Stretcher Making in the Late Sessions

So last night a capacity crowd gathered in the arena that is the Wood Workshop to watch, listen and learn about how to make a stretcher frame and apply a canvas. This session led by Phil was designed, once again, to get the students hands on and interactive with both materials and tools. By the end of the evening each of the students left with their very own canvas ready to go paint. Below are some images taken from the evening.

Phil starts the evening by looking at some examples of stretcher frames. 

Having just got going we all had to go cool down outside as the fire alarm went off!

In the Cutting room to hear about what materials to order.

Phil starts his frame having cut and bevelled the edge. Corner clamps required for this bit. 

With the frame assembled in the clamps the corners are pre drilled ready for screwing. 

First one side, then the other of each corner.

We then gave each student their own frame parts and let them have a go at assembling. 

Too many cooks? Not in this case. Great team work from these three  

The assembly room in full flow as the students got to grips making their frames. 

Next Phil sands down the edges in preparation for the canvas. 

The canvas is laid out upside down. Note the canvas has been cut to allow enough to be pulled up and round onto the back edge. 

Phil starts to staple sections of the canvas. His technique is to start in the middle of each length and work out to the corners.

Next he works on his perfect corners through a series of small pleats and tucks. 

Finally the students got to add the canvas to their earlier made frames. 

Great evening!