Carol Rocking Chair Project
Sent: Sunday, November 02, 2003 9:38
AM
To: Sharp, Wayne E
Subject: Emailing: DSCF0019 HOW TO
CANE ROCKING CHAIR BACK?
Dear
Wayne,
As you can see by the
enclosed 2 photos, I have refinished this rocking chair and have completed
caning the seat. I am at a loss as to how to cane the back. Can you give me
any hints or instructions that will get me started? There is a curve to the
back of the chair and I'm not sure how to maintain that feature while
caning. Thank you!
Sincerely,|
Carol
Carol,
You did a nice job in refinishing the rocker. It will be beautiful when successfully completed. I know this, because I have almost the exact same rocker (now completed & sitting in my bedroom). I attached a picture of it for your reference (named ROCKER) It is in the banner of page 1 of my caning website.
Check out: http://krypton.mnsu.edu/~wayne/Caning/Bill%20Chair%20Caning/billchaircaningproject.htm
Bill is from
Alaska & used my caning website instructions to successfully re-cane his
grandmother’s curved back rocker. He does a pretty good job in pictures &
words, describing his work.
In his first picture notice that he has a ruler or thin board secured behind
the side rails of the back. On Steps 1 & 3 this ensures that you leave enough
slack in the cane for the cane to make a natural curve. The ruler also helps
to keep steps 2 & 4 running parallel. Leave the ruler in place until step 4
or as long as you can. Start step 4 in the middle by the ruler & work your way
up first, before completing the lower half weaving.
Also in steps 5 & 6, start weaving near the middle of the back (figure out were to start so that the first cane will hit the lower corner hole properly then continue down from there. Complete the upper half next) Watch for the need to “fisheye” this is were you have to skip holes or double holes, so that the caning can run parallel by sight.
The natural curve of the back will come just by allowing slack in the early steps. So avoid the thought of tightening the cane, the tightness will come in steps 4-6.
You are doing a fine job of bringing this rocker back to life. Send me a picture of your completion & also celebrate your success with your favorite refreshment.
11/17/2003
Carol,
What a wonderful job. Congratulations on the successful completion of this project & your quality work. You have indeed brought a rocker back from the dead & turned it into an heirloom.