Only 2 rather crude drawings exist from that era, making it a challenge to translate it to paper and draw out a plan. I spend a good deal of time studying similar pieces of furniture, sketching and calculating. Also useful was methodically examining the few pictures (and sparse measurements) of it, that antique dealers have put on the net. It all helped me to come up with a good woodworking plan.
I've used dental floss (which is flat just like wicker) and gradually went down in hole distance to see what would work best, in combination with the floss. Ordinary thread just doesn't look right to be wicker but I was worried the floss would be too wide. And to me it feels it is, just a little. The smallest hole distance in this test comes closest to wicker in scale, but it could even be smaller, if i wasn't limited by the size of the floss. To prevent it from blocking all up i settled for what it looks like now:
The other day I've started on the actual build… and above is the first piece of many more to come.
Hope you enjoyed reading. Maybe you wonder what it actually will going to be. Or perhaps you've figured it out already?
Oh Debora! This is going to be wonderful. I love the look of cane in furniture. You have done it beautifully. I can't wait to see more.
ReplyDeleteWow the caning came out perfect! This is exciting, I love following the progress :)
ReplyDeleteHi Debora, your first attempt for caning is just perfect. I would never have thought of dental floss! Aboout your new piece of furniture, since you're making hinges, it's mobile...What about a folding chair or a folding camp bed? I can't wait to see more pictures. Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeletePatrick in Thailand
This idea is awesome and I love what you've done!!! You know, the dental floss is made up of monofilament fibres, you could try splitting it. Put a pin through the floss and gently draw the floss through and you might be able to go smaller.
ReplyDeleteЗдравствуйте , Дебора!
ReplyDeleteЯ получаю истинное наслаждение, читая Ваши посты! Вы гений!
Татьяна
A Regency folding stepladder chair, since I have seen quite a few on the net I didn't realize they were that scarce. Hmm, I have to say, I have two small stepladders and I never feel safe on them either, I have always had my doubts about the chairs, now you have confirmed it. That being said, I have always planned to make one in mini too, a great conversation piece as you said. Dental floss, I would have never guessed, it looks great!
ReplyDeleteYes, we'll spotted Elga, a recency library chair. The bulk you see offered by dealers look like later reproductions to me. I'm going for one of the earliest, made by Morgan & Sanders.
DeleteI know they feel uncomfortable to step onto, lacking something like the railing that Thomas Sheraton considarately added on his metamorphic library table. Did you know that an original table of his, made by John Cobb sold through Christie's for almost 150.000 dollar? Cool project to build too ;)
Nope, I didn't see the table, I guess you must have found the pdf written by Clive Taylor on the chairs and some other furniture, fascinating reading.
DeleteHOO merci Déborah , depuis le temps que je cherchais comment faire le "cannage" en fil de soie dentaire .
ReplyDeleteAha, a folding stepladder chair. Those are such fun. But why dangerous? I have one in miniature in my library, but it is so ugly. The 'caning' is just a piece of embroidery fabric. Awful. No I did not make it myself. My own attempt at caning many years ago stems from my frustration with that ugly chair. My attempt at caning ended when my needle holding the thread was too big to feed the floss through the holes, then something else got my attention and I never continued. No focus whatsoever ;-)
ReplyDeleteYour trials look really good and I look forward to follow along with your progress on this project.
Sorry bout your frustration Josje. It can be a force to drive you to tackle stuff, but i'm sorry it didn't work out. I've run into the same issue here too; the needle limiteds the size hole you need as well. I think i'll make another test with just thread and a smaller needle…
DeleteAnd why dangerous? Well, it was a dual purpose piece of furniture so some were put on casters to move around the library in an easy manner. I think i understand how casters under a stepladder could make you feel unease. Most important; the construction of the piece did't allow for rough handling either. The hind legs were prone to suffer because they are set an angle and not supported by multiple joints. Imagine standing on the top step, reaching out for a high placed book and then feeling it start to wobble… or even break under your feet? Brrr…
Always finding perfection. ;)
ReplyDeleteIt looks great. Caning is on my bucket list! I will be looking for the finished project. Great photos too!
ReplyDeleteOoooooo love it already!
ReplyDeleteJ'ai vraiment hâte de voir le résultat !!
ReplyDeleteComme d'habitude , je ne comprends pas du tout ou vous aller mais je sais que je vais le découvrir petit a petit grâce à vos photos . Je trouve le résultat avec le fil dentaire magnifique . Je suis entrain de refaire le cannage de trés vielles chaises mais à l'échelle 1 . C'est très Long . Je n'aurais jamais eu l'idée de reproduire cela au 1/12 . C'est magnifique .
ReplyDeletenou, dat vlechtwerk alleen al ziet er spectaculair uit! je maakt het jezelf weer niet gemakkelijk; maar wel weer een superleuk project, ben erg benieuwd...
ReplyDeletegroetjes
Gee
Ha quedado fenomenal.
ReplyDeleteDat wordt weer een heel bijzonder projekt! Prachtig die caning.
ReplyDeleteHeb je de dental floss gekleurd? Moeilijk te zien op mijn computer. Ik dacht dat het van een soort plastic is gemaakt en dat neemt vaak weinig kleur aan?
Groetjes, Idske
Hello Debora,
ReplyDeleteThe caning is just beautiful and looks to scale in the picture. I cannot wait to see your next creation.
Big hug,
Giac
Thank you all for your responses! I'll post asap about what it will be all about :)
ReplyDeleteYou are doing a nice job. You can get a smaller floss than what you are using.
ReplyDeletewilliamsdentalsupply.com Johnson and Johnson, extra fine waxed.
I remember a decade ago having a discussion with Fred Sobel about the real caning he was doing on miniature chairs. It was very amazing to see at that scale.
Well Karin, thank you for thinking along! Funny you should mention this. Actually i've not settled for the scale of caning, because i've had a very educational exchange via the mail with Francisco from Miniarquitect. He makes the cutes little bistro chairs. Given his insight and that a cane is approx. 2 - 2.5 mm i'm inclined to conclude that even small floss will be to thick in scale. My only objection to thread is the fraise it shows. Not many will see it but i'm very near sighted and pick up more detail then is good for me :)
DeleteHe uses thread and has a method including glue to take down the fraise, but I've wondered if a waxed thread, such as bookbinders thread or a quilting thread can make up for the fluffy look i want to avoid. He was so kind to do a test piece and my conclusion is this; the proper scale in combination with a thinner waxed thread combines the best of both. Little to no fraise ánd in scale.
It is easy enough to wax your own thread with beeswax. Just draw it through the wax. Then run it through your fingers a few times. The warmth of your fingers and the friction will smooth out the wax.
DeleteOh I forgot to mention, the beeswax will help give that bit of golden glow and gloss that real reeds have.
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