How to Weave Corn Husk Chair Seats

Prepare the Husks

• 1

  Gather fresh, long-eared field corn. Peel off the outer husk and discard. Peel up the three inner husks. Use scissors to carefully cut each of the inner husks from the ear of corn. Don't rip the husks off, recommends Boys Life magazine.

• 2

  Trim the narrow ends so each husk is the same width at the top and bottom. Lay husks in direct sunlight until completely dried out. Keep husks dry until you are ready to seat your chair.

• 3

  Soak 20 corn husks in water for at least 60 seconds, says Boys Life. Remove from water, wring out the water, and repeat three more times. Stack dampened corn husks. If husks become dry before use, re-dampen in water.

Weaving a Corn Husk Seat

• 4

  Twist one husk, starting at the end. Twist 1/2 husk length into narrow rope. Lay second husk in un-twisted half of first husk. Twist the two husks together. Lay third husk in un-twisted half of second husk. Twist together. Continue adding one husk at a time until you have a corn husk rope.

• 5

  Place the chair frame in front of you. Label the bottom, left corner 1, bottom right 2, top right 3, and top left 4. Label the bottom, cross-rail A, left rail B, right rail C and top rail D, according to the Michigan State University Cooperative Extension Service.

• 6

  Begin at corner 1. Place the end of the corn-husk-rope over rail A, with the end draping inside the seat frame. Pull the rope over rail A. Wrap it around the outside of the rail, underneath, and up on the inside of the seat frame. Then pull the rope over across the top of rail B, underneath, and up on the inside.

• 7

  Pull the corn husk rope across, along rail A, and over the top of rail C, at the second corner. Wrap it over, under and up on the inside. Then wrap the corn husk rope back across the top of rail A at corner 2, underneath rail A, and up along rail C. Wrap it over rail D at corner 3. Repeat to secure the corn husk rope around corner 3 and corner 4.

• 8

  Repeat Steps 1 and 2, working from the outside of the seat frame to the inside, until the seat is woven completely. You may leave a small square open in the center or weave it closed, based on personal style and design. Twist in extra corn husks to the end of the corn husk rope as needed for extra length. Pull remaining corn husk rope through the woven seat so it hangs underneath the seat. Wrap it around the nearest chair leg and tie off tightly. Trim excess rope, but leave a few inches to keep it from pulling through.