How to Rush Weave a Chair

Divide the rush material into 30-foot sections. Rush is sold in 150 foot lengths so you will have five lengths per coil. Cut the rush with a pair of scissors.

Cut the old rush away from the chair frame with a utility knife. Discard the old rush. Keep any pieces of cardboard you find. Pull any old tacks out of the chair with a pair of pliers. Make any repairs to the chair or refinish the chair before weaving the seat.

Dip one of the 30-foot sections of rush into water for 20 seconds. Tack the end of the rush to the inside left seat rail 1 inch from the front left leg. Because the front of most chairs is wider than the back, the first 10 to 15 sections of weave will be woven on the front corners where the chair is widest. This front weave is only half of the full weave.

Bring the rush up through the center of the chair seat and forward across the front rail so that the rush touches the left front leg post. Take the rush under and up through the center, to the left across the rush and touching the back of the left front leg post, over the left side rail and under. Bring the rush up through the center of the chair seat and across to the right side rail so that the rush touches the back of the right front leg post. Take the rush under and up through the center, to the front across the rush and touching the side of the right front leg post. Bring the rush under and up through the center and to the right side rail. Tack the rush 1 inch from the right front leg. Trim the excess rush. This is half the weave.

Continue the half weave by tacking the next rush 1-1/2 inches from the left front post on the left inside rail. Repeat the pattern in Step 4 and tack off the rush 1-1/2 inches from the right front post on the right inside rail. Continue the half weave until you reach the left back leg and the weave has filled in the wider front sections. Tighten the weave by placing a wood block on the rails and tapping a mallet against the block to push the rush toward the woven corners. The rush should be tight.

Start the full weave by tacking next to the left rear leg post on the inside left rail. Complete Step 4 but do not tack on the right side. Bring the rush up through the center of the seat and across the back rail so that it's tight against the side of the rear right leg post. Take the rush under and up then to the right and over the right side rail, tight against the front of the right rear leg post. Bring the rush under and up through the center of the seat. Take the rush over the left side rail, tight against the front of the left leg post. Bring the rush under and up through the center of the seat and to the back, tight against the left side rear leg post and under. This is the starting point for each weave pattern, the left underside. If you need more rush, tack the rush where it goes over the back rail. Tie the rush together so the knot will be on the left underside of the seat.

Repeat the full weave for another inch. If you found cardboard pieces, cut new ones in the same shape. Otherwise, cut four trapezoid shapes and fit the cardboard between the rush on each side to help strengthen the rush. The exact shape isn't important, just trim the cardboard to fit. Continue weaving until 1 inch of opening remains on the front and back rails.

Weave the center of the last inch in a figure eight pattern. Take the rush to the front and over the front rail then under. Bring the rush to the back and over the back rail then under. Continue until the gap is closed. Tack the rush off to the inside front or back rail and trim off the excess.