KERAMIC STUDIO 
281 
neath by drawing them twice through the next loop and creas- 
ing them fiat, as in A illus. 3. The top is finished by a strand 
laid over the holes and caught in place by another strand 
brought from below over it and down again through the same 
hole, as in B illus. 3. 
Twisted rushes make the most attractive of seats which 
are particularly adapted to simple chairs, whether large or 
small; and are strong, durable aiid picturesque. The principle 
of weaving is simplicitj^ itself, but it requires strong hands and 
much patience to make a perfect seat, and it is slow work. 
Illustration No. 4. 
Imported or domestic rush can probably be gotten most 
easily through a furniture dealer or repairer, or it can be gath- 
ered from the swamps. It is the common bulrush, or cattail, 
and should be harvested in August when the tips begin to 
turn brown. It must be cured in a dry, rather dark place 
with a circulation of air. When thoroughlj^ dry it can be tied 
in bundles and stored away in an attic corner. 
Illus. 4, 5 and 6 show several kinds of frames which may 
be used, the chief point to observe is that they must be rounded 
on the edges or thev will eventually cut the rush. 
The rush must be thoroughh^ dampened before using so 
that it will be fiexible, that it may be tightly twisted and bent 
over the edges without breaking. If too wet it will shrink in 
diying, leaving wide spaces between the strands and the strands 
themselves uneven and rough. Only experience and practice 
can tell just the proper degree. A good way to dampen it is to 
roll it in a coarse, heavy cloth, like burlap or old bags that have 
been well soaked, and leave it at least 12 hours. 
Illustration No. 5. 
As rush varies greatly in width, as many leaves or blades 
nuist be twisted together as will make a strand the desired size, 
which may be only a single one for very fine work in a small, 
light chair, or enough to make a twist nearly as large as the 
little finger in one that is verj?- large and heavy. The size 
having been decided, the ends of the strands are held against 
the side of the frame as at A illus. 6, which shows the manner 
of weaving very loose and open that the course of the strand 
Illustration No. 6. 
may be followed. The twist is firm and close on top and over 
the edges of the frame, but underneath it is only enough to 
keep the loose ends from straying. New leaves are added at 
the comers as the3^ are requii-ed to keep the strand of' even 
thickness, the stub end being inserted and held by the twist 
against the next strand until the loop comes around again and 
