How to Rush a Chair

Step-by-Step Guide

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   Step 1: Use a utility knife to remove the old rush seat.

   Do not to mar the frame of the chair.
   
   Remove any tacks with pliers.
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   Step 2: Cut the rush into lengths of 30 feet (9.144 meters).

   The rush comes in a coil of 100 feet (30.48 meters) or more. ,,,,,, Loop it around the back rail and then around the right rail so it is tight against the back right leg. ,, Knock the rushes tight against each other with a wooden block and hammer.
   
   Install temporary tacks through the last rush on all sides to help prevent them from slipping. , The knot should be positioned under the seat so it is not visible. , Place a temporary tack holding the end of the last piece of rush.
   
   Cut pieces of cardboard into 4 triangles that are nearly as long as the side rails.
   
   Cut off the top corner of each triangle.
   
   Slip the side corners of each triangle into the woven rush near each leg. ,, Place a temporary tack on the side rail and then thread the end of the rush up through the center opening of the seat.
   
   The temporary tack holds the woven part in place while you finish the seat.
   
   Pass the rush over the front rail, up through the center opening, over the back rail and up through the opening again.
   
   Repeat this figure-8 pattern until the front and back rails are filled in. ,
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   Step 3: Dip each rush in a bucket of warm water for 12 seconds

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   Step 4: and then shake off any excess water.

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   Step 5: Tack it to the inside left rail near the front leg (or slightly behind the last tack if you followed the tip for filling in a gap on a trapezoid-shaped seat).

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   Step 6: Wrap it around the front rail and then the left rail so it is tight against the left front chair leg.

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   Step 7: Pull it across the front of the seat.

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   Step 8: Loop it around the right rail and then the front rail so it is tight against the right front chair leg.

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   Step 9: Take the strand to the back rail.

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    Step 10: Cross along the back rail and loop it around the left rail and then the back rail so it is tight against the back left leg.

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    Step 11: Bring it to the front rail and continue the sequence

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    Step 12: moving counterclockwise around the seat

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    Step 13: until you reach the end of the piece of rush.

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    Step 14: Tie another piece of rush to the end with a square knot and trim off the excess.

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    Step 15: Insert corrugated cardboard as padding after weaving approximately 10 times around the perimeter of the seat.

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    Step 16: Remove the temporary tack

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    Step 17: tie on another piece of rush and continue in the same counterclockwise fashion over the cardboard until you completely cover the side rails with rush.

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    Step 18: Change the weaving pattern to a “figure 8” to fill in the rest of the front and back rails.

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    Step 19: Hide the end of the rush by tacking it to the bottom of the front or back rail

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    Step 20: and remove all temporary tacks.

Detailed Guide

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