A cozy, spacious gazebo is an integral attribute of a country house. However, it is not the only thing that makes life more comfortable and easier. Today we will talk about rocking chairs. Products made from wicker will fit perfectly into the interior and help you relax in nature. Relaxation in the garden is always wonderful. But if you add it with a little rocking in your chair, you can truly relax and take a nap. After sitting for a long time on a regular sofa, you may experience discomfort in your back and legs. A rocking wicker chair allows you to stretch your muscles without even getting up from it. You can sit in your favorite chair for hours, combining a pleasant rest with drinking tea, knitting or reading an interesting book.
By the way, it is not necessary to buy rocking chairs. You can weave such furniture yourself. You will need a rod, a minimal set of tools, and a little skill. This article will look at the best ways to make a wicker chair with your own hands.
Advantages and disadvantages of wicker structures
Before we get started, let's consider the positive and negative aspects of such furniture. Let us immediately note that it has many more advantages:
- Environmentally friendly.
- Light weight and size. A chair made of wicker does not take up much space. It will fit in the corner of the room and in the gazebo on the street.
- Despite its compactness, the product can withstand significant loads. It can be used by both children and adults.
- Openwork weaving makes the design unique.
- Wicker furniture is designed for long-term use. It does not require special care and is very easy to maintain.
- Availability of material. Buying vines is inexpensive. And if you have the opportunity to harvest it in the forest yourself, then it’s completely free.
Wicker structures have few disadvantages. Over time, they may crack and lose shape under the influence of the sun and precipitation.
DIY rocking chair made from wicker
Many people, no matter how young or old, love or at least dream of wrapping themselves in a warm blanket on a pleasant winter evening and watching their favorite movie on DVD, sitting in a fabulous rocking chair. This picture can also be supplemented with burning and crackling wood in the fireplace and a cup of hot chocolate, tea or coffee. And if the latter, along with a blanket, is not difficult to organize for yourself in one evening, then with a fireplace and a rocking chair things are much more complicated
And if the latter, along with a blanket, is not difficult to organize for yourself in one evening, then with a fireplace and a rocking chair things are much more complicated
This picture can also be supplemented with burning and crackling wood in the fireplace and a cup of hot chocolate, tea or coffee. And if the latter, along with a blanket, is not difficult to organize for yourself in one evening, then with a fireplace and a rocking chair things are much more complicated.
The fact is that people who have their own houses, gardens and vegetable gardens, having seriously thought about buying this type of furniture and going to a specialized store, are sad to discover that the prices for this type of product are very burdensome for the budget of the average family.
In this case, the best way would be to build a rocking chair with your own hands from wicker. Moreover, once you receive the necessary information, it will not be difficult to cope with the task.
DIY rocking chair diagram.
Rocking chair made of wicker: how to make?
The first thing that comes to mind when you start doing something with your own hands is the question of purchasing the necessary materials and tools for the work.
In this particular case, the rocking chair must be very light, mobile and the design must be particularly flexible, which can only be achieved after using appropriate materials.
Someone can make it from metal, but this process will be too long, expensive and, most importantly, will require special tools, which will require additional money.
Start assembling the frame with two side posts, which contain three parts.
Options for wicker rocking chairs.
It is better and more convenient to connect the parts using PVA glue. It will be more convenient to perform such an operation in a vice.
Then tighten the screws tighter and tightly wrap the joint with a rubber band so that the parts to be glued have the opportunity to stick well to each other. This tourniquet can be removed after three hours.
To do this, you should stock up on screws and a hand screwdriver. This will eliminate the possibility of turning the screws, which often happens when working with an electric or automatic screwdriver. It is more convenient to take a screwdriver with a short handle.
Now connect the side posts to the intermediate trapezoidal piece. To organize the backrest for furniture such as a rocking chair made of wicker, you need to use a cross-shaped piece, again made of wicker. It should be secured between two sides.
Before installing the front beam, it is recommended to remove the bow tensioner on it.
Rocking chair: seat and backrest fastening
Drawing of a rocking chair.
Now you can install a wicker seat on the resulting place. However, before this you should partially braid the frame. For this process, prepare universal PVA glue, a brush, a sponge and a stationery awl. The prepared willow tape needs to be soaked for no more than 1 minute, and you can start working. During the weaving process, the tape should, if necessary, be moistened with a sponge dipped in water.
