The above two pictures are of the underside of the seat showing the methods of securing the cane by using knots and often glue. We have developed our own technique of securing the ends of the cane where they are not visible which tidies up the underside and the ends do not get caught and break. Below the cane has been removed and a problem has appeared which happens quite often on these old pieces. The stress from the tight cane has damaged the wood between the holes. This needs to be fixed before the weaving starts. Small pieces of wood have to be glued into the spaces left from the crumbling wood. This fixes the problem so the seat can be woven but also adds strength to the wood so it doesn't happen again. The small pieces are then chiseled down and a stain applied so it blends in with the antique wood. Once this is done the dirt that has accumulated under the old cane is cleaned off, a good waxing and we are ready to weave.