Making Chair Seats - Ruth B. Comstock

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An attractive chair seat, skillfully woven by hand from natural fibers, can do more than merely enhance interior decor. It can also be a source of pride for its creator.

Now, with this guidebook written by one of the field's best-known experts - a distinguished faculty member of the New York State College of Human Ecology - do-it-yourselfers can master the fine art of weaving and fabricating chair seats, Professor Comstock's easy-to-read book, abundantly illustrated with more than 160 step-by-step photographs and drawings, tells how to make seats from a variety of natural materials. Included are intricate patterns woven from cane; sturdy and attractive seats made from twisted strands of rush, rope, Hong Kong grass and twine; a basket-weave effect created from splints (thin strips of wood); and more.

All aspects of the subject are considered - from selecting materials (including how to gather and dry such fibers as rush), to preparing the chair, equipment needed for various weaving processes, how to warp and weave, and ultimately, ho to finish the seat. Craftworkers looking for a new medium of expression will find this manual an inspirational guide to learning a distinctive craft. Others will want to acquire these skills for their practicality, considering the high costs of professional caning and related techniques.