Allan Breed
School of Woodworking

Teaching the design and construction of American 18th century furniture.

Each class at the Allan Breed School of Woodworking will teach the subtleties of design and construction that are so essential for the authentic reproduction of the best 18th century American furniture. The historical background of each piece will be discussed to help the student understand the evolution of the furniture forms built in each class.

2023 classes – registration open
July 10-14, 2023

Carved Footstool

There isn’t a project much better than a stool to cover lots of hand woodworking skills, from basic joinery to carving.

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August 7-11, 2023

Carving in the Newport Style

This class will cover the hallmark Newport elements: concave and convex shells, ball and claw and bracket feet and the Egyptian-like sparse knee carving. I will pass on the basic processes and tricks I’ve learned in making nearly 30 Newport pieces over the years.

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August 21 – 25, 2023

How to Use Wood Carving Tools

A step by step approach to carving with hand tools. Carving is as much learning how to see as it is dexterity with the tools, and we will cover both aspects of the craft in this class.

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September 11-15, 2023

Essential Rococo Carving

Learn how to carve a cartouche that includes many of the typical Rococo elements: c-scrolls, raffles, flowers, piercing and acanthus leaves.

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October 2-6, 2023

Introduction to Hand Tools

This class will introduce woodworkers to basic hand tool use through the process of building a small box with a sliding lid. The goal of this class is to be able to do basic joinery with hand tools. Sharpening and setting up the tools will also be covered.

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October 23-27, 2023

Pilgrim Box

Sometimes called Bible Boxes, these large oak boxes with a till on the inside were used for valuables in the 17th century. Often decorated with repeating patterns of foliate carving done in freshly riven green wood, the parts were then simply nailed together.

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Would you like a custom class at your location?

I can travel to you to teach weekend or week-long classes. Past classes have included a Rococo mirror, piecrust table, lowboy and ball and claw carving, among others. Some classes can be multiple sessions separated by some working time in between for more complex pieces.

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Blog Posts

  • Allan Breed School of Woodworking class

Spring 2019 Woodworking Classes Recap

It’s been a pretty busy year so far in the teaching department. I started out in Williamsburg at the “Working Wood in the 18th Century” symposium with some lecturing and demonstrating on the subject of Rhode Island furniture makers. Had [...]

  • Classroom - Allan Breed School of Woodworking

What’s in a Class?

“I think I’m going to have to drop out of the class. This is way over my head”. This is what two students in a carving class once told me after seeing what the project was for the week. [...]

Allan Breed School of Woodworking
1 Front Street, Rollinsford, NH