Dive into the wonderful world of chairmaking by shaping pieces of wood from log to finished stool. In this class, students will build a sturdy stool using traditional green woodworking techniques. Freshly felled “green” wood is pliable and responsive, well suited for shaping with hand tools and for learning foundational woodworking skills.

Chairmaking connects us to the structure of a tree and the strength revealed by splitting and shaping wood along the grain. Students will carve stool legs from firewood-like pieces using a drawknife while seated at a shaving horse, refining them into even, octagonal forms. We will explore the basic geometry of chair and stool legs, learning how angles work together to create a stable, well-balanced stool through drilling by hand and eye.

In addition to the drawknife, students will use a spokeshave to refine leg shapes and be introduced to several hand planes for flattening, shaping, and beveling the stool seat. The seat will be made from air-dried pine. Instruction emphasizes hands-on tool use, effective technique, and building confidence with material.

This class is designed as an accessible introduction to chairmaking and green woodworking. No prior woodworking experience is required, and all tools are provided. Students should expect periods of standing and hands-on tool use; moderate hand and grip strength is necessary. Students will leave with a finished stool and skills that can be applied to future woodworking projects.

Required Tools

• All required tools and materials will be provided.

Optional Tools

• Instructor will have all of these available for students, but if you have your own that you prefer using, bring them:
  • Drawknife
  • Spokeshave
  • Sloyd knife
  • Block plane