Dear Guild Members and Friends,

Welcome to August, where summer begins to soften, grasses grow tall, and the light turns honey-warm. This is the season of earthy abundance, and the beginning of harvest for many weaving materials — starting with soft and pliable ones like reeds and grasses.

Take some time to slow down, gather what’s around you, and enjoy the process of creating a project (or two) with your hands.

Feeling called to get more involved?

We’re always welcoming new volunteers, and there are a number of committees and opportunities to suit your interests and availability. Know that your presence matters and we’d truly love to have you with us.

Simply reply to this message, and we’ll help you find your place.

Calling All Teachers

Weaving Connections 2026 planning is well underway, and applications for teachers will be available soon!

We’re already looking forward to our favorite weekend of the year — a time to connect with our weaving community, learn new skills and techniques, and create even more lasting memories together.

If you’d like to be notified when teacher applications go live, please email us at [email protected].

Edmonton

• September 27 Cattail Wrapped Vase - Open Weave
  @Bonnie Doon Community Hall
  More Info

• October 25 - Open Weave
  @Bonnie Doon Community Hall
  Save the Date!

Tofield

• Sept 12-14 Baskets in the Garden
  More Info

Kananaskis

• August 3-5th Hike + Harvest Wild Basket Making
  More Info

Pigeon Lake

• August 15-17th Remembering the Village
  
  • Weavers Tent and Casket Weaving
    More Info

Peanut Lake

• Sept 12-14 Grassroots Women's Gathering
  
  • Willow Vessel
    More Info
    Discount Code: GATHERWITHUS

Field Notes

Cattails are a wonderful and abundant natural material for weaving. Their soft, leathery tips and spongy bases invite creativity to flow in many directions — from baskets to lanterns to sculptural forms.

The best time to harvest cattails is in August, just as the tips begin to turn brown. You can continue to harvest until Winter, however the best quality is early in the season.

Here are a few more harvesting tips from Guild member Freyja Ulveland, to help you gather thoughtfully and weave with care.

• Choose plants with only leaves (no seed head).
• Cut the plant at the base.
• Split leaves apart, lay them out to dry, tossing occasionally. When they begin to crisp at the tips, loosely bundle and finish drying in a sheltered, airy space.
• Once fully dry, bundle tightly and store in a dry place until ready to use.

Call for Submissions

In our September newsletter and on social media, we’ll be featuring:

Bulrush Projects – Send us a photo of your projects made using bulrush through our submission form. We’ll feature it in the next newsletter.

Submit Here

Join Us, We'd Love to Have You

Are you thinking about becoming a member of the Alberta Basketry Guild?

Here’s what you can look forward to:

• Resources and inspiration to support you on your weaving journey
• Access to our private Slack space - connect with fellow members, ask questions, share ideas, and stay in touch between events
• Discounts for Open Weaves
• Priority registration for Weaving Connections
• Spotlight Features - members are invited to apply to be featured in our newsletter and on our social media, so we can all get to know the talented individuals behind the classes, studios, and businesses that keep basketry alive and thriving in Alberta
• A warm, supportive community of like-minded weavers who cherish the rhythm and connection of working with natural materials

Become a Member Here

Thank you for being part of this community of makers, learners, and gatherers.
We’re always glad to be weaving alongside you.

Warmly,
The Alberta Basketry Guild