The post and rung chair has a long history in the United States, reaching back through Shaker and Appalachian traditions. Thanks to a greenwood chairmaking revival ‘started’ by Jennie Alexander, Drew Langsner, and more recently Peter Follansbee, Andy Glenn, and numerous others, the tradition of using mostly hand tools to create simple vernacular chairs with woven seats continues today. In this class we’ll make a simple single slat chair using traditional and modern tools with fresh black ash and woven with cotton Shaker tape. Beginners are welcome, but some basic woodworking experience will make the learning curve with the tools shorter. This class will require some hand strength to grip tools and some extended periods of standing. Being able to open a sealed jar is an example of hand strength. 

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
• Card scraper
• Sloyd knife
• Block plane