36 Hour Classes
INSTRUCTOR: Carol Hardy, Fellow
COURSE: Furniture Construction
PROJECT: Boston Side Chair, Circa 1750 (This class is FULL)
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The introduction of Queen Anne style furniture in the colonies occurred at a time when strong regional characteristics were developing. As a result, Americans adapted English Queen Anne style furniture differently in various regions of the country. Boston furniture tended to be conservative, generally delicate and spare, with strong vertical lines, unique among colonial pieces. The Boston chair that students will be constructing is a fine example of this development with a simple vase- shaped splat, saddle cresting, and pinched back. It also features turned stretchers, crook-back design which was introduced to Boston chairs in the early 1720s, compass seat, sawed flat-arch seat rails, and cabriole legs with pad feet.
Students will learn authentic joinery, including the construction of rabbets, mortise and tenon pinned joints, and lap joints. They will be turning leg stretchers on a duplicator lathe, use pin-routing jigs to shape various components of the chair, and hand-shape the flat feet with deeply cushioned pads. Students will also learn authentic construction of a loose-seat frame. Silks as well as leather, the most popular upholstery for these 18th Century chair seats, will be provided. Students may opt to stitch their own needlework at a later time for upholstering the seat. Finishing options will be discussed, including the opportunity to airbrush a fine lacquer finish in class.
TIME:
36 hours. Completion likely.
POWER TOOLS:
table saw, scroll saw, lathe, moto tool, drill press, shaper, airbrush
SKILL LEVEL:
This class is suitable for all levels from beginner to advanced. Students will use a variety of both hand tools and power tools. It is helpful if they are familiar with power tools. Accurate measuring is essential as the use of calipers will be necessary.
MATERIALS FEE:
$75