How to Repair Woven Furniture

Wicker Furniture Repair

• 1

  Take a picture of the original weave on the chair. An instant camera is the best type for immediate, close-up pictures.

• 2

  Soak the need rattan reeds in warm water until they are pliable. This will take about 20 minutes.

• 3

  Remove the broken reeds from the chair. Place droplets of white vinegar on the ends of the broken reeds with an eyedropper. This will loosen the glue keeping the reeds in place. Allow the vinegar to work for 10 minutes or until the reeds are movable. Pull the reeds out with needle-nose pliers.

• 4

  Place wood glue on the frame of the chair where the new reeds are needed.

• 5

  Attach one end of the new reed into the open space with a small furniture tack and a hammer. Weave the reed as shown in the instant camera picture and tack the other end into its place. Continue until the chair is repaired. Allow the reeds and glue to dry and settle before using the chair. This usually takes 24 hours.

Folding Lawn Chair Repair

• 6

  Remove the broken webbing and the grommet holding the webbing ends with a screwdriver and needle-nose pliers.

• 7

  Cut replacement strips of the same length as the frayed strips with scissors. If the old strips are broken and cannot be used to measure; fold 1/2-inch of the end of the new fiber and hold it on one side of the chair. Pull the roll of polypropylene fiber over to the opposite side of the chair and wrap it around the side once. Cut the fiber at the place where it touches itself. Use this strip length to measure for the rest of the chair.

• 8

  Fold the ends of the fiber strip to create a point. Fold each end corner in toward the center.

• 9

  Place the point of one end over the first grommet hole. The point will attach to the chair on the inside, while the strip will then go around the back of the bar and stretch to the other side of the seat on the front. Attach the grommet through the point of the strip using a grommet awl and hammer.

• 10

  Stretch the strip around the front of the metal bars and wrap the other end of the fabric around the bar. The point is attached to the bar with a second grommet using the awl and hammer.

• 11

  Replace all loose or frayed strips using the same manner until the chair is completely repaired.