Guilders Weave 2026 – Tidewater Basketry Guild Basketry Convention

About Guilders Weave

Guilders Weave (often called GW26 for 2026) is an adult basketry convention hosted by the Tidewater Basketry Guild of Virginia. The event runs from Thursday evening through early Sunday afternoon, taking over the Newport News Marriott at City Center with classrooms, hospitality, and basketmakers from across the country.

Small class sizes, a wide mix of techniques, and a friendly “weavers helping weavers” atmosphere make Guilders Weave one of the most talked-about winter events in the U.S. basketry calendar. In recent years, attendance has topped 175 registered students.

Event Highlights

• Four days of weaving & learning
  Classes start Thursday evening and continue all day Friday and Saturday, wrapping up early Sunday afternoon.

• Adult weaving event
  Designed specifically for adult students, with projects and pacing tailored for grown-up weavers.

• Small class sizes
  Most classes are limited to around 10 students, giving you plenty of time with your instructor.

• Variety of baskets & techniques
  Teachers are selected to cover a range of techniques, materials, skill levels, and price points—from classic reed and cane to creative designs and embellishments.

• Meals built into registration
  The registration fee is structured around the meals provided during the event, with past student registrations in the mid-$100 range (exact price varies by year).

• Teacher marketplace
  A dedicated teacher marketplace on Friday evening allows instructors to sell extra kits and finished work—this is the official vending time for teachers.

• Public shopping hours
  Some vendors (like The Country Seat) offer open shopping hours at Guilders Weave: typically 6–10 pm Thursday and 9–5 Friday & Saturday, welcoming both attendees and local shoppers.

• Overflowing hospitality room
  Attendees pitch in to stock a hospitality space with snacks and drinks, so there’s always a spot to grab a nibble between rows of shaping and packing.

Schedule at a Glance

(Exact class times and offerings are set by Tidewater Basketry Guild; this is a typical pattern for GW26)

• Thursday, January 15

  • Registration and check-in

  • Evening classes: approximately 6:00–10:00 pm

• Friday, January 16

  • Full day of classes: approximately 8:00 am–5:00 pm

  • Teacher marketplace and vendor shopping in the evening

• Saturday, January 17

  • Full day of classes: approximately 8:00 am–5:00 pm

  • Convention meals and social time

• Sunday, January 18

  • Morning/early afternoon classes: approximately 8:00 am–2:00 pm

  • Pack-up, goodbyes, and travel home

Location & Lodging

Venue & Hotel
Newport News Marriott at City Center
740 Town Center Drive, Newport News, VA 23606, USA

Guilders Weave uses the Marriott as a one-stop convention hub: classrooms, banquet space, and guest rooms all in the same complex.

Tidewater Basketry Guild has arranged a special group room rate for Guilders Weave 2026:

• Group rate: about $129 per night (plus tax) at Newport News Marriott at City Center

• Group block dates: typically from the day before through the day after the event (January 14–19, 2026)

• Group rate includes enhanced breakfast on key mornings for guests in the block

• Reservation deadline: the hotel link and cut-off date (for 2025 it’s listed as mid-December 2025) are posted on the official Guilders Weave page

Always confirm the current rate, dates, and booking link on the Tidewater Basketry Guild website under the Guilders Weave tab.

Who Should Attend

Guilders Weave is perfect for:

• Adult basketmakers from beginner to advanced

• Weavers who enjoy small, focused classes

• Guild members and independent weavers looking for a winter weaving getaway

• Teachers who want to propose classes and connect with enthusiastic students

Registration & Class Info

Class lists, registration forms, policies, and teacher bios are all posted on the Guilders Weave 2026 section of the Tidewater Basketry Guild website

Because of the event’s popularity, GW26 filled and closed registration quickly in 2025 updates. If you’re planning to attend in future years, watch for:

• Teacher information and proposals opening around April–May

• Student registration and class selection forms posted mid-summer

• A firm postmark date in early September that determines the first round of class draws, with current Tidewater Basketry Guild members given priority in that draw.

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