What type of seat does my chair have? This page is designed to help you determine what kind of chair seating you have. This information can be very useful when you are requesting an estimate.  You can call us, E-mail us (with pictures of your pieces if available), or fill in the form at the bottom of this page.  All estimates from phone conversations E-mail and pictures are given as general approximations and are non binding.    You will be given a free written estimate when we examine the actual chair.  Formal estimates for insurance and moving companies are $5.  Please call or E+mail us with your questions.  Please note:   If you do not see the type of work you looking for please call or e-mail us.  We do more types of work than shown at this time on this page. Phone (617) 776-0100   ---   E-mail Heather@caningshoppe.com Toll Free Phone (866) 490-SEAT  ---  Fax (866) 258-2543 HAND Caning The cane is woven through holes in the wood one strand at a time.  The edge can have a strip of binding cane which covers the holes and than is either tied down with a small piece of cane, or held by wooden pegs in the holes.  Some hand cane chairs are done BLIND HOLE. In this case the holes do not go all the way through to the other side of the seat or back.    PRESSED (PRE WOVEN) CANE Sheets of pre woven cane are soaked, then pressed and glued in to grooves (channels) in a wood frame.  A  reed spline is then placed in the groove to hold the cane in place. When the seat dries and shrinks it becomes tight enough to sit on.  The cane does not come through the wood on the bottom of the seat frame.    FIBRE RUSH SEATS Fibre rush is made from rolled paper.  It is usually woven around rungs and has lines that meet in the center of the seat.  When woven correctly and finished properly this is a very durable seat.  The rush can be painted or stained.  Since this is a continuous cord, the bottom of the seat is similar to the top of the seat.      Hand Caned stool CLICK ON THE THUMBNAILS PICTURES Pre-woven (pressed) cane seat Fibre (paper) Rush Seat GENUINE CATTAIL RUSH This beautiful seat is woven on fine antiques and well made furniture.  The pattern on the top of the seat looks similar to the fiber rush.  The leaves are rolled and twisted to form the rows of rush.  New seats start out green.  The chlorophyll eventually leaves the material and it turns a straw color.  The seat continues to change to a brown.       The rush on the bottom of the seat is not twisted so it forms flat rows.  The material is knotted in lines that run from the corners of the seats to the middle.  You can see where the tails have been cut .       Bottom of a new cattaile seat Pre-Twisted Rush When woven correctly this imported pre-twisted grass can make a very nice and durable seat.  This is similar to the European method of twisting rush.  This material is often used in modern manufactured chairs but is not woven tightly and does not hold up well.  Our seats will last much longer.  The seat frame to the right has wrapped corners.  Also we have tinted one half the frame with a garnet shellac finish. The Chair in the picture is woven with pre twist. than finished and stained to look old.  We put a thin glue size on our seats to give them a longer life.    Pte-twisted rush seat Pre-Twisted rush seat collered to look old Splint Seats Splints eats are woven around rungs  The seats in these pictures are woven in 5/8" "Flat Reed".  Flat reed is cut from the inner part of of he rattan plant.  When fresh it is white.  It is a relevantly easy material to work with.  It takes stain well.  The seats in the first picture is woven in the herringbone pattern.  There are several patters that can be done.  The second pattern you see is the diamond. Changing the width of the reed or the number of rows you go oven and under in the weave also vary the look of the pattern. Splint seats can be made with other materials such as Ash or Hickory.  Modern splint is machine cut from boards.  Traditional splint is hand split from green logs  The old fashioned splints are the strongest, but can be very tricky to work with.  .  Aged flat reed seat -- Heringbone Flat Reed dimond pattern in progress Flat Reed first coat of stain Danish Cord Danish cord is a high quality braided paper cord which is very durable and beautiful. There are several ways this material is woven.  Double rung on sides:  The chair on the right has been woven in a basket pattern with double rungs on the side.. These chairs take a long time to weave because the material needs to pass through and around the lower seat rail on 2 sides click on the picture for better image   Single rung on nails.. The arm chair to the right is woven around Danish nails. (L shaped hooks).  The weaver can work directly off a coil with out dragging the whole length of cord through each row.   .Click on any picture for larger view Under side of chair with Danish nails.  The chair to the right used the traditional L shaped imported Danish nails.  Some less expensive chairs have staples to the inside of the seat rail.       2 sides of this seat have double rails Danish cord set on single rungs Under side of danish seat woven aon nails This Hans Wagner Wishbone chair is woven with Danish cord in the rush pattern.  This seat takes considerable skill to weave evenly as the braided cord does not form easily to this pattern. This seat is very beautiful and comfortable Hans Wagner Wishbone arm chair WIDE BINDING CANE Wide binding cane is rattan.  It is the same material used to cane chairs but wider.  Binding cane usually comes in 4mm, 5mm, or 6mm.  The "Porch" or "basket" pattern is woven around rungs and is 2 sided.  Top and bottom are identical.  The Herringbone pattern can be woven in groups of 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6.  That is the repeat in the pattern is woven under and over groups of X number of rows.  The larger the number, the wider the pattern.  Variations such as zig zag, or diamonds can also be woven.    Weather proof upholstery This very large heavy porch rocker originally had a hand woven rattan seat and back.  Our customer saved a lot of money by having us upholster it.  There are many excellent weather resistant fabrics available these days.   Wide Binding Porch "basket" pattern Herringbone pattern Once rattan, now water proofe fabric Shaker Tape The seat and back of the chair are done with a very nice American made cotton strapping.  Shaker tape is  woven around rungs with a foam insert for comfort.  This material comes in several colors and in two widths; 1" and 5/8".  You  can use one or 2 colors.  The in the picture to the right  is shown in the checker board pattern.  Shaker tape in the checker board pattern   Rattan & Wicker Repair We will help you evaluate your piece.  Often the wrapping on wicker is an important part of the structure of your chair.  The child's chair shown on the right could hardly stand up by itself when it came to us.  Now with thoughtful use this antique  can be used for another generation. Finishing Touches We can blend the new repairs with the original parts of your piece.  click on the picture for better view.  We do not have the facility to refinish or paint wicker pieces.  Often with painted pieces it is best for you to repaint the entire piece.  Rattan & Wicker repair Staining the cane complets the job Request an estimate We have 3 easy ways for you to get an initial estimate for work you would like us to do. 1.  Directly through the form to the right.  We will respond to you question on the next business day.  Let us know how and when you would like us to contact you.  (Fill in as many fields as you wish, none are required) 2.  E-mail us though the link below.  It is very helpful if you can send some photos along with you message.  It is best when we get a few pictures one or two that show the hole piece from deferent viewpoints and any close-up's of specific damage.   Heather@caningshoppe.com Or 3.  You can call us at (617) 776-0100 First Name Last Name Comments E-mail Address Daytime Phone () - Evening Phone () - Company Name Address Line 1 Address Line 2 City State Zip Code Country