sharon completed the Ontario Handweavers and Spinners Weaving Certificate program in 2025. Her primary weaving interest varies but a consistent aspect is taking the weaving a step beyond the weaving by constructing items, applying surface design or embellishment or whatever seems to intrigue her at the time.
Sharon is currently Secretary for Complex Weavers and has volunteered in various positions with local guilds, Ontario Handweavers and Spinners, and the Guild of Canadian Weavers.
Pre-workshop Preparation and Materials to Bring
Bring the OHS Weaving Certificate Unit 3 Notes and OHS Weaving Certificate Guidelines and Instructions for students. These materials can be purchased on the OHS website. The unit notes should be reviewed before the session.
A dressed loom is required. Instructions will be sent to you in advance of the workshop.
Participant Material Fee: $0
Introduction to Fibre Reactive Dyes
Elizabeth Bryan - Half-Day - Morning
This half-day workshop introduces participants to the fundamentals of fibre reactive dyes, combining lecture-based learning with practical, hands-on experience. The course covers basic dye chemistry, safe dye handling, and step-by-step sample creation using 3 to 5 different colours.
Elizabeth Bryan started weaving joyful fabric in 1989. She enjoys exploring several textile mediums and currently mixes as many techniques together as possible. She aims to engage her viewers in a dialogue about the world we inhabit while trying to make sense of constant change. Elizabeth also enjoys dyeing her own yarns and fabrics especially during the colder months. She has exhibited with Burlington Handweavers and Spinners, Headwaters Arts, Arts on the Credit, Tapestry Line Collective and Handweavers Guild of America. Her education includes a BA, a diploma in Interior Design, and a certificate in Fiber Art from Fleming College where she is now delighted to be an instructor in the Fiber Arts program. She is currently the President of Complex Weavers, who push the boundaries of handweaving.
Participant Materials and Equipment
- Participants are encouraged to wear old clothing or bring an apron. Dye will not come out of your clothing!
- Wear closed toe shoes
- Please bring old towels and any old newspapers that you can spare.
- Participants are encouraged to bring 4 to 5 pre-wound skeins or warps to dye!
Participant Materials Fee: $10.00 payable to the instructor.
All safety equipment will be provided, and the workspace will be set up to accommodate hands-on learning.
Natural Dyeing Workshop
Elizabeth Bryan - Half-Day - Afternoon
This workshop guides you through the art and science of dyeing fibre with natural dyes. Participants will gain an understanding of safety, mordanting and practical techniques. Dye techniques include immersion, tie-dye and resists. The workshop blends lecture-style learning with hands-on activities, ensuring you leave with both knowledge and dyed samples.
Elizabeth Bryan started weaving joyful fabric in 1989. She enjoys exploring several textile mediums and currently mixes as many techniques together as possible. She aims to engage her viewers in a dialogue about the world we inhabit while trying to make sense of constant change. Elizabeth also enjoys dyeing her own yarns and fabrics especially during the colder months. She has exhibited with Burlington Handweavers and Spinners, Headwaters Arts, Arts on the Credit, Tapestry Line Collective and Handweavers Guild of America. Her education includes a BA, a diploma in Interior Design, and a certificate in Fiber Art from Fleming College where she is now delighted to be an instructor in the Fiber Arts program. She is currently the President of Complex Weavers, who push the boundaries of handweaving.
Participant Materials and Equipment
- Participants are encouraged to wear old clothing or bring an apron. Dye will not come out of your clothing!
- Wear closed toe shoes
- Participants are encouraged to bring 3 to 4 of their own skeined yarn to use in the dye bath.
Participant Materials Fee: $10.00 payable to the instructor.
The instructor will provide
- Pre-mordanted cotton cloth or wool yarn
- Natural dye ingredients
- Gloves, aprons, and dyeing containers
- Instructions and resource list for at-home projects
