Chair Making Course: Mid-Century Upholstered Chair (4-Week Course)
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate (Is this course right for me?)
Join our four-week, project-led Chair Making Course in Farnham, Surrey.
Following our Learning by Making philosophy, you will complete a fully upholstered hardwood chair while developing advanced woodworking skills, including joinery, shaping, and upholstery techniques. Small class sizes ensure focused guidance, helping you gain confidence and precision in both hand and machine processes.
This structured programme guides students through every stage of the build — from technical drawing study to templating and jig making, joinery, component shaping, upholstery, and finishing.
Working in a choice of hardwoods, you will develop practical knowledge of chair ergonomics, timber selection, and structural design. Hand skills and machinery are taught in equal measure, with emphasis on proportion, refined surface quality, and professional workshop practice.
Students complete a fully upholstered mid-century chair, choosing from a selection of woods and fabrics to create a piece that reflects their own personal style and expression.
By the end of the course, you will have gained the knowledge, confidence and skills to construct a chair, create templates and jigs, select and lay out joinery, shape components, apply ergonomic and structural principles, and confidently apply these techniques in future projects.
Designed to welcome both beginners and those with prior woodworking experience, the course provides a thorough and carefully considered immersion in fine furniture making, building confidence and skill within a supportive and well-paced environment.
To ensure individual attention, there are never more than six students to one tutor on this course.
The course is taught in our Farnham workshop, on the Surrey–Hampshire border, Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm, with workshop access from 8am to 5pm.
Course Details
Duration: 4 Weeks
Course Fee: £3,350 – £3,450 (dependent on timber selection)
Maximum Student Tutor Ratio: 6:1
Materials: Chairs may be constructed in Ash, Oak, Walnut, or English Walnut. All project materials are included in the course fee.
What You Will Learn:
Hand Tool Preparation & Selection: hand tool fettling, selection, maintenance, and storage.
Chair Ergonomics: principles of chair design and ergonomic standards.
Sharpening: blade sharpening, card scrapers, and back bevels.
Hand Shaping: shaping timber components using spokeshaves, rasps, and card scrapers.
Machine Shaping: shaping timber components using power tools and machinery.
Wood Material Science: timber selection and recognising defects.
Jig Making: templating and jig construction from technical drawings.
Joinery: joint selection, strength analysis, and jig-based batch cutting.
Groundwork: panel construction principles for upholstery.
Machinery & Power Tools: safe selection and use.
Wood Finishing: oils, waxes, and advanced finishing techniques.
Upholstery: foam shaping, calico fixing, fabric application, and hand stitching.
Glue-Up Techniques: building and using chair glue-up jigs.
Abrasives & Surface Preparation: selection and correct application.
Adhesives: selection and correct use.
Health & Safety: safe practice in machine and bench workshops.
Courses run from 9am to 4pm. Workshop access is available from 8am to 5pm.
We provide tea and coffee throughout the course, but you will need to arrange your own lunch. We recommend bringing a packed lunch each day. Farnham town centre is only a few minutes away by car if you need anything.
Accommodation is not included, but there are many excellent hotels and B&Bs in the area. Click this link to see a selection offering special rates.
Please note that we are unable to accept applications from anyone under the age of 18 at the start of their course.
Course Dates
If you would like to be notified when new course dates are available, you can do so via our Newsletter here.
Get in Touch!
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