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Orders & Returns   Basket Weaving   Seat Weaving

Seat Weaving

Can I weave a chair seat myself?
Seat weaving is a relatively easy craft. It really only takes time and patience, while we can offer all the material and instruction you need.

If I choose not to do the weaving, can you repair my project?
We offer a full service seat weaving repair and restoration on all chair products. Prices are shown in our home-dˇcor section and then the repair and restoration link.

How do I know what material to order for my chair seat?
There are 3 style chairs made to repair a seat. A chair seat with holes around the perimeter accepts strand cane. A chair seat with a groove around the perimeter accepts cane webbing. A chair seat with 4 dowel rail rungs accepts binder cane, ash splints, flat, flat oval reeds, fiber rush, natural rush and Shaker tapes.

Can I send you a sample of the material used in my seat?
Yes, we recommend if unsure to mail a piece/sample of the product you are trying to match. An emailed attachment with dimensions may also suffice.

What is the difference between cane and reed?
Both products come from the rattan plant. Cane is cut from the skin or peel of the vine, while reed is made from the core of the rattan plant.

How do I determine can size for strand cane weaving?
With out a sample or use of a caning gauge, the most important requirement in cane size determination is the center to center measurement of the drilled out holes. The distance from the center of one hole, to the center of the hole next to it determines your cane size. For example:

Center/Center	Cane Size
1/4"	Carriage Fine
3/8"	Superfine
1/2"	Fine Fine
5/8"	Fine
3/4" (small hole)	Narrow Medium
3/4"	Medium
7/8"	Common

On a four rung rail chair seat, what is the most durable material to use?
On a chair or rocker that is used outdoors (porch), binder cane is the most durable. Sealed splint and reed seat work well too.

Do you recommend sealing the finished chair seat with anything?
Yes we do, both indoor seats as well as outdoor. For any cane products, we suggest an oil based stain (Perkins blending stain or Zar stain) as well as a clear finish (tung oil, inseed oil or polyurethane). For a fiber rush paper seat, we highly suggest shellac. This is also recommended for natural rush (pretwisted or cattail). Splint woven chair seats again should be oil base stained (optional) and then sealed with a polyurethane or tung oil solution.

What is the difference between fiber rush and natural rush?
Fiber rush is a twisted paper craft cord made to resemble antique natural rush. Natural rush is a genuine cattail leaf that must be soaked in water, twisted in to a strand and then woven. Pretwisted natural rush is also now available. This is an imported natural rush (indigenous to the Far East) already twisted in to a strand and ready for weaving.

What are the most popular fiber rush sizes?
If you are not matching any sizes, we recommend a 5/32" or 6/32" size in the kraft brown (shopping bag) color.

Do I need to soak material in water before weaving?
Yes you do. For strand cane, soak each strand 15 minutes in water. For cane webbing, soak the webbing for four hours before using. With reeds, and binder cane soak for 15 minutes per strand. Cattail natural rush should be soaked overnight. Fiber rush and pretwisted natural rush should not be soaked but only misted with water if needed.

How do I know what cane webbing mesh pattern I have in my chair?
There are seven cane webbing meshes available. Fine 1/2" open mesh is the most popular mesh used in the majority of chair seats and backs. We recommend this mesh unless you have to match other chairs or prefer a bigger or smaller mesh. Either send us a sample or match the pattern in our catalog or website.

Is it feasible to repair an antique wicker piece and can I do it?
Repairing wicker is no more than imitating an exact weave that is on the piece. Just matching the material and the weave will rejuvenate an antique heirloom for life. Antique pieces for the most part are worth repairing. A piece that has been in the family for years and the framework still in tact should be worth the expense to keep the family heritage going.