The next task is to install the lumbar piece. The beam tensioners can only be removed once the part is attached to a suitable location. By turning the boom, you can adjust the degree of alignment of the parts being fastened together.
Then PVA glue is applied to one of the surfaces to be glued, after which the parts are screwed in with screws and the gluing area is immediately tightened with the existing rubber band in order to ensure a tighter pressing of the surfaces being glued to each other.
This operation is performed in no more than 3 minutes, since superglue hardens quickly when used to glue dry wood. First, one side is glued, and only then can we proceed to the other.
When all the parts are glued, all that remains is to tighten the screws on those parts of the frame where the back is attached. At this point, the self-made rocking chair made from wicker is considered complete. All that remains is to coat it with alkyd furniture varnish.
It will strengthen the structure and improve the appearance.
Preparing for work
First of all, you need to prepare the material from which the weaving of the chairs will be made. Willow is usually used because it grows everywhere. Alder and bird cherry are also suitable. As a last resort, you can take a grape vine or raspberry branches.
Raw materials are harvested in autumn or winter. With the arrival of cold weather, tree sap slows down movement. It is much easier to process such material. The cut vine is kept outside for 3-4 days. For the frame, thicker rods are used, the main part is made of thin rods 0.5-1 cm.
To make a wicker chair durable and comfortable, the prepared material undergoes preliminary processing:
- Boil the water.
- Dip the rods into it and cook over low heat for 12 hours.
- Remove the bark.
- Cut the vine into 3-4 strips. To do this, you need to make a cut at the end of the stem and insert a stake.
- The finished tapes are pulled through a press to fit them to one size.
- Thicker stems are installed in special templates made according to the drawing. To build a template, a frame pattern is applied to a chipboard blank, and then pipes and wood cylinders are attached to the base. The fastenings are ready - the frame rods will bend around them. Strong thread, rope or bars are used as ties.
- The final stage is drying. The finished frame made of thick rods and ribbons of thin vine is placed in a special chamber. Leave for 72 hours.
If you are just starting to master the difficult art of weaving, try preparing bird cherry branches. They are very flexible and easily split into pieces.
Preparation of material
To weave furniture, you can use twigs of many different plants: willow, alder, bird cherry, hazel and even nettle and raspberry.
The best time for harvesting rods is the period from October until the onset of frost, as well as all spring months. During these periods of the year, the rods are very well cleaned and can be stored dry for a long time. For openwork weaving, it is best to cut the thinnest twigs in the spring. The most important indicator of twig quality is the thin core. Rods with a thick core are used for making the frame of large products, gazebos, braiding of flower beds and sunbeds. You can choose the material according to the width of the leaves: the narrower the leaf, especially for willow, the more flexible the vine and the more openwork the product will be.
There is a special technology for obtaining white rod - it must be boiled. To do this, take a large container with boiled, hot water, and then lower the workpieces into it. Cook the rods over high heat for one hour. They are boiled for another couple of hours to obtain light shades. To obtain a darker color, it is necessary to cook the material for at least 4 hours. After boiling, the rods are immediately cleared of bark so that they do not lose their beautiful appearance. Remove the bark with a splinter or a rough glove.
Very impressive products are obtained if whole rods and glossy ribbons are used simultaneously in one weave. To make such tapes, the rods are divided into 2–4 parts with a knife or a special small splitter. The thinnest strips are cut from the resulting parts of the blanks.
Useful tools
If you want to weave a product that will not be inferior in quality to a factory rocking chair, we recommend stocking up on high-quality tools. Here is the minimum set:
- Well sharpened knife. It must be sharp enough, because you will have to work with thick rods.
- Shchemilka. It is easy to make with your own hands. Used for sanding rods. The length is 50 cm, the diameter is up to 5 cm, with a split at the end.
- Strugi. Another simple but very useful device. It allows you to achieve a perfectly smooth surface of the runners and seat.
- Brush for applying glue.
- Hammer.
Required materials and tools
To make a rocking chair yourself, you will need to prepare the following:
- Sheets of plywood.
- Wooden beam (length - 53 cm).
- Jigsaw or grinder.
- Set of wood saws (saw blade ranging from 50 to 105 mm).
- A hand router or disc sander with attachments of different grits (you can use regular sandpaper).
- Measuring tape and pencil.
