Rush Seating a Chair with Natural Water Rush

[@fernmonkey]

Thank you so very much for this tutorial. I used it to do a chair that the cat had been at - it's come out lovely!

[@harryrogers]

Hi Natalie - yes you can harvest the reeds and store them - need to keep the air around them so that they dry out and do not go mouldy. Then when you want to use them, you can soak them as per the film. In the UK I think the rush is harvested in the Summer months ....June - August. Thanks for your comment - I do love the colours and my cat loves the river smell (which is very faint!) Harry

[@harryrogers]

Hi Michal - I'm very pleased the film helps - it was a tricky one to shoot, but I wanted to go into some detail so that people can actually see how to give it a go. It was very relaxing rushing (excuse the pun), and what does not come across in the film is the natural feel of the rush and the smell, so yes do give it a go. I will be doing a Sussex Chair before long, and that has a finer rush. Regards Harry

[@silverriverchairs3686]

Cheers Harry. I have done a bit of rush at a conference, but now I have one for a big client. I appreciate you taking the time to share your #chairnerd experience

[@harryrogers]

Great - see also Sussex Chair part 9 for fine rush work.

[@harryrogers]

Hi Mark - the seagrass can become a bit limp overtime - say 10 years plus - especially if its been put on dry rather than wet. i'm pleased you found the video useful ,and your chairs sound very good. Regards Harry

[@harryrogers]

Hi Jason, surprisingly its fairly soft to the touch, and hands were fine - i thought I might need to wear gloves, but it was fine. I think the fact that its damp probably helps to keep it softer. Regards Harry

[@harryrogers]

Linda - thanks - I will be posting my second attempt shortly. I found it was important to use the rush fairly quickly - within a day or so once soaked - though I may have over soaked it. If you have plenty of rush still unsoaked then I guess you can go back to it - I did my last lot over three days soaking in batches and that seemed to go fine - perhaps other viewers can comment further. Harry

[@harryrogers]

Thanks for that explanation - its good to understand why - thanks for commenting. Regards Harry

[@lindaproudsmith]

I'd divided my rush into two batches because I wouldn't have time to finish it all in a couple of days. Apparently the answer is to wrap the ends in a j-cloth, then soak the j-cloth when you start soaking the next batch of rushes. Looking forward to seeing your second attempt! Linda

[@EsiTo08]

It must have been very tedious but the result is wonderful. I finally know how to do it. Thank you :)

[@harryrogers]

Thanks Linda - that sounds like a good approach that I will bear in mind - I guess the j cloth holds water quite well, so it makes sense. The next rush seating video should be up this Thursday all being well. Harry

[@jonwarwicker3773]

Hi Harry - just been offered some rush via Wimpole group - enjoyed the the film, thanks Jon

[@harryrogers]

+Jon Warwicker Hi Jon - I have also posted a film on fine rush seating...kzbin.info/www/bejne/iqaoYqiggraNpqs ....you cannot beat the proper stuff.

[@dowserdude]

Excellent job, for first attempt,. it looks really lovely...

[@CountrySeatWeavers]

Your video is excellent. It clearly illustrates how to do a natural Rush bottom chair. Now all Seat Weavers' can add another Income Stream to their Chair Caning, & Seat Weaving business "Thanks" to your excellent video..

[@gerdavogel5287]

That’s really a great demo. I have to use fibre rush because we can’t import natural rushes (bio-security) into Australia and I haven’t found native grown rushes. Well, I haven’t actually looked and I’m living in dry bushland, but maybe I will try!

[@harryrogers]

Thanks...the paper fibre rush looks good, and it should work well.

[@bushcraft3606]

Excellent video well done keep up the good work.Colin

[@harryrogers]

BushcraftGTGOD Thanks Colin - pleased to help.

[@svetlanatopal1669]

Excelent.Thanks for the video.

[@momothemuppet]

You are right about seagrass shrinking as it dries but it wasn't put on tight enough to start with. The problem with seagrass is because it grows in a salt water environment it is very hygroscopic and will very easily absorb moisture from the atmosphere. In a very dry environment it will shrink, in a humid one it will swell, and in a very humid one it will go mouldy! :oD It's a cheap seating material, but not an ideal one.

