Certificate of Competence in Hand Spinning (CCHS)

The Certificate of Competence in Hand Spinning is a comprehensive course of study developed by the Guild to encourage and maintain a consistent standard of spinning knowledge and skills.

The course has been revised so for more information please contact the Registrar Helen Storey at learn@spinweavensw.org

Certificate in Hand Weaving (CHW)

The Certificates in Hand Weaving were developed by the Guild based on the successful program devised by the Guild of Canadian Weavers to encourage and maintain a consistent standard of weaving knowledge and skills.

Weaving the samples can be used as a guided course for group study to develop and refine weaving skills while collating samples and information in a workbook for future reference or to consolidate your skills to teach weaving.

There are four certificates:

  • Basic to understand basic weave structures on 4 shafts and to demonstrate good weaving skills. Requirements (PDF)
  • Intermediate to understand weave structures on 4 and 8 shafts, to demonstrate weaving skills and to understand the suitability of fibre for its intended purpose. Requirements (PDF)
  • Advanced to demonstrate mastery of techniques, technical execution and skill, knowledge of weaving theory, and completeness of work and originality.
  • Master to demonstrate the mastery of techniques and theory of weave structures on 8 or more shafts. The In-Depth Study is the most important part of the Master level and must demonstrate research in considerable depth.

PDFs of the certificates requirements will be uploaded sequentially from 2016.

If you would like your work assessed contact the CHW Registrar at the Guild at any time to be given a number (to maintain impartiality). Send your samples and written work to the Guild on or before 31 May with the appropriate fee. Assessments will take place during June.

Candidates are encouraged to access the services that the Guild provides: classes, workshops, summer and winter schools, our extensive library, equipment for hire, Guild store, as well as the vast knowledge of Guild members.

Accreditation of judges

The Hand Weavers and Spinners Guild of NSW has a list of accredited judges for shows (country and city), exhibitions and other competitions involving fibres, hand spinning, hand weaving, felting, braiding and other associated crafts such as knitting and crochet. Download an accreditation of judges application.

To be eligible for this accreditation members must fulfil the following criteria:

  • show a high level of personal skill, knowledge and expertise in our crafts;
  • have attended a training seminar/discussion for judges, or similar, conducted by the Guild;
  • have worked as a trainee judge with an experienced judge on at least one occasion and be recommended by that judge as having the necessary;
  • knowledge, skills and expertise to become a competent judge; and
  • be willing to travel to and judge at least two shows/competitions per year if invited.

Please contact the Guild if you would like to become an accredited judge or if you need somebody to judge your show.