Thunder Bay Weavers and Spinners Guild
Thunder Bay Spinners and Weavers Guild
The Thunder Bay Weavers and Spinners Guild is a not for profit organization. We welcome anyone interested in sharing or learning the art of weaving or spinning. The Thunder Bay Weavers and Spinners Guild now have a Facebook page.
Meetings are held from September to June once a month on the 4th Monday evening from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. at Jumbo Gardens Community Centre on Toivo Street. We have a pot-luck event for the December and June meetings, but lately we have been going to a local restaurant in December instead of having a pot-luck.
The weavers and spinners of this community have been active for half a century. The guild takes part in events that educate and amuse the public. We feature displays and demonstrate weaving/spinning at the Olde Fort William Historic Park, the CLE, Murillo and Hymers Fall Fairs. Here, in Thunder Bay, the weaving/spinning community is small so we like to keep in touch with other guilds. Throughout the year we offer courses in spinning, weaving and dyeing yarn with natural materials. During the winter months, the guild room is open one weekday to allow members to weave on the big floor looms, research in the library or exchange ideas and discuss new projects.
Colleen Laughton, President of Thunder Bay Weavers and Spinners Guild
Mailing address:
Thunder Bay Weavers and Spinners Guild
c/o Aletha MacRae
- R. # 14 Site 13,
Box 60
Thunder Bay, Ontario P7B 5E5
Email: tbwsguild@gmail.com
History
In 1960, six weavers got together to help each other unravel the mysteries of broken twill, e.p.i., and tromp as writ.
In 1980, the Thunder Bay Weavers and Spinners Guild (as we know it today) was formed by the amalgamation of the Fibre Arts and Spinners groups.
In 1982, our Guild welcomed a group of weavers from New Zealand who were touring Canada before attending the Handweavers Guild of America conference “Convergence” in Seattle, Washington.
In 1983, our Guild hosted the biennial Ontario Handweavers & Spinners conference.
In 1990, due to the aging demographics, our membership dropped to 15 members.
In 2000, for our Millennium Project, our Guild made reproductions of clothing worn in the late nineteenth century. We produced Sunday best clothes for a young family, a dress and cloak for a teacher and a silk bridal gown, all now on display at the Pioneer Village on Highway 130, in Neebing Township.
In 2003, this small group of members did an excellent job of hosting the Ontario Handweavers & Spinners Conference, bringing together guilds from all over Ontario to share and exchange ideas.
In 2006, our Guild exchanged knowledge with visitors from Kyrgyzstan. We demonstrated the elements of spinning on a spinning wheel, and they demonstrated traditional felting to our guild members.
In 2010, our Guild participated for the third time, in the Back to Back Challenge. Our Guild members finished their sweater in 14 hours, 25 minutes and 28 seconds.
In 2011, our Guild created a new Constitution and By-laws.
In 2012, we continue to grow in number as we now have thirty enthusiastic members with Pat Eisenbach being the longest standing member.
Clockwise from left: Miriam Hearn, Pat Eisenbach, Aletha MacRae, Marg Duncan, Colleen Tardif, Annette Fenlon, Sylvia Goodheart, Helen Huk, Tina Huk, Sue Ellen Blekkenhorst, Denise Brown. Photographer, Colleen Laughton.