Both are True:
Traditional Caned Chairs are really beautiful
and they make really poor step ladders.
It all begins with a reflex -
- “Let me use this (caned chair)… to reach that” - Not recommended, but it happens.
Once your foot goes through, now what?
7 steps make all the difference.
After cleaning, regluing any loose joint, any intended refinishing: Step 1. Front to back single strand of cane, starting in center-back of seat; each hole gets a single pass. Fix joints and finish first. Caning a loose wobbly chair is a waste of resources.
Step 2. Left to right, starting in the back, horizontal cane strips OVER the vertical set. Each hole a single pass.
Step 3. Next, a second vertical set OVER the last two previous. Then the 4th step, (just under way here) is a weave horizontally, over left, under right of each vertical pair.
Step 4. The second horizontal pass. Weave: over/under each vertical pair
Step 4 shown here nearly complete. lastly, strand pairs need to be adjusted to parallel, straight and as close to each other as possible. Consistency is key.
Step 5. Right to Left diagonal weave - OVER horizontal/UNDER vertical pairs at each Horizontal/Vertical pair intersection. This creates one side of the signature octagonal circle
Step 5 close up of the weave pattern. To look right, the diagonals MUST be straight and parallel.
Step 5. Final effort is to ensure all lines are straight and parallel. While cane is damp, nudging the alignment is pretty easy, but nearly impossible once dry.
Step 6. Repeat the process Left to Right diagonals: this time reverse the previous step - Under horizontal /Over vertical
Step 6 Close up of the weave. This step closes up the signature circle. This step includes adjusting all lines parallel, straight and as close as possible - ensuring circles are symmetrical and uniform. Last chance to straighten out defects.
Completed step 6
Step 7. Edge binding cane application is the last step - a wider piece comes with 1 bundle of cane stock and finer tie cane. The process is simple: up each hole and back down, jumping to the next hole - pulling the binder flat. Result - Holes are covered and the edge is tidy. Wooden plugs are used to close up and secure start/stop holes.
Step 7. Complete, only the corner wood plugs are missing. I didn't have any while I'm out of town. I'll use walnut plugs for this project once back at the shop.