Rocking Chair Gets New Caned Seat

Rocking Chair
After

Rocking Chair
Before

Another broken seat in need of repair. I think they should declare March "National Caning Month," because this is the second cane repair chair I have completed this month. The other rocker was published just last week. These two came to me from Pleasant Ridge from a referral from a friend who lives there and replied to a couple of women who wanted to find someone who does caning. I much appreciate getting referrals, as I imagine they do as well since I know there are not many people who offer caning services anymore.  

This rocking chair was made of maple and was in very good condition otherwise, except for the broken seat. When caning become brittle as it ages, it is easier to damage, so the seats tend to go first. This was a hand woven caning job, also known as strand caning. It takes considerably longer than press-in caning, which comes in a sheet and is secured with a spline on a groove which is cut into the seat's perimeter. 

I received two of press in style cane chairs over the weekend and will be working on those this week as soon as the materials come on Wednesday. In a way I prefer the strand (woven) caning to the press in caning method. It is a process that can be relaxing once you get a flow and follow the weave carefully. This one turned out great. What a difference a new caned seat makes in the overall appearance of a chair.