Chair caning and seat weaving are traditional crafts with a long and varied history, shaped by changing materials, techniques and styles across time. In this seminar, Rachael South explores the development of these crafts alongside her own journey working within them.
Drawing on her experience as a third-generation upholsterer, Rachael will reflect on how knowledge and skills are passed down, how the craft has evolved, and what it means to continue a family tradition in a modern context.
The session will touch on different seat weaving techniques, including hand caning and related methods, offering insight into how these processes have been used in both historic and contemporary work.
Blending personal story with craft history, this seminar offers a deeper understanding of a heritage skill and the people who keep it alive today.