Make a Chair from a Tree Workshop Course - Coal Creek

In our 3-weekend Make A Chair From A Trea Workshop, you will craft your own post-and-rung ladder-back chair inspired by Jennie Alexander, a pioneer "instrumental in designing the now iconic two-slat post-and-rung shaving chair." Our version is made from a log of sustainably harvested Gippsland Mountain Ash. A post-and-rung ladder-back chair is an excellent introduction to chair making and the techniques related to traditional wet and dry mortise and tenon joinery.

The genius of this chair's construction lies in that it requires no nails, screws, or even glue to achieve an heirloom piece of furniture and whose joinery will remain sound for generations to come, and whose construction can be achieved with only a small collection of simple hand tools.

Making this a truly accessible and satisfying chair-making project. The skills gained in this workshop can easily be applied to future chair-making projects.

Open To Everyone

If you are new to woodworking then we recommend that you have at least completed our Spoon Carving OR Shrink Pot Workshop. However if you have even some basic woodworking experience this is an achievable project.

What You'll Get

Your own post-and-rung ladder-back chair with a woven rush seat.

What To Bring

Clothing and footwear should be suitable for a workshop environment (but not heavy industrial), providing protection against wood chips, dropped objects, spills or splashes of varnishes and glues, while hair should be restrained or covered to avoid entanglement with machinery.

In addition, participants should bring a light lunch, a drink bottle and a sun hat on all days.