Welcome
to South Africa’s Oldest Guild
We’re a community dedicated to the fibre arts, and the process of transforming raw materials into beautiful, functional things.
We believe that crafted, handmade items give enduring satisfaction to those who make them and those who use them.
Learning
Inspiration
Community
75th Anniversary Exhibition
In 2025 the Cape Guild of Weavers will be turning 75. As not only the oldest guild in South Africa, but one of the most vibrant, we will be holding an exhibition to commemorate and celebrate the occasion.
25 April - 4 May 2025
75TH ANNIVERSARY EXHIBITION | KIRSTENBOSCH
The Cape Guild of Weavers is proud to be one of the longest-standing guilds in South Africa.
We cherish our responsibility of holding custodianship for textile skills like weaving, knitting, felting, spinning, dyeing and many more.
The 75th-anniversary event will celebrate this and invite the public to support local artisans of these ancient crafts in our country.
Come enjoy a collection of works under the themes 'Historical Perspective' and 'Weaving Today', a showcase of historical weaving equipment, and our ever popular pop-up shop filled to the rafters with hand woven, knitted, felted and other delightful yarn creations, lifestyle products and wearables.
We look forward to sharing our love of fibre arts with you.
The thread of our rich heritage
Over hundreds of years, Cape Town has established itself as a shining beacon of trade, industry and craft at the southern tip of Africa.
The Cape Guild of Weavers, South Africa’s oldest guild – founded on 24 June 1950, is dedicated to keeping a small part of that rich culture alive. Our aim is to encourage and promote the enduring and very satisfying crafts of weaving, spinning, knitting, felting and dyeing through the enthusiastic participation of our members.
Our membership spans the Western Cape and beyond and includes hobbyists and professionals alike.
And in sharing a common interest, we break down communication barriers between generations, sexes and differing cultures.
FEEL OUR FIBRE?
In an ever-increasing digital and electronic world, peace of mind and soul can be found in the tactile realm of fibre arts.
We welcome all weavers, spinners, dyers, felters, knitters and more.
Unwind with our legacy crafts
What have you always wanted to learn?
Fancy learning the ancient art of spinning? What about discovering the pigment potentials of plants right in your backyard? Or how to unravel your mind through the structure of warp and weft.
We believe in the age-old restorative power of slow-made, and in preserving the ancestral legacies handed down to us through fibre arts.
The Cape Guild of Weavers is predominantly a home for weavers, spinners, dyers, knitters and felters – both young and old, seasoned or beginners.
If your fibre vocation falls outside of our primary pillars, but you’re looking for community among like-minded textile lovers, join anyway. You never know where the path may take you.
Why join the guild?
You mean besides the cake, tea and camaraderie?
Workshops and classes
Each year, we plan and host a series of workshops on a variety of skills and craft techniques. These are run by our own members, as well as specially invited guest facilitators, and some sessions are open to the public.
Access to our guild library
Over half a century, we’ve built up what’s quite possibly the most substantial local library of books, magazines and videos on the fibre arts, housed at the South African Centre for the Netherlands and Flanders – (SASNEV) in Pinelands. As a member, you’ll gain access to this library, and can borrow books for up to a month at a time.
It’s open during our monthly meetings. We subscribe to overseas textile journals and receive news from other guilds in the country as well as from overseas.
Browse the digital catalogue of our library.
Community
Enjoy the company of and conversation (and cake!) of likeminded weavers, knitters and textile enthusiasts at our monthly talks and gatherings.
Biannual exhibitions
Every two years, we hold an exhibition to showcase the extraordinary work of our members, a prestigious event with high-quality crafts for show and for sale. There are demonstrations of weaving, spinning and other related crafts during these exhibitions. Keep an eye on our social media for more information.
Curious to learn more?
We hold bi-annual public meetings for anyone to come and share in the joys of fibre arts. Follow us on Instagram or Facebook so you don’t miss those dates!
Guild Shop Hours
Contact for more information:
For shop queries or purchases contact
capeguildofweaversshop@gmail.com
Contact Us
For general inquiries
capeguildofweavers@gmail.com
Become a Member
To join the guild, sign up here.
FIND US HERE
Website by Andrea Fedder