SIX DAY CHAIRMAKING COURSE

Six day chairmaking courses set in ancient Sussex woodland, 15 miles North of Lewes. Learn all the green woodworking skills you need to make a handsome and strong English Windsor chair.

£680

The course is set in a charming outdoor summer workshop, and is taught by professional chair maker, Jason Mosseri. You will learn how to select a suitable green Ash log, cleave it into parts, and, using a wooden spring pole lathe, “turn” these parts into legs and stretchers. Then, using a shave horse and drawknife, you will make your spindles. Bows and crests will be steamed and then bent onto simple forms. Whilst these are all drying in the wood fired kiln, participants will be taught how to carve a seat using an Adze and a Travisher. Finally, after drilling the mortices and turning the tenons, we will frame the chair.

At the end of the six days, you will leave with a strong, elegant chair made by your own fair hand! Working in a lovely woodland setting for a week will give you the opportunity to settle into the tranquility of nature, and to deeply relax. Frequent tea breaks are encouraged, and the kettle’s always hot!

The two basic chairs that I teach, use all the above techniques, and are achievable with no previous experience. If you are experienced, and are seeking to improve and hone your skills, you can chose to make a more complicated chair, just let me know your ideas in advance.

“What a fabulous week’s woodworking in the woods. From the first minute the pole lathes began turning the experience was an utter delight, shared with a very special group of fellow enthusiastic novices. The course was immaculately constructed and, testament to your approach so were our end results; beautiful.”

– Seb

Chair Making Course Dates

Start DateEnd DateAvailabilityBook
12th May 202417th May 2024Places AvailableBook
2nd June 20247th June 2024Places AvailableBook
7th July 202412th July 2024Places AvailableBook
25th August 202430th August 2024Places AvailableBook
16th September 202421st September 2024Places AvailableBook
13th October 202418th October 2024Places AvailableBook

The course costs £680 and includes all materials, tools and a simple vegetarian lunch. Please refer to our website for full details and dates for courses during 2023, you can also view my video for an insight into
the course.

To check availability, to ask me a question or to book, please email me : hopespringschairs@gmail.com or phone, 07795 114 982.

Payment can be made by PayPal, cheque or BACS.

Groups will be of eight people at the most.  The woodland is situated 15 miles north of Lewes.

The course is not residential, if you would like a shortlist of local accommodation please get in touch.

Please make sure that you are able to travel independently to the site which is near the village of Nutley.