Tutorial: Jan. 30 - Feb. 3, 2012
Tutorial:
April 9 - 13, 2012
with
Drew Langsner
Nobody knows when the first Windsor style chairs were made, but it's certain
that chairs utilizing legs and backrest spindles fitted to a solid plank
seat have been crafted for centuries. In rural Wales, Ireland and the
west counties of England, folk art vernacular Windsors were pr
oduced
throughout the 1800's that often have a sculptural presence and informal,
personal appeal that is very different from more sophisticated professionally
produced Windsors.
These
“rustic Windsors” were generally made by part-time chairmakers
who were also farmers or perhaps boat builders or wagon makers. Our late
friend John
Brown called his version of this vernacular seating “Welsh
stick chairs.” Drew didn't like the term “stick;”
John disliked “rustic.” (The Country Workshops Store
now stocks a new Welsh printing of John's book.)
The
rustic Windsor made in this course utilizes a large, comfortable seat
and a four-piece sculpted arm-bow. The legs are octagonal in cross-section,
with a wide foot that tapers into cylindrical tapered tenons fitted to
mortises in the solid plank seat. A low-back or high-back version can
be made during the course.
For
this course we utilize green oak rivings (carefully split-out stock) for
the spindles and air-dried sawn stock for the composite arm-bow, legs
and seat. The tenon ends of the legs, which are turned on a lathe, will
be kiln dried at the time of assembly. The course includes a detailed
lecture/demonstration that will solve the mystery of the compound angles
for the legs and spindles found on all Windsor chairs. Making the rustic
Windsor also serves as an excellent introduction to the more formal Windsor
styles.
Tuition for these fall and winter tutorials
is $1125. The tuition includes all materials, meals and accommodations.
Specialty chairmaking tools are also provided.
.
Country Workshops Home Page
E-mail:
Drew Langsner
Phone:
828-656-2280 (Daily, 9-6 Eastern time)