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    Fine Woodworking Project Guides

    Chairs, Benches, and Stools

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    Build a Contemporary Stool with a Woven Danish Cord Seat

    Watch David Johnson's woven-seat stool being built in this 5-minute video that goes from rough lumber to woven seat.

    Author Headshot By David Johnson #284-Sep/Oct 2020 Issue

    This series is a little different from many of our other video workshops. Our original intention was to capture David Johnson’s weaving on video to help drive home the concepts in his article “How to weave a seat with Danish cord” in the Sept./Oct. 2020 issue of Fine Woodworking. While we were there, we thought it would be fun to capture the full build.

    David’s stool is fairly simple and there aren’t plans available. This series is more about giving a glimpse into David’s workflow, not just the techniques he uses in his woven seats, but as a woodworker and designer as well. We hope you enjoy it.

    In this project overview, watch David’s woven-seat stool come to be in this 5-minute video that goes from rough lumber to woven seat.

    About David:
    David Johnson graduated from the College of the Redwoods in 1997, studying under James Krenov. He taught himself to weave seats using the definitive book on the subject, The Caner’s Handbook by Jim Widess and Bruce W. Miller, and then later worked for Widess at The Caning Shop in Berkeley. That experience paved the way for where David is now, specializing in the conservation of Danish Modern chairs with woven seats from his home shop in Los Angeles. He also produces original work and teaches weaving.

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    Videos in the Series

    • Build a Contemporary Stool with a Woven Danish Cord Seat

      July 14, 2020

      Watch David Johnson's woven-seat stool being built in this 5-minute video that goes from rough lumber to woven seat.

    • Contemporary Stool: Hybrid Joinery Methods

      July 14, 2020

      Learn how to combine the speed of the multi-router with the precision of hand work when cutting the joinery for the stool.

    • Contemporary Stool: Adding Curves and Texture

      July 14, 2020

      Give the stool an elegant look with subtle curves and hand-carved texturing on the legs, then glue it all together with hot hide glue.

    • How to Apply a Soap Finish

      Contemporary Stool: Applying a Soap Finish

      July 14, 2020

      Soap as a finish? Yes! In this video learn how to use soap flakes to create a thin, low-sheen finish that enhances the wood grain.

    • Contemporary Stool: Weaving the Warp Pattern of the Seat

      July 14, 2020

      The Danish cord seat begins to take shape as you work on the warp structure, which runs from front to back.

    • Contemporary Stool: Weaving the Weft Pattern of the Seat

      July 14, 2020

      Fill in the left-to-right weave, or weft pattern, of the woven Danish cord seat.

    X
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    Previous: A Post-and-Rung Stool with Round Joints Built to Last Next: Contemporary Stool: Hybrid Joinery Methods

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    Chairs, Benches, and Stools

    Chapter

    Stools

    Comments

    1. ThomasN | Jul 14, 2020 07:27pm | #1

      Excellent craftsmanship and I learned a new finish technique in soap finishing. BUT, the series was a bit tedious with David's lack of enthusiasm. It felt like I was listening to a brain surgeon explain a procedure. LOL

    2. FernandoCela | Jul 17, 2020 09:40pm | #2

      It's very beautiful
      How to know the measurements of the project?
      Thanks

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    Design and Techniques
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