I use masking tape to hold my starting coil. I also write my name and date on the tape this is one of two places I put this information. I use tape because tacks can weaken the rails I've replaced my share.
I use what I call the English way of squaring a chair. This guy is good and I like to show people that want to learn how to fiber rush chairs his video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHu7lc5680w&feature=related This is the U-tube video of how it's done. Squaring the chair seat needs to be done in order to start weaving if the front rail is wider then the back rail. My back rail was 11" my front rail was 14 1/2" . So I had to make up 1 3/4" on each corner. As you can see I checked the front rail with my tape measure to see when I could start weaving the whole seat.
In the video they don't stuff the seat that is the only fault I have with this video. As you can see I use cedar shakes to stuff my chair seats. I but the thicker ends in the middle and It gives a rise at the center of my seats. I round the edges over so they won't cut into the fiber rush and shorten the life of the seat.
This is where I write down all of the important information. My name and address phone numbers home & cell. what I was asked to do and how much everything cost. On the other side my clients name, address & date I did the job. I like putting this information in because it gives the chair history. I like finding a chair that has a note in it or a coin. Infact I do put pennies in these chair seats also just started that a couple of chairs ago.
Now I start stuffing with cardboard. It fills out the seat and I think it makes the seat look nicer I guess you could say it gives it body. I think it also helps me to keep the fiber rush cord tighter.
This is a close up of the seat before it is shellacked.
Here is the completed chair with the seat shellacked.
