The bottom layer of horizontal strands is woven in like manner. When skill is acquired, the next strand can be knotted or spliced to the underside, where it will be unnoticed; otherwise the next strand can be tacked underneath and woven in the same manner, except that it is "threaded" or pushed through the horizontal layer, one strand nearer to the front, emerging one strand closer to form a diagonal, as the vertical strands increase in number up to five. This diagonal weave can be continued clear across the seat, or can be reversed at midpoint to form the bisymmetrical pattern illustrated. In this case the best practice is to begin at the center and work outwards, to insure an even design. The use of flat fiber cord will greatly simplify the layout of more ambitious, geometrical designs. By selecting a cord 34 in. wide, it is a relatively simple matter to transfer the seat dimensions to graph paper, and by plotting four widths of cord to the inch, to work out an interesting original pattern. With the flat cord constant care must be exercised to prevent twisting or overlapping. Both flat and round art fiber cord are obtainable in various colors. Fig. 6.30. Splicing splints. Splint Weaving. If the ladderback chair described in Chapter 2 is constructed from hickory, it requires a complementary "splintbottom" seat. Composed of hickory splints У2 in. wide and Vie in. thick, which can be woven jn a variety of designs, these seats when properly constructed are nearly as everlasting as the frame. Sometimes known as "Indian splints," hickory splints 8 to Ю ft. long are usually sold in coils weighing about lb. They must be soaked m water for several minutes before being used, to insure maximum pliability. 382 FURNITURE MAKING AND CABINET WORK The actual weaving is similar to that of the rafia seat described in preceding paragraphs, except that the individual strand is % in wide and much stiffer to handle. Graph paper remains an excellent means for plotting the design and position of the splints. Some designers prefer to experiment with black and white paper strips cut % in. wide. Because hickory splints are prone to split, the best method of fastening a free end to the chair rail, or of splicing, is to use a cheap 1 metal stapler procurable at most 5andio cent stores. Figure 6.30 shows a more laborious method of splicing, cut with a chisel or sharp knife. Experienced weavers overlap spliced ends for a considerable distance under cross strands. Fig. 6.31. Splint weaving. Weaving technique. In an interesting variation of the popular diamond weave, the side rails are continuously wrapped with parallel, spliced splints as in the rafia seat. As shown in Figure 6.31, the fronttoback "weavers" are inserted in the following order: 1 st splint-under 2, over 2, under 2, over 2, etc. 2nd splint-under 1, over 2, under 2, over 2, etc. 3rd splint-over 2, under 2, over 2, under 2, etc. 4th splint-over 1, under 2, over 2, under 2, etc.