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Make It Easy:  chair back help!  |
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Carolinagirl
True Blue Farmgirl
486 Posts
Kim
Rutherfordton
NC
USA
486 Posts |
 Posted - Oct 02 2006 : 06:00:37 AM
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Yesterday I "recycled" a great rocker from the dump. The dumpter attendant even hauled it out of the bin for me! It's a classic old porch rocker, still rocks good- just needs some love and a paint job.
Anyway, Husband Dear said the caning on the back of the chair needs to be replaced. I'm not interested in paying big money to have that done (what good is free if I have to pay to do stuff to it?), so I'm thinking of other alternatives. Any ideas? One idea I thought of is to stretch some sort of canvas or fabric as the back. Not sure how to do it though...
Any ideas or help would be appreciated!
Kim in NC
PS- I also hauled home a dresser for DD#@. It's nothing fancy, just one of those faux french provencial creamy white things. But it's big, and in great condition, and it will look marvelous after I get done painting it! |
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sunshine
True Blue Farmgirl
4877 Posts
Wendy
Utah
USA
4877 Posts |
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katie-ell
True Blue Farmgirl
1818 Posts
Katie
Illinois
1818 Posts |
Posted - Oct 02 2006 : 07:01:18 AM
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Is the back curved? Otherwise could you take a piece of plywood, cut to fit, and then pad the front. Attach to chair and then upholster front and back (or paint back, upholster front).
I love the dresser -- after the paint it will look wonderful -- and probably so much more solid than what is economically available now. Good for you!
Oh, or if the caning is at least presentable from the back, what about making a back cushion for it -- with ties to tie top and bottom -- to make it look great from the front and add comfort as well? |
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babs
True Blue Farmgirl
226 Posts
Babette
MN
USA
226 Posts |
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Duchess
True Blue Farmgirl
109 Posts
Iowa
USA
109 Posts |
Posted - Oct 03 2006 : 07:30:14 AM
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I just saw on t.v. someone makeing a footstool and using cornhusks to cane ? the middle. It didn't look all that hard, I bet if you googled how to cane a chair you might find some directions. Just a thought. Barbara
PS I would love to check out your dump, it sounds great!! |
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Tina Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
6948 Posts
Tina
sunshine state
FL
USA
6948 Posts |
Posted - Oct 03 2006 : 07:44:58 AM
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the book "Country Wisdom and Know How" has instructions for cane weaving..just in case you own the book and forgot.
~Seize the Day! Live, Love, Laugh~ |
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MaryJane
Queen Bee
16393 Posts
MaryJane
Moscow
Idaho
USA
16393 Posts |
Posted - Oct 03 2006 : 07:53:19 AM
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| I'll post a photo today of how I "cane" old chairs using twine. It's very farmgirlish and doesn't cost more than a buck or two. And it's a "dun'n'did for nothin'" project if you already have some tacks and twine on hand...items a true-blue farmgirl carries around in her apron most days! |
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Carolinagirl
True Blue Farmgirl
486 Posts
Kim
Rutherfordton
NC
USA
486 Posts |
Posted - Oct 03 2006 : 6:20:49 PM
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Yippeee! Among the wonderful advice from my fellow farmgals, I find a response from MaryJane!
Y'all, I appreciate all the suggestions. I bookmarked the rughooking site (another on the things I'd like to do one day list), and will look for the book Tina. MaryJane, I'd love to see your FarmGirl chair fixin' method. The old rocker just needs some love, that's all. I'm sure glad y'all are around to give me some ideas.
Kim in NC |
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Carol
Moderator/MaryJane's Design Diva
452 Posts
Carol
Moscow
Idaho
USA
452 Posts |
Posted - Oct 04 2006 : 4:23:09 PM
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Hi everyone! Sorry we're late with the photo MaryJane promised you, but our server was down, which required a couple of computer technicians from town to spend the morning at the farm, and left us at the mercy of our computers!
Here are two photos that will give you a good idea of how to proceed. MJ says common twine works, but these days, there are some nice, new twines made out of hemp and bamboo that work even better.
