THE CRAFTS 
WOOD CARVING AND PYROGRAPHY. LEATHER AND METAL. BASKETRY, ETC. 
Under the manageinent of Miss Emily Peacock, 6 Brcvoort Place, Brooklyn, N. Y. All inquiries in regard to the various 
Crafts are to be sent to the above address, but will be answered in the magazine under this head. 
SIMPLE FURNITURE 
VI— HOW TO CANE, RUSH AND PUT LEATHER SEATS 
IN CHAIRS 
Elisabeth Saugslad 
CANED chairs came into use in the latter part of the 17th 
century and were often beautifully and elaborate^ 
carved; and cane, sometimes covered with gold leaf, was often 
used on furniture that was "fine and French." In these days 
it is, I think, used more appropriately in chairs which, though 
they ma^' be light and graceful in style, are without preten- 
sions to elegance. A chair of the style of illustration I looks 
better caned than with any other finish. 
Illustration No. 1. 
The process is a \exy simi3le one, and even the most in- 
tricate patterns do not offer any obstacles bej^ond average in- 
telligence and skill, and as the material is also light, strong 
and inexpensive, there is much to commend it. In illus. 2 
there are a number of suggestions for weaving, and anj^ one 
with a little ingenuity should be able to work out a dozen more. 
Something fresh and unhackneyed would give a chair quite 
another air, 
Cane can be bought at a basket factory or through an 
ol)liging furniture dealer or repairer. It comes in several 
sizes, coarse, medium, fine and line fine, and the choice will be 
regidated by the size of the chair and the ])attcrn. 
Illustration No. 3. 
Probably the easiest position in caning is to sit on a stool 
with the chair to be seated tipped forward on the lap. About 
2 J inches of a strand of cane, which has been made flexible by 
a few minutes soaldng in water, is put down through the centre 
hole at the back and held in place by a small wooden peg, 
several of which must be provided. The long end is carried 
straight across the seat to the corresponding hole in the front 
edge and up through the next hole to the right, where another 
peg is inserted. The strand is then carried back again and 
down through the next hole to the right, there using the first 
peg to hold it. This process is continued to the right edge, 
care being taken not to cover the holes there, and to keep the 
strand flat. Beginning at the centre again the process is re- 
peated till the left side is filled. Diagonal lines are put in 
from corner to corner, working first to one side then to the 
other and weaving over and under according to the design. 
If this is elaborate, requiring many strands, the first ones 
must be left quite loose, this "slack" being taken up in the 
interweaving of the last ones. The ends are fastened under- 
lUustration No. 3. 
