How to Make Willow Chairs

By Mother Earth News Editors
Published on January 1, 1977
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Handmade willow chairs can add a beautiful look to your porch or sitting area.
Handmade willow chairs can add a beautiful look to your porch or sitting area.
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Here, author Ernest Lewis shows how to cut all your pieces of willow stock to length. (Reference of Photo 2)
Here, author Ernest Lewis shows how to cut all your pieces of willow stock to length. (Reference of Photo 2)
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Lewis shows how to complete the frame of the willow chair. (Reference of Photo 4)
Lewis shows how to complete the frame of the willow chair. (Reference of Photo 4)
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Lewis shows how to make left and right chair halves separately. (Reference of Photo 3)
Lewis shows how to make left and right chair halves separately. (Reference of Photo 3)
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Finally, Lewis shows how to finish the frame of the willow chair. (Reference of Photo 7)
Finally, Lewis shows how to finish the frame of the willow chair. (Reference of Photo 7)
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Lewis shows how to make the headrest of the willow chair. (Reference of Photo 6)
Lewis shows how to make the headrest of the willow chair. (Reference of Photo 6)
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Use this diagram to see how to attach the seat of the willow chair. (Reference of Figure 1)
Use this diagram to see how to attach the seat of the willow chair. (Reference of Figure 1)
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Lewis shows how to make the arms of the willow chair. (Reference of Photo 5)
Lewis shows how to make the arms of the willow chair. (Reference of Photo 5)

If you like to work with your hands and you’ve always wanted your own backyard or garage business–but you lack “seed money” to invest in such an operation–why not make willow chairs?

Ernest J. Lewis earns a couple hundred dollars weekly making these wonderfully old-timey pieces of furniture, and there’s no reason why you can’t do the same! All you need are a few simple hand tools, the desire to make a quality item and the knowledge of how to do it. On the assumption that you already have the first two requisites, here is Ernest’s shared knowledge on how to make willow chairs.

Gathering Willow

When the plant’s buds begin to swell and leaf tips start to appear on its branches–in other words, when the sap starts to flow–that’s the time to go after willow. (Any variety is suitable.) Here in northern California, where the winters are relatively mild, I’m able to begin my harvest in early February.

You’ll find willows in abundance wherever there’s water (along riverbanks, around lakes and ponds, etc.) and, quite often, along road rights-of-way. (State and county highway departments seldom object to the trimming back of roadside willows, since that’s usually one of their unending chores. It might not be a bad idea, though, to ask for permission before you start hacking away.)

Take along either a pruning saw or a carpenter’s saw (pruning shears also come in handy on your forays). And plan on cleaning up your on-site trimmings…unless, of course, you take your collection of branches home untrimmed.

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