How many people are there with a lovely old chair in the attic or cellar in need of a little tender loving care? How many chairs are put aside as the seats become worn and unserviceable? Traditional Seat Weaving can restore your treasured chairs to their former glory.

Seats originally hand woven in natural materials come in all shapes and sizes, and can be distinguished between one of the three main types of woven seating, Rattan, Rush and Seagrass. Rattan cane chairs are easily identified, even if the old seat has completely disappeared. The frame will have holes drilled to accommodate the rattan, the inner bark of a jungle creeper from the Far East! The usual 'Six way pattern' weaves the rattan across the seat 6 times and is finished by pegging and beading to cover the holes. The traditional rush seat pattern resembles an envelope in shape and is crafted using common bulrushes, the best coming from East Anglia. And finally Seagrass, the Asian material that most people remember from their schooldays. The check weave was a favourite for children's stools.

Today traditional seat weaving is a rare craft. The weaving of a seat can take several weeks to complete and the natural materials can be costly. And the tools of the trade? Enthusiasm and one pair of nimble but strong hands are the basic tools needed to achieve the intricate patterns of traditional seat weaving.