- Electric drill with wood drill bits.
- Screws, nuts, washers.
- Sintepon.
- Thick fabric for upholstery.
- Furniture stapler, glue.
- Wood paint, varnish.
Since plywood has different thicknesses, the appropriate tool is selected for cutting a specific material. Sheets up to 1.5 mm thick are cut with a sharpened knife. Sheets up to 6 mm - with a jigsaw, and thicker ones - with a jigsaw or grinder.
Tools for working with plywood are selected taking into account the thickness of the material
How to Assemble the Base: Step-by-Step Guide
To make a durable wicker rocking chair made of wicker, you need to correctly assemble the base of the structure. It consists of a backrest and a seat. Then you can install the “skis” and make a braid. The support legs are attached with self-tapping screws. It is recommended to strengthen the structure by installing cross bars. Using self-tapping screws, the armrests are screwed to the frame. Once all components have been secured, the temporary fastening can be removed. The place where the self-tapping screws enter, as well as the seat and back, are decorated with weaving from twigs.
How to strengthen a finished frame? Experts advise building additional inserts. They are collected from short sections. This way you can strengthen both the base of the seat and the back itself. The rods play the role of spacers; they are inserted under the handrails, as well as between the rear legs.
The process is discussed in detail in the video:
Wicker rocking chair: features, types and choice
Today, the market is represented by a huge selection of furniture, but wicker rocking chairs, which have gained popularity for their beauty and grace, deserve special attention. Such products allow you not only to have a good rest for your back after a busy day at work, but also to relax your soul. This piece of furniture is considered universal and fits well into the interior of both a country house and an apartment.
A wicker rocking chair is considered an original piece of furniture that personifies home and comfort. It is a comfortable seat, equipped with a backrest, armrests, high stability and low weight. The base of the design of such chairs is usually semicircular; wicker is used to make it.
Thanks to this, while in the chair, you can choose a comfortable position, bend over and rock.
For the first time, models of such furniture appeared in Southeast Asia, they were used to decorate the interiors of houses and terraces of landowners, but now rocking chairs have become an integral part of the design in offices, living rooms, studies and children's rooms.
Rattan wicker products are ideal for relaxation, as their uniform, rhythmic and calm swaying has a beneficial effect on the human body, helping to relax tired muscles and joints.
To increase the comfort of chairs, many manufacturers equip them with soft cushions. In addition, this type of furniture allows you to escape from extraneous thoughts and is used during training of the vestibular apparatus.
If you often spend time in a rocking chair, you can increase concentration, activate your heart function and improve your immunity. This interior element is literally capable of radiating positive energy, creating harmony in the surrounding space.
Rocking chairs made of wicker are presented in a huge assortment, each model differs in color, size, shape and price. It is worth noting that this piece of furniture does not necessarily have to be purchased ready-made; it can be made with your own hands using an individual design. The main advantages of wicker products include the following points.
- Environmentally friendly. During the production of furniture, only natural materials are used that do not cause allergic reactions.
- High strength and long service life. Rattan furniture retains its attractive appearance for decades; chairs are resistant to mechanical damage.
- Comfort. Thanks to the flexible weaving, the vacationer can take any position convenient for him.
- Combination with other interior items. Wire structures will fit perfectly into any room style. They look especially chic in the design of country houses.
As for the disadvantages, these include the low resistance of the products to water (because of this, the furniture cannot be used outdoors), sudden temperature changes and sunlight (deformation of the structure is possible). In addition, not everyone can afford to purchase such furniture, since the cost is quite high.
Rattan rocking chairs are available in several types and may differ in purpose. For example, some models are made exclusively for use in the country, while others are suitable for furnishing living rooms. In addition, the chair can be like this.
- Simple. It is a classic version of furniture, similar to a chair, but additionally equipped with armrests and a flat back. The legs of the structure are vertical; they can be removed to allow the chair to swing. Such furniture fits perfectly into different interiors and provides a pleasant, comfortable stay.
- Hanging. It is distinguished by a variety of shapes, among which oval and circle are especially popular. The structure is attached to a special hook fixed to the ceiling.
- Papasan. The main feature of the model is that in its design the armrests and back create a rounded plane with a small recess. Thanks to this, using this chair is comfortable and pleasant. On sale you can find products that allow several people to sit in them at the same time.
