Greenwoodworking presents
Make a Chair from a Tree, the video
The class is also available to stream or download at this link
The DVD is available here.
“Jennie (John) Alexander has been making post and rung chairs from green wood for over 35 years. During this period she has gradually evolved and refined his chair making process to what he presents in this video….
The importance of this video… is not just that she shows viewers how to make a handsome chair using only hand tools, but that he shares his extensive knowledge of working with green wood.”
Frank White, Curator of Mechanical Arts, Old Sturbridge Villiage.
Jennie (John) Alexander’s video is based on his book (of the same name) and the courses that she taught. Jennie taught Post and Rung chair making for 25 years at his shop in Baltimore and around the country. During that time he has refined and simplified the process. The construction of the chair incorporates wet and dry mortise and tenon joinery and interlocking joints that result in an elegant but simple chair that will last for years.
This two hour video takes the viewer through the entire chair making process, beginning with a log, then riving and shaving the posts, rungs and slats. You will see all of the techniques and methods needed to create a chair, including steam bending, horizontal boring and seat weaving. The entire chair is built using only hand tools and traditional techniques.
Included with the DVD is a PDF File with the construction dimensions and details of all the chair parts as well as related equipment, forms and jigs. This video is the next best thing to taking the class! It was produced by greenwoodworking, Anatol Polillo and ALP Productions. The PDF was updated with Jennie’s latest notes and details up until the time of her death in 2018. You can download that PDF here.