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Making Børge Mogensen’s People’s Chair
Instructor - Craig Stevens
February 6-7, March 6-7, April 3-4, April 24, 2027 9am - 4pm (3 weekends + 1 Saturday)
The Advanced Courses are challenging classes that meet approximately one weekend each month. Each Advanced Course will focus on one specific furniture project through to its completion. During each monthly session, participants will receive detailed instruction for a particular aspect of the project. Students will then use the time between sessions to complete homework and make progress on their project at their own pace and in their own home shop. Advanced Course projects offer an opportunity to dive deeply into specific furniture styles and unique techniques that help students develop a broad range of advanced woodworking skills.
There are several chairs made by designers and makers from both the past and present that we would like to offer as classes, as well as make for ourselves. This chair, designed by Børge Mogensen in the late 1940’s, was called The People’s Chair and has been on our mind for some time. The chair has a very clean design that looks as beautiful today as it did more than 75 years ago.
Although fairly straightforward looking, this Advanced project is quite challenging to make.
The side rails join the legs at compound angles, meaning they not only flare out toward the wider front of the chair when seen from above, they also tilt down slightly from front to back. While making the position more comfortable to sit in, the compound angles make the joinery more challenging than some of the other chair projects we offer.
The backrest is steam-bent and angles back slightly - again for comfort. This results in a connection with the back legs that requires careful workmanship to create a perfect fit.
Participants will apply an oil finish at home prior to weaving the seat. The last session will focus on weaving the Danish cord. PFW will provide recommendations for oil finishes, which students can acquire on their own.
Cost includes all materials including Danish cord. Students will need to acquire oil finish on their own.