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Chair seating

Do you have a cherished chair in your home, passed down through your family, with many happy memories attached to it? You can’t bear to throw the chair away, even though it has seen better days and looks worn. Unfortunately, when a chair seat is broken, it loses its strength and can’t simply be patched up. I can help you keep the chair and use it to its full potential by reweaving the chair seat. I can replace rush, cane, willow and seagrass chair seats to keep your beloved chair usable for years.

To give you an accurate quote to fix your chair, you need to know what material was used. We use the term “wicker” to describe woven products rather than the material used to weave them. The images below show the different materials used to weave chairs.

Please note that many older chairs require structural repairs, repainting, or varnishing, which I am not skilled to undertake. Therefore, you will need to complete this work before delivering the chair to me.

woven with harvested or pre-twisted Rush

Rush chair seating

After many years, rush chair seating eventually becomes worn and broken, requiring replacement. Rush can be replaced using either pre-twisted rush or the more time-consuming hand-twisted rush.

Hand-twisted rush is a traditional technique that takes more time and skill, but the results are well worth it. I personally harvest the rush myself, seeing the process through from cutting, drying, and weaving to create a strong, beautiful seat full of character. This method honours centuries of craftsmanship and gives your chair a genuine, lasting finish that you won’t get with pre-twisted rush.

Pre-twisted rush looks the same on the top and bottom since it has been continuously twisted by a machine. In contrast, hand-twisted rush appears different on the underside of the chair because the rush is twisted on the top but not on the bottom.

Costs

Standard dining chair seats are typically around 15 inches by 14 inches. Carver chairs are larger, about 18 inches by 17 inches, and have arms, which adds to the complexity of the work.

Standard dining chair: hand-twisted rush from £180, pre-twisted rush from £110
Large carver chair: hand-twisted rush from £220, pre-twisted rush from £150

Rush chair seating
Pre twisted rush chair seating
6 way woven cane stool
Cane chair seating
Woven using the six way pattern

Cane chair seating

The 6-way weave involves interweaving six layers of cane, making it a time-consuming process. As a quicker alternative, you can use sheet cane. To determine whether you have hand-woven or sheet cane, turn your chair upside down. If you see individual holes around the edge, it is hand-woven cane. Conversely, if there is a continuous groove, it is sheet cane. Currently, I only replace hand-woven cane.

Costs

Up to 100 holes £1.30 per hole
Any holes over 100 £1.50 per hole

A woven with seagrass

Seagrass chair seating

Seagrass is a lovely, hard-wearing material, but sometimes it has been used where rush should have been. When you bring a chair to me, I will advise you on the appropriate material for your chair, allowing you to make an informed decision.

Costs

Square checkerboard stool £45

Seagrass stool chair seating
Whole willow seat
Whole willow chair seating close up
Woven with willow rods

Whole willow seating

Whole willow rod chairs are quite rare, showcasing a variety of willow weaving skills such as scalloms, cranking, and skeining. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to reweave one of these unique chairs. If you would like me to reweave your willow chair, please get in touch.

Costs

£170

I hope you have found this information helpful. If you would like to proceed with a replacement of a chair seat then please email an image of the chair and I can give you a quote.