BA Spring School 2027: Chair Seating – Rachael South

Tickets available from 10am Saturday 9 January 2027

Spring School at Duchy College (formerly 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 2027 the ticket prices are:

• Residential: £670
• Non-residential: £415

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

Bursaries

There are 5 bursaries of up to £670 (sponsored by the Worshipful Company of Basketmakers’ Charitable Trust and the Basketmakers’ Association) and a travel bursary of £400 (sponsored by an anonymous donor) available for the Spring School.   Members of 2 continuous years’ standing may apply.

Please go the Bursaries, Awards and Cups section in the Members’ Area of the Basketmakers’ Association website for further information.

The course

A chair seating course for students wishing to work on chairs, stools or practice frames.  You can bring a suitable chair or stool to work on and practice frames will also be available to  buy.

Those attending will also be invited to watch demonstrations using all of the materials and they may also wish to try more than one technique during the course.  Those students with experience of chair seating will be able to expand their patttern knowledge and try some new material combinations.

Suitability:  all levels

Estimated cost of materials: £25 payable directly to the tutor,

Your tutor

Rachael South is a third-generation chair caner and seat weaver, taught by her father, who learned the craft from his own father.

Her commission work involves the restoration of fine antique furniture and modern design classics. She works with traditional materials and techniques, including chair caning, hand-twisted rush seating, skeined willow, seagrass and Danish paper cord.

Rachael is also continually exploring ideas for contemporary and experimental seat weaving. She creates woven seats on both new and restored frames, combining traditional and non-traditional materials such as leather and wire. These pieces have been produced for exhibitions, commissions and collaborations with other designers and larger companies.

Most recently, her work has been exhibited at The William Morris Museum, and two of her pieces have been acquired by the Museum of London for its permanent collection.