BA Spring School 2025 : Chair Seating – Cane, Rush, Paper Cord, Willow Skeins, Seagrass

Tickets available from 10am 11th January 2025

Spring School at Harrogate Ladies’ College offers four full days to immerse yourself in basketry with top-class tutors. There is also plenty of opportunity to relax and get to know fellow basketmakers from all around the UK and beyond.

Both residential (single-occupancy room, shared bathroom, all meals) and non-residential (includes lunches and Sunday evening meal) options will be available. In 2025 the ticket prices are:

• Residential: £575
• Non-residential: £335

Only one ticket is available per BA member, and material costs are payable directly to tutors at the end of the week.

By purchasing a ticket you are agreeing to the cancellation policy as detailed in the Basketmakers’ Associations Terms and Conditions

A chair seating course for students who would like to work on chairs, stools or practice frames using one of the following materials: cane, rush, paper cord, willow skeins or seagrass.

Students will be invited to bring a suitable chair or stool if they have one and practice frames will also be available to buy.

Students will be also be invited to watch demonstrations using all the materials and may want to try more than one technique during the course. For those with experience you will be able to expand your pattern knowledge and try some new material combinations.

Suitability:  for chair seaters of all abilities

Estimated cost of materials: £25 for seating materials.  Practice frames £10 each

Your tutor

I am a third-generation chair caner and seat weaver. I was taught by my father who learned from his father.

My commission work involves restoration on fine antique furniture and modern design classics. I use traditional materials for chair caning, hand twisted rush seating, skeined willow, seagrass and Danish paper cord.

I am also always trying ideas for contemporary experimental seat weaving.

I also make woven seats on new and restored frames using a combination of traditional and non-traditional materials such as leather and wire. I have produced these pieces for exhibitions, commissions and collaborations with other designers and larger companies. Most recently my work has been exhibited at The William Morris Museum and The Museum of London has acquired 2 of my pieces for their permanent collection.