 
Thanks!
Carol
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berries
True Blue Farmgirl
475 Posts
gloria g
Florida
USA
475 Posts |
Posted - Oct 04 2006 : 4:40:17 PM
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Hi Kim, you could also use fabric/wool/denim/and rope! You could also go around the sides of the back with a simple over/under/over/under. Just like MaryJanes twine! Nice job Queen Bee!
love, hugs, and strawberries, gloria g. Richards, TX
strawberry fields forever and ever! |
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sunshine
True Blue Farmgirl
4877 Posts
Wendy
Utah
USA
4877 Posts |
Posted - Oct 04 2006 : 5:08:55 PM
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Kim if you could post a picture.
I would be happy to give some ideas that would work with your chair.
I have done a few chairs ( two big wing backs) one victorian carved chair, two chairs similar to carols picture in the way there is a hole that is similar. The front and back seat of my sisters vw wish I had pictures of that now as it no longer belongs to the family. A rocking chair. So I have done quiet a few styles and have books to referance on style sI haven't done.
have a lovely day and may God bless you and keep you safe
my web store www.sunshines.etsy.com my other web store http://vintagethreads.etsy.com/
my blog http://sunshinescreations.blogspot.com/ my google page http://sunshine.harbaugh.googlepages.com/home |
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Carolinagirl
True Blue Farmgirl
486 Posts
Kim
Rutherfordton
NC
USA
486 Posts |
Posted - Oct 04 2006 : 5:21:39 PM
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Thanks for the pictures!
Sunshine, I'll try to get a picture tomorrow and post it (have to do it in the afternoon since internet ties up the phone line during school hours).
Also, I unloaded my dresser tonight, so post a picture of it, before I start work on it.
Kim in NC |
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sunshine
True Blue Farmgirl
4877 Posts
Wendy
Utah
USA
4877 Posts |
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Mumof3
True Blue Farmgirl
3890 Posts
Karin
Ellenwood
GA
USA
3890 Posts |
Posted - Oct 04 2006 : 6:19:46 PM
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Kim- You can also use the burlap strapping that they use underneath upholstery to weave through the back. It' super cheap and easy to weave. Plus, it's very in vogue right now! Also, there is a type of tape that the Shakers use that comes in colors (mostly blue, black, red and cream) that can be woven on the back.
I love MaryJane's string caning! Very cute!!
Good luck with your new project!!
Karin |
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Libbie
Farmgirl Connection Cultivator
3579 Posts
Anne E.
Elsinore
Utah
USA
3579 Posts |
Posted - Oct 06 2006 : 9:44:05 PM
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That twine "caning" is so cool! I have a couple of chairs that really could use it - and it looks like a fairly "clean" project - one that I can bring inside in the winter and do by the fire. Thanks for the idea and the instruction!
XOXO, Libbie
"Nothing is worth more than this day." - Goethe |
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BarefootGoatGirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1495 Posts
Corrine
North Carolina
USA
1495 Posts |
Posted - Oct 07 2006 : 10:21:17 AM
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I have 3 chairs that could use this treatment. Thanks, Mary Jane! I think I'll do each of them diffrent...one with wool, one with twine, and one with brulap.
Trina
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Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds. Proverbs 27:23 |
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sunshine
True Blue Farmgirl
4877 Posts
Wendy
Utah
USA
4877 Posts |
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Alaska farm girl
True Blue Farmgirl
123 Posts
dorothy
skagway
Alaska
USA
123 Posts |
Posted - Feb 19 2007 : 09:22:37 AM
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Van Dykes Restorers has all the supplies for recaning chairs.I did a seat years ago.It was an evening,(or many) job(no distractions)! Look around the edges of the open,to-be-repaired area,if it has holes,thats where the caning goes through the framework.
I just love "dumpster diving"! New or already refinished furniture doesn't interest me,only old,in need of attention and affection,does that spark an interest! I guess that includes old houses and animals too! |
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Make It Easy: chair back help! |
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chair back help!
