Festival of Stuff: Morning - Chair Caning Masterclass

Festival of Stuff

During this chair caning masterclass, lead by master Rachael South, you will learn to weave the classic six-way pattern traditionally used on cane furniture. The cane you will use for the weaving will be bark of the rattan palm (a jungle creeper from Indonesia.) During this masterclass you will weave a sample frame with a six-way pattern, use a variety of specialist tools used for caning, and discuss the techniques and the history of this craft.

Rachael South was taught chair caning by her father, Terry South, who was an upholsterer. He himself had learned from his father Michael South. Michael had a pedlars licence and caned chairs on the street close to his home in Ladbroke Grove, West London. As well as working on all types of woven seating to upholstery, Rachael’s passion is to experiment with a wide range of materials and push the traditional patterns, bringing a more contemporary approach to this traditional and family craft.