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Mid Century Modern furniture making class

It’s Spring at NextFab, and that means our acclaimed Maker Series is underway. Among this quarter’s offerings is a standout course that perfectly embodies our mission of combining cutting-edge technology with traditional craftsmanship: Building Furniture: MCM-Inspired Storage Unit with Stewart

Students are about to enter their third class, so we sat down with the instructor, Stewart Everett, to get an inside look at how it’s been going. 

First, the Course Details:

CNC machine at NextFab

The course guides students through designing and building sleek, functional furniture that embodies the clean lines and timeless appeal of Mid-Century Modern design

The comprehensive curriculum includes:

  • Introduction to CAD and advanced 3D modeling in Autodesk Fusion
  • CNC fabrication fundamentals using NextFab’s ShopBot CNC router
  • Precision joinery techniques optimized for plywood construction
  • Digital toolpath creation for accurate manufacturing
  • Professional finishing methods for a polished final product

Students spend five intensive weeks learning the digital design process before moving to the manufacturing phase, where their computer models become reality through CNC machining.

Diverse Students, Common Goals

Into the Maker Series Build an MCM-Inspired Storage Unit with Stewart

What makes Stewart’s class particularly engaging is the diversity of his students’ backgrounds and motivations. In his current cohort of four students, he has:

  • A homeowner renovating an old house who needs custom furniture but lacks the budget for retail MCM pieces
  • A mechanical engineer exploring the intersection of his technical skills and creative expression
  • A climbing gym owner pursuing furniture making as a rewarding hobby
  • A high school woodshop teacher is planning to bring digital fabrication skills to his students

“The students in the class have the furthest apart goals you could think of,” Stewart observes. This diversity creates a dynamic learning environment where different perspectives enhance everyone’s experience.

Exceptional Value in Creative Education

The class has proven incredibly popular, selling out quickly due to its compelling value proposition. Following the success of Hannah’s mid-century modern lounge chair class, Stewart’s storage unit course offers students both education and a tangible reward for their investment.

“Even if you learn nothing, you’ll get a piece of furniture for $700,” Stewart points out. Considering that authentic MCM furniture pieces often cost significantly more, students leave with both new skills and a custom storage unit worth far more than their class investment.

A Gateway to Maker Possibilities

Learning fusion software for CNC

Stewart emphasizes that learning digital fabrication opens up entirely new creative possibilities. 

“Once you start to understand how fabrication works and get that mindset, you start to see opportunities for things that you can make and things you can make better.”

His own journey exemplifies this transformation, from making intricate jewelry to creating 3-foot installations for artists. The skills transfer across materials and scales, scratching “an itch of a different part of the brain” that many people discover they never knew they had.

Looking ahead, Stewart plans to expand the curriculum with follow-up classes that combine CNC work with 3D printing, taking advantage of Fusion 360’s versatility across both manufacturing methods. With 3D printing becoming increasingly accessible and affordable, it’s an ideal time to learn these complementary digital fabrication skills.

The Teaching Philosophy

Stewart’s teaching philosophy stems from his own learning style: project-based, practical education. “Most things I learned were from the need to do it for a project,” he notes. “It’s much easier for me to do a project and learn when I need to do it.” This approach now shapes how he guides his students through the complexities of digital fabrication and furniture design.

His expertise in Fusion 360, a software he taught himself after taking an initial CNC class at NextFab, made him uniquely qualified to develop this comprehensive furniture-making course. When he pitched that NextFab should teach updated 3D modeling software, and they needed an instructor, Stewart stepped up and said, “I know a guy.”

Opening New Possibilities

Stewart’s motivation for teaching extends beyond technical instruction. Having experienced career dissatisfaction himself, he understands the value of creative outlets. He likes the idea of giving people something else, a break from their 9-5, because it was really good for him.

His favorite teaching moments come when concepts click for students. “I like the feeling when something clicks, when students are like ‘oh right I get it,'” he says. In his first class, seeing a student grin and say, “It was kind of fun,” and seeing that he was getting the bug, reminded Stewart why he loves sharing these skills.

Stewart’s Journey From Student to Instructor

Jewelry making in Philadelphia

Stewart’s path to becoming a NextFab instructor is as compelling as the furniture he teaches students to create. A software engineer with over 10 years of experience, Stewart moved to the US from Scotland three years ago. After cycling through multiple tech positions, including one startup that lasted just eight weeks before the founders decided “their idea sucked,” Stewart found himself facing the all-too-common challenge of tech industry burnout.

That’s when he discovered NextFab. What started as jewelry classes (encouraged by his wife, who had studied the craft in university) evolved into something much more significant. When NextFab needed someone who could bridge engineering expertise with creative instruction, Stewart was a natural fit.

Join the NextFab Maker Series

CNC machine in Philadelphia

NextFab’s Maker Series offers a unique two-month program providing up to 5 classes, shop access, and a supportive cohort of fellow makers. Whether you’re looking to refine existing skills, try something completely new, or finally tackle that dream project you’ve been considering, our spring lineup has something for every creative ambition.

Stewart’s MCM-Inspired Storage Unit course exemplifies what makes the Maker Series special: expert instruction, cutting-edge technology, practical skills, and a tangible result you’ll be proud to display in your home or studio.

Ready to discover your own creative renaissance? Check out our Spring Maker Series offerings or join our Maker Series waitlist to be notified when new classes become available.

In Partnership with FORMATION. Media