Depending on the material of manufacture, this furniture is divided into those created exclusively from wicker elements (using rattan or wicker) and combined, in which parts from other materials may be present for decoration and increased comfort.
Today, wicker chairs are made from a variety of materials, each of which gives the product its own advantages and disadvantages. This furniture is most often made from wicker and rattan, but the following raw materials can also be used:
- roots of spruce, fir and pine;
- birch (birch bark) and linden bark;
- bamboo.
It is worth noting that in terms of all aesthetic and performance qualities, the most popular is rattan, which is the shoots of the rattan palm tree.
This material is characterized by light weight, varying thickness, beautiful shade, but is expensive. In this regard, many manufacturers began to use not only natural, but also artificial material for weaving furniture. It looks no different from natural, but its cost is affordable for all categories of the population.
Before purchasing a wicker rocking chair for a cottage or apartment, it is important to decide on its purpose and take into account the design of the room where you plan to place it. To make the right choice in favor of one model or another. The following factors should also be taken into account.
- Price. Typically, products made from natural raw materials are expensive, but they are environmentally friendly. If you buy furniture at a low price, then you need to be prepared for the fact that it is most likely of poor quality and contains harmful substances in the finishing. To avoid this, it is recommended to ask the seller for a quality certificate.
- Frame material. Since this part is central to the structure, it must be rigid and strong. It is advisable to choose models in which the frame is made of metal or wood.
- Product design. This factor determines whether the furniture will fit harmoniously into the overall interior of the room. Before purchasing, you need to pay attention to the design and color of the chair.
- Quality. All joints in the rocking chair structure should be small. If a slight squeak occurs when using the product, there is no need to be alarmed. This is what adapts to the physique and weight of the future owner. It is important to check the density of the vine weave.
When purchasing a rocking chair for a baby, you should pay attention to how much weight the furniture can support, whether it is safe to use, and whether it comes with belts. In addition, the furniture must be stable and consist of a steel frame.
How is braiding done?
The frame is assembled, what next? Let's figure out how to weave a chair, make the braid soft and durable:
- If the tires are not soft enough, use a cylindrical shape. A vine is braided behind it and pulled 2-3 times.
- Next, you need to coat the braid with glue.
- The frame is wrapped in 3 rods. This way you can strengthen the fastening and simplify the internal weaving. Let us remind you that wicker chairs from wicker are made using different methods: openwork, single. When it comes to body braiding techniques, there are plenty to choose from. Beginners use the linear method; more experienced craftsmen make wicker rocking chairs using a “braid” or checkerboard pattern.
- At the bottom of the armrest it is enough to simply wrap the bars, but at the top they are pulled in a certain sequence. For example, in a checkerboard pattern.
The following video will help you understand the essence of the weaving process:
How to weave a chair from wicker yourself
A chair made of wicker will look harmonious in almost any interior. Such furniture will bring a special atmosphere of comfort to your home. Therefore, it is not surprising that there are a huge number of people who want to purchase such a chair. However, due to the high cost of such furniture, thoughts arise about making it yourself. Below you will find out how to do this.
Preparatory actions
Preparing to create a wicker chair consists of the following steps:
- It is best to assemble material in winter. In winter, the movement of sap in the tree stops, and this makes the whole process easier.
- The material should be left outside for several days to allow it to brew.
- Then you need to put it in special baths with lids and boil it for a day.
- Treat thin branches with pinches, after removing the bark from them. Then you will need to split it into several parts with a splitter.
- Place strong boiled branches in templates, which are made from a sheet of chipboard and pieces of thick bars stuffed onto it along the edges. Install a round element in the middle and bend the parts around it.
- Connect the parts placed on the template with ties.
- Then put it in a special chamber to dry for several days.
Assembly step by step
At the very beginning you have to assemble the rocking chair and only at the very end install the “skis” and do the braiding.
- Place the rear legs of the product on the wooden platform using self-tapping screws, connecting them together with a piece of the same size, then the front legs.
- Then install the elements to secure the structure.
- Afterwards, you can begin installing the formed parts for the seat and armrests. Connect everything with self-tapping screws.
- Remove the ties after you have secured all the elements.
- The area where screws are used, the back and seat will need to be decorated with wickerwork made from shank and small willow twigs.
- Thoroughly knead the rods at the very beginning of the work process.
