If you’ve ever seen a beautifully restored chair with woven seating and wondered how it’s done, you’re not alone. Traditional chair seating techniques, such as cane and rush weaving, are timeless crafts that are both practical and highly rewarding to learn.
At Millrace Furniture Restoration Co-Operative in Chelmsford, you can take part in a hands-on chair seating course designed to teach these traditional skills in a friendly, supportive environment.
Discover the Art of Cane and Rush Seating
This comprehensive course introduces you to the traditional techniques used to restore and create woven chair seats. Led by experienced tutor Paul Richmond, you’ll learn the detailed processes behind both cane seating and rush (or sea-grass) seating.
These methods have been used for generations and remain popular today for restoring antique furniture and creating durable, attractive seating.
Suitable for Beginners to Advanced Learners
Whether you’re completely new to furniture restoration or looking to expand your existing skills, the course is suitable for all levels.
You’ll be guided step-by-step, learning at your own pace while building confidence in your abilities.
What You’ll Learn
Throughout the course, you’ll gain hands-on experience in:
The six-way cane weaving pattern used in traditional chair seats
Techniques for rush and sea-grass seating
Preparing and repairing chair frames
Replacing damaged or worn seating
Applying traditional craftsmanship to both restoration and new projects
With expert guidance throughout, you’ll develop skills that can be used on a wide range of furniture pieces.
Bring Your Own Chair or Use Practice Pieces
You’re welcome to bring along your own chair to restore, giving you the chance to work on something meaningful while learning.
Alternatively, practice items are available, so you can still gain full hands-on experience even if you don’t have a piece to bring.
Learn a Traditional, Sustainable Craft
Chair seating is not only a valuable restoration skill — it’s also a sustainable way to extend the life of furniture. Instead of replacing damaged chairs, you can repair and reuse them, preserving both craftsmanship and materials.
Many people also find the weaving process to be calming and therapeutic, making it an enjoyable hobby as well as a practical skill.
Start Your Chair Seating Journey
If you’re looking to learn cane or rush chair seating in Chelmsford, Millrace Furniture Restoration Co-Operative offers the perfect opportunity to develop traditional skills in a welcoming, community-focused setting.
Whether you want to restore antique chairs, learn a new hobby or build practical skills, this course provides a strong foundation to get started.