SHORT courseS
1-Week Courses
Introductory course
The intensive 1-week introductory course provides an opportunity for students to unleash their woodworking passion and get a feel for what life is like as a craftsman.
Guided by our highly experienced tutors, you’ll dive into a world of woodworking skills and techniques from Monday to Friday on our beautiful campus in rural East Lothian.
Ideal for both beginners and hobbyists, this course offers a welcoming introduction to Chippendale School’s expertise. The best part? No prior woodworking experience is needed; we cater to all levels.
Throughout the week, you’ll focus on mastering hand skills, without the use of heavy machinery. By the course’s end, you’ll proudly craft your own hardwood box and side table, with the chance to explore lathe work.
Plus, if you catch the woodworking bug and go on to enrol in our 30-week course later (as many students do), we’ll deduct your 1-week woodworking course fees from the total cost.
This 5-day intensive practical course gives students an introduction to a whole range of woodworking skills and techniques. This short course is taught by Chippendale School’s highly experienced tutors and runs Monday to Friday to small groups of up to ten students.
The course is perfect for those with little to no experience and especially those seeking to dip their toes in the Chippendale School experience, before committing to longer courses such as the 30-week professional course.
Expect to learn predominantly hand skills, with no use of heavy machinery and only use of a band saw. From day one you’ll be sharpening your tools and on completing the course will leave having made your very own hardwood box and side table. You will also have the chance to turn a bowl on the lathe. All tools and materials required for the course are provided, as well as tea and coffee!
Expect to work with:
- Hand tools
- Measuring tools
- Planes
- Chisels
- Marking gauges
- Hinges
- Tool set-up and sharpening
- Joints
- Glue-ups
- Assembly and finishing techniques.
Please note, this course is for adults aged 18 years and over.
The fee for this course is £1,000 with an initial £250 deposit payment to secure your place. All fees are non-refundable.
If your desired course is full, you can join our introductory course waiting list. Simply get in touch.
Our upcoming 1-week courses will run:
- 23 – 27 Jun 2025
- 28 Jul – 01 Aug 2025
- 25 – 29 Aug 2025
- 15 – 19 Sept 2025
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Restoration course
The restoration course is led by the School’s resident restoration specialist, Clare Charleston who has more than 25 years of experience in restoring antique furniture to its former glory.
Designed to introduce restoration skills, on this course, students will be shown various methods of antique furniture restoration, from structural repairs to refinishing techniques. All tools and materials will be supplied.
Each student can bring one piece of furniture to be restored and pieces will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Those with more complex items will be given instructions on continuing the work from home after the course has finished.
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Upholstery course
Led by Rose Whittington, an upholsterer with over 30 years of experience, this hands-on, 1-week upholstery course will explore the craft of traditional upholstery. From Monday to Friday, you’ll have the opportunity to explore classic upholstery methods and adaptable foam techniques all within a small group of 8.
Traditional Upholstery Skills
Throughout the week, you will focus on core techniques, including:
- Securing webbing
- Sewing down hourglass springs
- Tying springs to the frame
- Attaching jute tarpaulin
- Creating a scrim roll
- Sewing down horsehair and securing layers of padding
- Covering your piece in calico and applying the final fabric
Finishing Touches
You will also develop essential finishing techniques such as:
- Cutting for corners (useful for both foam and traditional upholstery)
- Applying piping and gimp
- Turning corners and handling fabric around chair arms (if applicable)
What to Bring
Participants should bring their own chair and approximately one meter of fabric for the final covering. The best practice piece for this course is a standard old dining chair, preferably with arms. Guidance on fabric selection is available if needed.
*Monday 30th June: Pre-Course Preparation Meeting All students are invited to bring their chair to the school to receive advice on how to strip the chair before the start of the course. The chair must be: 1. Stripped of all existing upholstery 2. Treated (painted, oiled, varnished) 3. Not wobbly
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Why Chippendale?
Every year the Chippendale International Furniture School welcomes people from around the world from all walks of life to its magical corner of East Lothian. Here, you will learn from highly experienced tutors in a warm and welcoming environment. You will be supported from the moment you start the application process, through to completing your course having created your own pieces.
ARRANGE A VISIT
If you are looking to pursue a career in woodworking, get in touch to arrange a visit or a virtual call with the Principal.
Read about other courses
30 WEEK COURSE
Our professional course is ideal for those looking to pursue a career in fine furniture design and making. With 30 students, starting each year in October, taught by an in-house team of tutors and a range of visiting experts.
4 WEEK COURSE
This course is for those who wish to come and design and make a piece of furniture. With a maximum of 4 students, these courses are popular with hobbyists and fill up fast. The complexity of the design will be dictated by the individual student’s level of experience.
WEEKEND COURSES
These courses provide the most accessible route into woodworking. Over 2 days, students can learn how to turn a stool on one of our woodturning weekends. Or, carve a set of wooden spoons on our spoon carving course.
