Rush-Seat Restoration

This two-day course is for people wishing to renovate a chair that has a seat or panel/s made from Rush.  No previous experience is necessary.

Materials: We will be using the Bulrush (Scirpuis Laucustris). As well as learning the traditional techniques we will look a little into the history, harvesting and regional variations of chair design and Rush patterns.

Project:  A chair or stool suitable for a Rush seat will have 4 unpolished rails lower than their corner posts.  As a guide, please do not bring a seat with a surface area of more than 15” square (225 sq inches); many seats are trapezoidal in shape so dimensions may vary. Please note that Drop-in seats are not the best for beginners.  

Please bring your proposed project along to the class having completed any structural repair work; even if this means you have to remove the old seat. Please treat for woodworm if necessary!  If you have cut out the old seat, please bring along clear “before” photograph/s of the item & the seat and retain 5 – 6 short strands cut from the old seat so we can match the coil thickness.  The old seat may also be used for stuffing the new seat – remove with care wearing a scarf or dust mask.

Toolkit:  Some spare tools may be available to borrow at the class, but it is suggested that you try to build your own kit to bring along. This need not be expensive or new:

Basic & easy to find: Heavy-duty scissors, craft knife, old cotton tea towel, 6 wooden spring-clip clothes pegs or bulldog clip, tape measure, soft pencil, soft twine,  2 old sheets or blankets (cotton or woolen), a strong carrier bag, plant sprayer, & dust masks.

Specific: Spatula-shaped smooth wooden implement (c10” long, tapering from max width 4”, narrow depth) for stuffing the underside pockets of the seat, a rush-threading tool (like a football lacer or large sacking needle) or a bradle / brad-awl with an eye c.2cm long or an 8” piece of wire bent to an eye at one end, a wooden ‘Bun’ handle or doorknob.

You may also find a small, low stool useful you are happy to work sitting down.

Course cost

£115.00 including materials

Next course dates

Saturday & Sunday 21st & 22nd August 2010

Saturday & Sunday 11th & 12th September 2010

Booking

Please contact us to request a place on a course.