- Lubricate the area to be braided with glue. If, after applying the glue, you place several rods on the armrest, you will need to securely tie them to the armrest with shredders. Then move on to weaving.
- At the bottom of the armrest, sweep over the bars, at the top - stretch over and under the rods in a checkerboard pattern.
- Once the braiding is completed, install the runners and supports for them. With proper installation, your chair will move with one touch of your hand.
- The final step will be to varnish the product. Use a wide brush to apply several layers.
- Follow the above instructions, and you will get a chair made of wicker, no worse than a store-bought one!
Weaving technique
The rocking chair frame is almost ready. All that remains is to make the braid and install the skis on the legs. The vine is laid in layers, the quantity may vary. The more massive the wicker product, the more material will be spent on its production. You can strengthen the seat and back with 4-5 rods, four will be enough for the legs, and 2-3 rods for other parts. Don't forget about spacers that will help strengthen the junction of the legs with the seat.
In general, the weaving technique is not particularly difficult. All actions are extremely clear and simple, but require high concentration, patience and accuracy. The easiest way to master weaving is in inclined rows. True, the strength of such a structure will be average. In order for a rocking chair made from wicker to serve you for many years, you will have to master other, more complex methods. For example, rope weaving is very popular among craftsmen. It makes furniture stronger and more durable.
To focus on the decorative properties of the product, a “chess cage” is suitable. To weave vines quickly and without mistakes, you will need practice. We recommend watching video tutorials on weaving or buying a good book with a detailed description of the process.
Chair for children
If we consider children's rocking chairs, then we will not be talking about furniture, but about a simple toy. Making them yourself is much easier than previous options.
As a rule, they are made in the shape of a horse or other figures that are popular with children. In this case, there will be no fundamental changes in the design, the basics are preserved, only the form changes.
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We pay close attention to the dimensions of the chair and, of course, the presence of handles or fastenings to hold the child in the saddle.
You can cut out the very shape of an animal or other figure from plywood. The main thing is to choose the right width for structural strength.
The dimensions of the seat are selected individually, and as for the backrest, keep in mind that its width should be equal to the back side of the seat.
Don’t forget about the handles, the child will hold on to them while swinging. It would be nice if the child took part in painting this toy. This way his preference will be taken into account, it will add even more delight.
Installation of skids
To extend the life of wicker furniture, we recommend installing special runners. The quality and convenience of swinging will depend on the correct installation. If done correctly, wicker furniture will easily tilt back from a hand placed on the headboard.
It is preferable to make arcs from the strongest, smoothest rods. After all, they are the ones who will bear the main burden. Any defects and irregularities are cut off. The remaining buds are also removed. The vine is steamed over boiling water and tied with a thick cord in the shape of a bow. When the structure has cooled, the arc is installed on the legs and glued without removing the cord. For additional fixation, we recommend using a screwdriver.
Turn the structure over so that the legs are at the top, heat the skis with a hairdryer, and press them onto the runners. For additional fixation, use cotton tape. When the pads have cooled and taken shape, the tape is removed and glued to the runners. The glue will dry for 48 hours. After 2 days, the nails are removed. They are replaced with self-tapping screws, and the installation site is covered with a mixture of sawdust and glue.
When the wicker rocking chair is ready, do not forget to treat it with an antifungal agent. Water-repellent varnish will help increase the moisture resistance of the product. Using paint you can give the furniture the desired shade. Furniture varnish is applied in several layers. It is most convenient to use a wide brush for these purposes.
To make the rocking chair even softer, add an additional pillow. In more massive designs, solid wood is used for runners.
How to make it yourself at home from vines?
To make a wicker chair yourself, you need to have weaving skills. This product will delight owners with its light weight, practicality, and ergonomics. A wicker chair will not clutter up the free space and can be placed even in a small room.
Selection of materials
You can weave a piece of furniture from:
- rattan;
- vines (willow, raspberry, bird cherry).
Rattan is a unique plant found in South Asia and Indonesia. In our country it is problematic to buy it. Most often, ready-made products are available for sale, which are highly expensive.
Important: a feature of wicker chairs is the absence of screws and bolts. All elements are attached with glue
Finished furniture must be varnished in several layers to improve performance characteristics.
If you really want to make a rocking chair from rattan, you can look in stores for its substitute - poly rattan. This material has high technical characteristics, attractive appearance and is easy to use.
