Chair Caning

Email question:

I want to put a new cain seat on my chair. Is their a book or instructions and supplies to do it?. I did see a lot on the site about wicker, but could not find anything on this subject. Thanks for any help. Jim

Email reply:

Hi James

You can find a book, video and supplies for caning on our Cane/Wicker catalog page.

Tom, thanks for the feedback. I am still a little lost on your website. Attached is a picture of the subject chair. I want to cain the seat (about 12 inches round). Where exactly on your site can I find what I need. It seems everything on the site is more focused on wicker furnature for the patio. Please help, I want to buy a book/video and the supplies. Thanks!!! JIM

Hi James

That's a nice looking chair.  The holes mean that you will have to hand weave it.  If it had a groove around the seat you would use pre-woven cane.

The hand weaving isn't difficult once you learn the pattern, it's time consuming and it gets tedious after a while, but it's not necessary to do the job all at one time.

You need to soak the cane in warm water for about 30 minutes before you start weaving.  Leave each piece of cane in the water until you're ready to use it.  If you don't do the job all at one time the cane you've woven will dry and become tight, just turn the chair upside down and put some paper towels on the bottom of the partial cane weaving and wet them.  Let it sit wet for about 30 minutes and it will loosen up again and will be easier to work with.

Here are some direct links to the books and video, bypassing our catalog page.

Caners Handbook
Cane seats for chairs
Chair caning video

The hanks of cane are available from our Wicker and Cane catalog page.

We're proud to be an affiliate of Blick Art Materials