[@harrymason1053]

Excellent job for a first attempt. I can see you are not a pro but you are certainly a very accomplished amateur. Well done, but ... and I think you noticed this, ... watch the appearance as seen from the front or side, not just from the top. It's a little bunched up, but Harry you've done a nice job and I like all of your videos on traditional crafts. I used to be a cabinetmaker (and furniture etc) so I know when things are done right and you always try to show things done right. --from a fellow Harry

[@bethbacellar3187]

Thank you so much!! God bless you!

[@harryrogers]

Thanks Mary all the best Harry

[@HowToHistory]

Excellent. Thank you.

[@Jennerfay1]

Hi there, thanks for you video! I would love to know approximately how many rushes it took to weave the seat. Many thanks!

[@harryrogers]

Hi I think it is roughly 1.5 bolts for a large seat...might manage a small one with a bolt.....its a fair while back but I did two seats with 3 bolts.

[@Jennerfay1]

@@harryrogers Thank you! Not sure how many reeds a 'bolt' consists of... I harvest them myself.

[@lindaproudsmith]

Brilliant first attempt - well done. I did a class in rushing yesterday and learnt that you should pull the muddy bits off the butts before starting. They come off easily.I'm half way through my chair. Do you know how to leave a project for a week? Do I have to keep the ends moist? Or finish it off somehow in order to start again? Thanks. Linda

[@harryrogers]

Thanks

[@nataliejenks3152]

Harry, I think you did a beautiful job on that chair. I love the different colors going through it, I am doing my first when materials arrive. If I harvest reeds now can I soak later?

[@AR-mu4zq]

Lovely! I see part 9 but cannot find part 1-8.

[@harryrogers]

Hi this is a self contained video...no parts?

[@jflemingsandiego]

Harry, I notice that you twist with both your left hand and your right hand. This means, I think, that the strands under the seat are switching twist direction. So the question is, over time, would the seat come loose because the twists gradually untwist?

[@fernmonkey]

I was trying to figure that out, too.

[@joelene_mc2934]

I cut chair flag(Natural Rush)!!! I also cut Butt flag for wine and whisky barrels,today will be my first time attempting to Rush a seat wish me luck!!#swampgirl

[@Frankowillo]

Very interesting. I have a chair that looks like they used paper cord. The one thing you didn't show was what you do with the final end of the rush.

[@harryrogers]

Hi you can just the the end in.

[@MTrekker2001]

This video is what I have been looking for as instruction on natural rush seating. I am making twig chairs and wanted to use native material for authenticity. I was wondering if the sea grass that you replaced was not properly done or is it the nature of sea grass to become limp over time? Thanks

[@donnastauffer5471]

I am wanting to put a new rush seat in a rocker and have done this once many years ago. However, my memory is dim so this video was wonderful. Thanks! However, I have a pressing question - the rocker I now want to put a seat on has arms midway along the sides. How do I handle this? The rocker is sturdily built but the arms do NOT seem removable - which would be the obvious solution. How do I weave a rush seat around these arms? Any suggestions are appreciated.

[@harryrogers]

donna stauffer Donna - this is sort of covered in my film Sussex Chair Part 9 film for more advanced rush seating.

[@jordjosh2]

hi harry thanks for the video.. i want to turn my rush chairs into cushion chairs but dont know where to start..

[@JasonWolf-JW]

Does the rush tear your hands up at all or is it pretty soft?

[@draganmikulinac86]

hello i am looking at your shots and they helped a lot, i wanted to ask you if there is a possibility to make a clip of how to make a hat and slippers of rush or if you have some link to forward me, thanks in advance !!

[@harryrogers]

I am sorry but I do not.

[@dribuk1235]

Brilliant you make it look easy. Could you give me the name of a supplier of the rush please

[@harryrogers]

In the UK you could try Rushmatters - they are on the web.....£25 a bolt plus vat and expensive carriage,

[@momothemuppet]

Hub & I did Cane & rush seating for several years but have now retired. Our son in law would like to learn, but we are struggling to find suppliers of natural untwisted water rush. You were obviously able to find some, can you share the supplier and/or give me any other sources please? PS. Instead of attaching lots of separate lengths of rush, you can fill up the front corners by going around the chair as normal but twice round the front rails until the difference is made up.

[@raymondviskens5733]

Rushes supplier: biezenhof katteststraat,59A 2220 Heist o/d Berg Belgium