Hill Institute Master Furniture Program Course Description

 

Program Description:

The Hill Institute Master Furniture Program is a comprehensive course of study designed to develop students’ control and mastery of tools and materials by building knowledge and developing skills that will prepare and inspire them to create any form imagined or desired. Instruction includes use of hand tools, power tools, and machinery. Students must create a series of 5 skill-based furniture projects fulfilling at least 7 of the 9 required skill components that incorporate the foundations of woodworking as outlined in the following sections. Makers are welcome to work in any style from any country of origin and time period to incorporate the required skill components in their 5 furniture pieces.  

 

Pre-requisite: Minimum of 1 year in Introduction to Furniture Making, Woodworking (All Levels or Intermediate) at Hill Institute, or demonstration of woodworking skill at an intermediate level with experience in safely operating woodworking machinery. 

 

Required Skill Components: 

The 5 skill-based furniture projects target the following components: 1) Mortise & Tenon Joinery – by hand & machine; 2) Dovetailing – by hand; 3) Chair Framing – constructed to support the weight of the user; 4) Doors – constructing and installing at least one mortise and tenoned frame and panel door; 5) Drawers – hand dovetailed – inset or lipped construction;  6) Curves – cut from a solid piece of wood; 7) Turning – to include multiple transitions in size and shape on spindles such as legs, posts, columns, finials, or knobs; 8) Inlay & Veneer Work – inlay wood veneer or other material into solid wood, veneer applied to the entire surface of a project part; 9) Carving – incised, raised, or in the round (like legs, finials, or applied elements). 

 

Foundations of Woodworking:

The skills and knowledge of a master woodworker go beyond the manipulation of wood to include process and materials. By focusing on the foundations of woodworking, which are incorporated on an ongoing basis throughout the program, students will advance their core skills and broaden their knowledge base as they progress through the program. The foundations of woodworking include 1) Wood anatomy and principles of wood movement; 2) Stock preparation, also known as dressing or milling lumber; 3) Aspects of design, such as proportion, scale, aesthetics, and style of furniture; 4) Plans – reading, modifying, and rendering; 5) Construction – choosing choose fabrication solutions based on the design of a piece; 6) Sharpening edge tools (bench chisels, carving tools, plane blades, scrapers, and scratch stock); 7) Finishing products and applications for woodwork; and 8) Research for creative inspiration and to acquire project plans. 

 

Program Requirements: 

Completion of 5 furniture pieces incorporating no fewer than 7 of the 9 required skill components. Components can be combined in alternate variations from the description of furniture pieces section, as long as each required component is fulfilled at least once. 

 

Attendance: Class time is required for successful completion of program requirements. If a student cannot make it to class, progress must be demonstrated by making up class time in another class session or by putting in time on the project at home. 

 

Furniture Projects: 

There is flexibility within the scope of the program as long as 7 of the 9 targeted skill requirements are met with the completion of the student’s 5 furniture projects. The furniture projects are: 1) Lowboy or Equivalent Piece; 2) Hepplewhite Card Table or Equivalent Inlaid Table; 3) a Case Piece – Maker’s choice; 4) a Chair – Maker’s choice; and 5) a Capstone Piece of Your Choice. For a detailed description of furniture pieces with targeted skill components contact the instructor. 

 

Master Furniture Maker Certificate:

Students who successfully complete the series of 5 skill-based projects fulfilling at least 7 of the 9 required skill components that incorporate the foundations of woodworking will be awarded the Master Furniture Maker Certificate. 

 

For more information about the program or the registration process, please contact Sharon C. Mehrman.