Products made from artificial rattan are no different in appearance from natural raw materials.
But as practice shows, people often prefer furniture made from wicker. This material is collected independently with the arrival of the first frosts. Before making furniture, the collected vines are processed:
- The rods are boiled in hot water for at least 10 hours.
- Cleaned thoroughly.
- Dry for 3 days.
- Sorted by diameter. The frame is made from thick rods, and the seat and back are made from thin rods.
Tip: it is better to weave a rocking chair from a wicker into three rods. This will significantly increase the strength and durability of the product.
How to assemble a wicker frame, runners and armrests together?
The design of the wicker model consists of:
- >lower bench;
- seats;
- backrests;
- armrests.
Making a rocking chair from wicker is as follows:
- We prepare the material. 25 long willow twigs (2-3 meters long), three cm in diameter and many thin twigs (1-1.2 m in size), 0.5 cm in diameter.
- The frame is made from thick branches (less often from wooden planks). All parts of the base are fixed with wire or nails.
- The braiding consists of covering the back and seat with tires.
Shinki is braided in an openwork or combined way. Using a special tool (jam), the rods are bent and the frame with the lower seat is fixed. - Now the backrest with cross bars is attached. The legs of the frame are fixed with thin rods on the seat frame and crosspiece.
- The upper part of the backrest is mounted with transverse rods to the seat.
- Next, armrests, supports, and skis are made. The armrests are attached to the frame with special nails. Thin rods are inserted vertically and horizontally into the back of the chair.
- All elements of the chair are attached to the frame with self-tapping screws, and the top is masked with glue and sawdust.
Reference: for the manufacture of runners, willow sticks with a diameter of 3 cm are prepared. The front arcs will consist of two bent parts no more than 1.2 cm long, the rear ones will be straight.
Master class on finishing
As for the finishing of a rocking chair made of wicker, the product must:
- Cover with impregnations against high moisture, insects and fungus.
- Next, choose a suitable shade of stain to give the product a rich color.
- Cover the chair with two layers of waterproof varnish.
All of the above procedures will not only give the product an attractive appearance, but also increase its performance.
It doesn’t matter what materials the rocking chair is made of. Any product needs competent and proper care:
- once a week the piece of furniture is wiped with a damp cloth;
- To protect the chair from scratches and premature wear, it is recommended to put a cover on it;
- Children's furniture must be wiped regularly to prevent harmful germs and bacteria from accumulating on it.
Tip: in nature, next to such a chair, you can put a simple table for a summer house or a table in a gazebo, as well as a folding table for a picnic. In a home environment, neighbors can be a small coffee table or a table for a laptop.
Features of caring for a rocking chair
If used incorrectly, wicker furniture can become fragile and quickly deteriorate. Use these simple tips for caring for wicker furniture:
- Wipe furniture with a damp sponge once a week.
- If a wicker chair is exposed to rain, wipe it thoroughly with a dry cloth. Do not use a hair dryer or heater to dry your hair. It is better to take the product out into the sun so that it dries naturally.
- Is it possible to vacuum clean such furniture? Yes, but there are nuances. It is not recommended to use standard nozzles - use only soft ones.
- Has the braid become dry and lost its attractive appearance? Apply a few drops of flaxseed oil.
There is a sure way to protect wicker rocking chairs from moisture. Treat them with tung oil 2 times a year, in spring and autumn.
How to repair?
The operation of wicker furniture involves constant loads. In this case, the surface of the chair wears unevenly, which leads to the failure of certain elements. Let's consider the algorithm for repairing rattan chairs, which consists of several simple steps:
First of all, you should wet the damaged area with water. It is better to use a damp cloth for this, which is placed on the surface for about half an hour.
It is important that all the rods become limp and stretch a little.
After this, you need to weave a new thread into the area with the dropped element. To connect the ends, use a special glue that carefully covers the ends of the products
When everything is done, you need to leave the furniture to dry for several days. This will allow the glue to adhere better.
If rattan rods are cracked, then their condition can be restored using linseed oil. This process consists of several sequential steps:
Initially, the oil is slightly warmed up.
After this, use a brush to cover the damaged areas.
It is important that the material absorbs as much of the substance as possible. Therefore, you need to lubricate until the oil stops being absorbed into the rattan structure.
