willow bench instructions

[thifasmom]

Hi I'm posting this as instructions were requested in another thread.

i got these instructions from the following book Living Willow Sculpture written by Jon Warnes.
i became interested in this after seeing ads for willow bench building classes, which were all booked or too expensive, while doing the search i came across this book which had instructions for making a chair with willow so i bought the book and the willow whips and saved myself about 100 quid ;D. my uprights weren't made with willow but with hazel branches from a felled tree at the back of my garden. i also wanted a really strong seat for at least 2 people so also used the hazel branches to create the slats for the seat.

goodluck to anyone wanting to make one its really easy to make but you'll have to do it between now and beginning of March as after early March fresh willow whips are hard to come by.

here are the instructions, if you click on each picture they will go to full screen and the words will be clearer.

http://s280.photobucket.com/albums/kk187/thifasmom/willow%20bench%20instructions/?action=view&current=img132.jpg

[thifasmom]

[ceres]

The end result is so pretty!  We have a woven willow fedge on our site around the toilet but it doens't look as good as the bench.

[thifasmom]

it does make a pretty addition to the garden.

here is another idea which i have been planning to do since i made the bench back in 2007. i have all the material i just haven't got around to doing it but i plan to make it a half seat instead of right around my apple tree. ah well may be this year i will get around to it ::) :).

http://www.gardenworld.co.uk/project-willow.asp

[ceres]

That's brilliant!  Remember to post photos when you do it.  :)

[tonybloke]

I've seen a couple of these, you always get a wet arse when sitting on them!! ;D ;D ;D

[shirlton]

Thanks for the instructions, Will give Tony something to do when its quiet LOL

[thifasmom]

I've seen a couple of these, you always get a wet arse when sitting on them!! ;D ;D ;D

how they heck did you get a wet arse do you go into the garden and sit in the rain ??? you must be a really serious gardener ;).

[tonybloke]

to keep the grass growing in a raised bed / seat, they need plenty of water!! ;)
(I wasn't refering to your wonderful willow seat, but the other one you linked to!!)

[thifasmom]

to keep the grass growing in a raised bed / seat, they need plenty of water!! ;)
(I wasn't refering to your wonderful willow seat, but the other one you linked to!!)

ah i see what you mean. yes i think the link even mentions layering a soak pipe to aid watering (or i may have read that somewhere else). i suppose i'll to use a cushion ;) :).

[vitaw]

I just love willow; have taken a few small twigs/branches & put in water to root then planted & now they are adorning the little back garden we share with others. There's also what I think people are calling a willow 'fedge' (new one to me) locally near the sea-side--don't know who did it, when or why, but it's so nice.  I'll try to post some photos of these in my Gallery.

[thifasmom]

Hi everyone i did promise to post a photo when it was in full growth (the pictures don't do it justice). the branches had grown in all direction as the generally do, so i did a bit more shaping to it on Friday to open up the seating area. now its perfect for sitting and reading etc even when the sun is beating down as it comes with its own built in canopy ;).

[1066]

Well done Thifasmom it looks fantastic you must be chuffed!
and as you say a lovely cool spot to sit and ponder......

[betula]

That is lovely ;D

[shirlton]

I have about 6 willow cuttings going at the moment. Just waiting for ower Tone to make the bench

[thifasmom]

thanks guys, the main satisfaction i get from it is knowing i did it myself and most importantly its not a rickety structure ;) :D like most things i build.

Shirl don't forget to post piccies when its constructed.