Practically the entire emphasis is laid upon weaving as applied to some form of seat, either as a decorative feature or as a necessary part of the structure. These materials may be utilized in various ways on varied types and forms of furniture other than seats, a few of which are suggested. Experience with them will lead the worker to new and interesting fields of a distinctly educational nature.
Joliet, Illinois, November, 1916. L. DAY PERRY.
Acknowledgments are hereby made to The Bruce Publishing Co., for permission to re-use the material in Chapters I and II which appeared in _The Industrial Arts Magazine_ in a modified form; to The Periodical Publishing Co., for the photograph shown in the frontispiece; to M. F. Gleason, Joliet, for the sketches shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 8; to T. S. Moore, Joliet, for his cooperation in all the photographic work; and to the instructors in the Joliet Department of Manual Training who have assisted in working out a number of the problems.
Chapter I.--Caning; The Seven Steps 7 Cane 7, 8 Equipment 8, 9 Beginning the Operation 9, 10 The Seven Steps in Caning 10-14
Chapter II.--Caning Suggestions 15 Irregular Areas 17-21 Five-Step Caning 21, 22 The Design Element 22-25
Chapter III.--Reseating a Chair; Hand Caning 26 The Process 27-31 Refinishing 31-33
Chapter IV.--Reseating a Chair; Cane Webbing 34 The Process 35-40
Chapter V.--Rush Seating 41 Historical 41-42 Rush 42-43 Other Materials 43-44 Preparation of Materials 44-46 The Weaving Process 46-49 Rectangular Seats 49-50 Irregular Seats 50-51 Suggestions 51-54 Finish 54
Chapter VI.--Reed and Splint Weaving 55 Primitive Methods 56-57 Bleaching 57-58 Staining 58-59 Other Materials 59-62
Chapter VII.--Seats of Reeds and Splints 63 Indian Splints 72-79 A Rustic Chair 79-80 A Woven Table 81 Willows 81-82
[Illustration: A TYPICAL ALLEY SCENE IN HONG KONG SHOWING NATIVE MEN AND WOMEN SORTING AND STRIPPING RATTAN. _Courtesy, Periodical Publishing Co._]
That caning has not been undertaken to any appreciable extent in school shops is due to the fact that instructors are unfamiliar with the weaving processes. Caning is not difficult. It, in common with many other lines of activity, is best learned thru observation. However, it may be undertaken by the average person after careful study of printed directions and illustrations. If the worker will closely observe his own work as it progresses, and follows instructions carefully, he should have no unusual difficulty in caning an area very acceptably in the initial attempt. Particular attention should be paid to directions which tell of errors to avoid. Errors creep in, in a very unobtrusive manner at times, and the amateur will find them hard to detect.