The process is completed by rubbing oil into the structure.
To do this, use a paper napkin, which is carefully rubbed over the entire surface of the rods. In this case, you should try to rub in as much of the substance as possible. The chair can only be used after the rattan has dried. In most cases, it is enough not to touch the product for about a day.
As for wicker chairs, everything is much more complicated. It all depends on what type of weaving and fixation was used. The process of restoring such structures involves complete replacement of the damaged area.
Wicker chairs are unique designs that are distinguished by their practicality and original design.
When purchasing such products, it is important to evaluate their quality, as well as choose the right purpose.
conclusions
Any job that you encounter for the first time seems complicated and incomprehensible. It takes practice. Gradually, your hands will get used to the tight and unruly vine, your eyes will become more attentive, your head itself will suggest original solutions. It is unlikely that you will be able to make the perfect wicker chair with your own hands the first time. Try it, don’t be afraid of difficulties, start mastering the art of weaving with simpler objects. Soon you will decorate your gazebo with real works of art.
In conclusion, I want to share an excellent video about how the fascinating process of weaving furniture can be turned into a small family business.
Manufacturing materials
Before you begin manufacturing and assembling a rocking chair, you need to decide on the design, dimensions and materials of its manufacture.
As for the materials for making the frame, it can be made from:
Metal. Such products are highly durable. They can be decorated with forged elements to add aristocracy.
You can place metal furniture in any room: living room, bedroom, veranda. The metal product can withstand weight up to 300 kg.
- Rattan. The wicker model has an elegant openwork design. Rattan products are found in country houses and dachas. Their advantages include: the ability to withstand heavy weight, environmental friendliness and safety, long service life of more than 15 years, strength and reliability of the design.
Tree. Wooden structures are the most common. They are able to decorate any room interior or courtyard exterior with their noble and elegant appearance.- Willows, vines. Such rocking chairs are in particular demand. The material has a unique composition that provides furniture items with high wear resistance. You can weave a rocking chair with your own hands. To do this, you need to choose a suitable scheme and stock up on consumables. The advantages of wicker furniture include its light weight, compact size and high strength.
- Plywood. She is easy and pleasant to work with. It pleases with its long service life, naturalness and the ability to make products of any design.
- Profile pipe. The features of the material include: low weight, strength and resistance to stress, ease of use (PVC pipes are assembled into interesting designs), and affordable cost of the material.
- Natural leather. It is durable, wear-resistant, and resistant to negative factors.
- Eco-leather. The material has an affordable price, a wide selection of color palettes, and practicality.
- Faux leather. It is characterized by low cost, resistance to high moisture, resistance to deformation and tearing. Dust does not collect on its surface and stains do not remain.
It is important to choose the right wood here. The ideal option would be: pine needles, oak, larch .
Some models of chairs are decorated with textile upholstery:
Materials
The production of wicker furniture is very common in the world. Such products are formed from various materials, among which the most popular are:
- Vine. This product is young shoots of willow of small thickness. The material perfectly withstands moisture, which allows the chairs to be used outdoors. Products made from wicker are especially popular in our country, as it is a fairly affordable material.
- Bamboo is comparable in strength to hardwood. The furniture tolerates moisture very well and is also durable.
- Seaweed. The furniture is woven from special plants that grow in the Pacific Ocean. Seaweed chairs are pleasant to the touch and completely safe for humans. The material does not cause allergies, which is why the cost of products made from it is very high. Seaweed products belong to the elite class.
- Rattan is the shoots of a palm tree that can grow up to 600 m in length. The material is completely environmentally friendly, which affects the cost of the chairs.
- Artificial rattan. This product is a plastic tape with silk threads placed inside it. Artificial rattan chairs are durable and have a low price.
Peculiarities
Wicker furniture has been known to man for a very long time. But recently its popularity has increased sharply. It began to be used almost everywhere - from home to large restaurants. Several significant advantages of such products should be highlighted:
a2d30a5d3667d7b20b14d9ce9d36aed8.jpe- Environmental friendliness. This applies to almost all types of such structures, since the materials used in their manufacture do not emit harmful substances into the external environment. But you should understand that if the chair is painted, then this may be one of the ways to doubt its high quality.
- Durability. The service life of such a chair exceeds 5 years. But these parameters depend only on the material used and production technology.
