How to Reseat Splint Chairs

Old chairs may last a long time without any major repairs to their frames. But the chair seats made out of cane or splint often need replacing after 25 or more years of use. The process requires a lot of patience, but you can successfully reseat your own splint chairs rather than send then out to a furniture repair shop for repairs.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1½ to 2 lbs. of Hong Kong grass per seat
• Damp cloth
• Corn husks for padding
• Clear varnish

1. Mark the four corners of the chair as "1," "2," "3" and "4." Label each of the rails "A," "B," "C" and "D." As you look down on the chair Corner 1 should be in the lower left corner, Corner 2 in the lower right, Corner 3 in the upper right and Corner 4 in the upper left. Rail A should be closest to you, Rail B should be on the left, Rail C on the right and Rail D on the top.

2. Dampen the grass, but don't soak it. Wrap it in a damp cloth to keep it pliable.

3. Begin at Corner 1. Lay a strand of grass over Rail A. Hold the short end under the chair until you make a complete circuit with the splint then tuck it in. Pull the strand over Rail A then under it. Pull it up on the inside.

4. Pull the strand to Rail B. Pull it across Rail B then under Rail B. Pull the strand across the seat to Rail C. Cross Rail C, and then go under Rail C. Go across Rail A again, and then go across the seat to Rail D. Go over it and under it, and then pass the splint over and under Rail C. Cross the seat to go over Rail B and under Rail B. Pass the splint around Rail D and come back to the start at the top of Rail A.

5. Repeat Steps 3 and 4 until the chair is complete. As you go, stuff corn husks into the weaving to add fullness to the chair seat.

6. Weave the grass as tightly as possible. Join ends with a figure-8 knot.

7. Finish the chair seat with clear varnish. Let dry. Complete other chairs in the same manner.

Tips & Warnings

• You can experiment with other patterns. The process is the same.

Resources

• Find sample weaving patterns here.

[WickerWoman]

on 7/7/2008 Sorry there Willi, but you are mixing your terms and materials concerning this "Reseat Splint Chairs" article. Splint is a flat material of either oak, ash, hickory bark or reed and is not "Hong Kong grass" as referred to in the materials list and in step #2. Hong Kong grass or Oriental seagrass is a different material altogether. It's round and more like a rope made out of grass and is twisted so it looks like rope, it is not flat as a splint is.
The Wicker Woman-Cathryn Peters http://www.WickerWoman.com