About KWWS

Our History

The Guild was established in 1948 by a small group of friends who enjoyed the textile arts. Originally named the Kitchener-Waterloo Hand-Weavers, the group’s mandate was to continue the textile tradition in Waterloo Region, and assist others in obtaining knowledge about their craft. The twelve friends met in one another’s homes and shared looms.

Renamed the Kitchener-Waterloo Weavers’ & Spinners’ Guild in 1980, KWWS was incorporated as a non-profit organization in April 1994. While growing in members, the Guild has not lost sight of the original goal — to preserve the textile tradition and share knowledge with others.   We are a member of the Ontario Handweavers and Spinners (OHS) and a member of The Guild of Canadian Weavers.

We offer classes, workshops, and other learning opportunities to our members and the wider community.  We hold a semi-annual Show & Sale and demonstrate weaving and spinning at other events in the region. At our monthly meetings, we include guest speakers, demonstrations, and activities. We encourage anyone with an interest in weaving a spinning to investigate our Guild. 

We have one of the largest and most well equipped fibre arts studios in Ontario with a separate classroom so classes and workshops can proceed while we enjoy the rest of the studio.

Our Mandate

• To improve the skill and artistry of the crafts of weaving and spinning.

• To increase the interest in and knowledge of weaving and spinning.

• To promote, pursue, and maintain weaving, spinning, and related textile arts within the Kitchener-Waterloo area