- Strength. Almost all types of chairs can withstand significant loads. This can be said about both rattan and natural wicker. It should also be noted that it is highly resistant to moisture. The chairs can be used both indoors and outdoors (terraces, balconies, etc.).
- Easy to care for. To ensure that the chair retains its beautiful appearance for as long as possible, you should periodically wipe it with a slightly damp cloth and remove dust. This will increase the service life by several years.
- Light weight.
Creating a design
A wicker chair should be durable, the basis of which will be proper manufacturing. The procedure for forming the skeleton of the structure is as follows:
- Assembly begins with a wooden base. The frame often looks like a single element that includes the seat and back of the rocking chair. The support legs are attached to it with self-tapping screws.
- To strengthen the structure, cross strips are mounted between the front and rear legs.
- Armrests and other elements are installed on the chair body using self-tapping screws, according to the drawing.
- After the frame components are securely fixed, the temporary fastening is removed.
Braid construction
This fascinating process begins when the frame is completely assembled. The braiding procedure includes the following steps:
- Gives softness to tires. To do this, use a cylindrical shape, over which they throw the vine, pull it a little and pull it several times in different directions.
- Coating the braid with two-component glue or PVA. After this, the body of the chair is woven.
- Winding the frame in three rods. This will strengthen the fastening of the structure and also facilitate the process of internal weaving, which is performed in different ways: single, openwork or combined.
- Braiding the body using several techniques: braid, checkerboard, simple linear method, etc.
When the braid is ready, support skis and supports are attached.
Installation of runners
To increase the service life of the rocking chair, it is recommended to install runners that are wear-resistant. The procedure is as follows:
- Turn the structure upside down.
- Heat the skis with a hairdryer, place them on the runners one by one and wrap them along the entire length with cotton tape.
- After the pads have cooled and taken the desired shape, glue them to the runners, first removing the fabric. For high-quality fastening, secure the ends of the planks with nails.
- Allow the glue to harden for 48 hours, after which remove the nails and replace them with self-tapping screws. Cover the installation areas with a mixture of glue and sawdust.
It is recommended to install fasteners only on the edges of the runners. This is due to the fact that during operation the linings wear out, the heads of the hardware will begin to stick out and spoil the floor covering.
Final Steps
The finished structure is treated with an antifungal agent and liquid that will prevent the appearance of wood pests.
To increase moisture resistance, special varnishes with water-repellent characteristics are used. Before coating with a protective agent, the product is given the required shade. To do this, use stain or paint.
The finished rocking chair will bring beauty, comfort to your home and will become a favorite relaxation spot for every family member.
To produce high-quality wicker furniture with your own hands, you must comply with certain requirements in order to make an armchair or stool quickly enough. The use of natural materials for weaving requires compliance with all design features of the type of furniture being manufactured, for example, a chair.
A wicker chair made from natural materials is easy to care for and fits perfectly into any style of room.
Weaving furniture is an exclusive type of activity for creating interior items. If the design is chosen correctly, wicker furniture will look original in an elegant style, being particularly reliable and easy to care for and use.
Since the number of owners of cottages and country houses is growing every year, their desire to decorate their premises in a naturalistic style requires appropriate furniture, which can also be wicker.
Materials for making a wicker chair
DIY rocking chair diagram.
You should pay attention to the differences in weaving methods. The following methods are distinguished:
- Single.
- Openwork.
- Combined.
The entire process of making wicker chairs involves making original patterns, combining different methods, or using only one type of weaving.
The durability of wicker furniture is determined not only by the nature of the assembly of all elements, which can be detachable or non-detachable, but also by the material. When using permanent connections, glue or nails are used during the assembly of wicker elements, which gives the finished products special durability.
Options for weaving chairs with different combinations of thin and thick rods.
Design features
According to their design, rocking chairs are divided into:
Gliders (with a pendulum mechanism). These models have a fixed base, and the furniture swings due to a pendulum mechanism.
Unlike classic products, they are distinguished by: silent operation and stability. They are often used by young mothers for feeding and rocking babies .
As for the varieties, rocking chairs with pendulum mechanisms are made:
On skids. Such products are the most common and are most often installed in classic interiors. They are equipped with radius skids, are distinguished by their simple design and simple assembly technique.
But you won’t be able to swing too much on the chair. Because it can simply turn over.
