Chair design process; two new classes
Steps in bringing forward a new idea
I built this chair a few years ago. At that time, I had spent years researching and documenting for Backwoods Chairmakers, and I had in mind a traditionally made chair that was more contemporary in form. I also wanted to refine a design/build process for post-and-rung chairs… a process that works for both upright ladderbacks and for chairs with rake and splay.
The video is about 15 minutes in length. There’s setup and a little backstory, some stuttering and lack of eye contact, then an explanation of how I bring along a chair idea with a few lines on paper. This is how each chair idea starts. [The lines are faint…hopefully the context helps with the clarity of process.]
2025 Classes
Registration for two classes opened this week. Pictures and descriptions below. One is a Windsor chair class in Boston at the North Bennet Street School and the other, a stick chair class with Charles Thompson, will be held at my shop in Waldoboro, ME.
The full list of classes for 2025. (Classes in Maine, New Hampshire, Kentucky, and Massachusetts….check the “upcoming” page for classes outside of Maine).
Fan Back Windsor Chair. August 4-8, 2025. North Bennet Street School. Boston, MA
In this five-day class, students will build a fan back Windsor chair. We'll knock the crest and spindles out of a red oak log before shaping the parts on the shave horse. We'll then steam bend the comb and put the spindles in the kiln to dry. The pine seat is sculpted by using a scorp, travisher, and spokeshaves to achieve its comfortable shape. Once all the parts are made, the lower frame is assembled before drilling and fitting the upper. Our goal is to have the chair together on Friday afternoon. Finish prep and painting will happen after class (Andy will demonstrate and discuss finishing techniques). Windsor chairs are most frequently painted.
Stick Chairs w/ Charles Thompson and Andy Glenn. November 10-15, 2025. Waldoboro, ME
What makes a good stick chair? Well, there are plenty of answers to that question. No two stick chairs are quite the same. There’s a bit of alchemy in making them: one part creative impulse, one part inherent material characteristics, one part desired functionality. In this class, we’ll explore some of the things that make stick chairs special.
Students will each have the opportunity to imagine, design, and build their own unique chair. These can be based on provided forms, historic examples, or something entirely new. We’ll tackle the design process with individual attention and as a class under the guidance of instructors Andy Glenn and Charles Thompson. Then, through a mixture of greenwoodworking and working with dry stock, we’ll bring our chairs into the world.
Some questions we can expect to tackle are: What’s comfortable? What proportions should I aim for? How tall, thick, or thin should this part be? How can I guide an eye around my work? What joint works here?
While experience building chairs may help inform new ideas, no expertise is necessary.
Six day course. Two instructors: Charles Thompson and Andy Glenn. Students will need to bring a small tool kit (and we’ll have tools to share).
Question about a class? Interested in joining? Please send along a message.
Your 207 chair and stick chair are very attractive, as all your designs are. Rake and splay really takes ladderback chairs to another level visually and I wish those that aren’t fond of the style could sit in a chair like yours to feel how comfortable they can be. Good stuff, Andy. Wish I could make that stick chair class.
Great stuff! Thanks for sharing Andy.