Almost Finished...the Multi-Generation Chair

Growing up, we hand-milked our few cows.  When we went to milk, we always stopped at the little, cedar log "seed house" and shelled corn to put into the troughs for the cows to enjoy while we milked.  We always sat in the same old ladder-back chair with a white oak split bottom.  That chair stayed in the seed house all my life and my mom never remembers a time it wasn't there.  Looking at it, it is a perfect match for two of our inside chairs, as well as my Papaw's high chair.  They were likely bought near the same time, which would put them at being around 113 years old.

The inside chairs all have their original seats in them, and are in exceptional condition.  Considering that they've all gone through my great-grandparents, grandparents, parents/aunts/uncles, and all of us grandkids, it is a true testament to their maker's craftsmanship that they have held up so incredibly well.  The one from the barn, however, had seen better days.  The frame was in perfect condition except for the few layers of paint and decades of dust.  The seat, sad to say, was shot.  probably 70% was still solid, but one corner and side were completely apart.  Considering the fact that I don't live where I can fell a white oak anytime I want, and don't honestly have time to hand make white oak splits, restoring an original style seat wasn't an option.  So, what's any self-respecting country boy to do??? Improvise!


If there was one thing we always had around home, it was twine - jute, sisal, etc.  General old baling twine was the next best thing to duct tape.  I tracked down a few spools of jute twine and after much scrubbing and sanding, set about replacing the seat.  I did my best to keep the original pattern to the weaving and though not perfect by any stretch, I think it turned out pretty well.

 It took a couple of weeks of nights when I had the time - and MANY backaches from sitting stooped over for a couple of hours at a time, but it's done and in the original pattern.

In the closeup, you can see that I didn't get the sides perfect, but it's strong and comfortable and I won't complain.  I still have a little cleanup to do on the wood, then a few coats of Tung Oil to protect it.  I'm doing my best to keep the look that age has given the wood.  Hopefully this chair will last long enough for the fifth generation (my kids) to use it and pass it along to the next.

Oh, and here is my constant companion and giver of unwanted help, Marie.  The picture's horrible but oh well...she doesn't stay still long enough for glamour shots.