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Weave a rush, seagrass or tape seat

Chairs with four round rails around the seat are woven with a cord wrapped corner to corner. Fiber rush looks like traditional cattail rush, seagrass has a green-gold twist, and tape gives a flat woven check.

Time
A day or two per seat
Level
Beginner

What you needHow to weave a fiber rush seat on a ladderback chair

What you need

Everything in one box

Fiber Rush Seat Kit for Ladderback Chairs, 2 lb Coil and TacksThis kit has the main materials and tools for this project.
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Materials
Fiber Rush, 2 lb Coil, 4/32 to 7/32 in, Kraft Brown or WhiteTightly twisted kraft paper fiber rush in 2 lb coils, 4/32 to 7/32 in, for weaving rush seats on chairs and stools with round rails. Brown or white.
Twisted Seagrass Cord, 1 lb Coil, Sizes #0 to #3Natural seagrass twisted into a cord, in full 1 lb coils from #0 (2.25 mm) to #3 (5 mm), for woven chair seats, stool tops, baskets and wrapping.
Shaker Tape for Chair Seats, 100% Cotton, 5/8 in or 1 in, 6 ColorsFlat woven 100% cotton tape for Shaker-style chair and stool seats in checkerboard or herringbone, 5/8 in or 1 in wide, in six colors. Woven dry.
Tools
Upholstery Tacks, Antique Brass, 7/16 in Domed Head, 100 or 500Round domed decorative tacks in an antique brass finish, 7/16 in head, for finishing rush, seagrass and upholstered seat edges and for nailhead trim.
Rubber Mallet for Caning and Upholstery, Mini, 8 oz or 16 ozSmall rubber-headed mallet for tapping reed spline into the groove and driving caning wedges without marking the wood. Mini, 8 oz or 16 oz.
Spring Clamps for Caning and Weaving, 3.5 in Plastic or 6 in MetalSpring clamps with padded tips hold cane, reed, cord and webbing while you weave, and small glue-ups while they set. 3.5 in plastic or 6 in metal.
Optional
Seagrass Seat Weaving Kit, 2 Coils of Twisted Cord with TacksTwo matching coils of twisted natural seagrass cord in #1 or #2, plus 20 upholstery tacks, for weaving one chair seat or stool top by hand.
Fiber Rush 10 lb Reel, 7/32 in, Kraft BrownA 10 lb reel of 7/32 in kraft brown fiber rush for chair shops and sets of chairs. Coarse rush that covers a seat fast and suits larger, rustic chairs.
Seagrass Rush Cord, Pre-Twisted, Large 2.2 lb Coil, 4 to 5 mmOne large 2.2 lb coil of pre-twisted natural seagrass, about 4 to 5 mm thick, for full-size rush-style chair seats and benches where 1 lb runs short.

How it is done

  1. Measure the front and back rails: if the front is wider, fill the corners first.
  2. Tack the end of the cord inside the side rail.
  3. Wrap over and around each rail, corner by corner, keeping the rows square.
  4. Stuff the pockets with cardboard as you go for a firm seat.
  5. Finish in the middle and tuck the end under.

Tip: Rush and seagrass are woven dry. A damp cloth helps fiber rush bend at the corners.

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