Shaker Tape Calculator
Wondering how much tape you need to order? For reweaving any given chair, the following formula works well:
First, measure the front rail between the posts, in inches. Second, measure straight across from the center of the back rail to the center of the front rail, in inches. Multiply these numbers together. Divide the resulting figure by 9, and that's the total number of yards of 1" tape required. For 5/8" tape, divide by 5.3, rather than by 9. If you want to use two colors, order half the total number of yards per color. We recommend you order in 5 yard increments, rounding up, so that you do not accidentally run short.
If you are reseating a chair from Shaker Workshops--or a historic model of the same style--we've prepared the tables below to help you out! We also have prepared weaving instructions for you to reference--and we provide a copy with each tape order.
First, measure the front rail between the posts, in inches. Second, measure straight across from the center of the back rail to the center of the front rail, in inches. Multiply these numbers together. Divide the resulting figure by 9, and that's the total number of yards of 1" tape required. For 5/8" tape, divide by 5.3, rather than by 9. If you want to use two colors, order half the total number of yards per color. We recommend you order in 5 yard increments, rounding up, so that you do not accidentally run short.
If you are reseating a chair from Shaker Workshops--or a historic model of the same style--we've prepared the tables below to help you out! We also have prepared weaving instructions for you to reference--and we provide a copy with each tape order.
For a single-color seat use the following table - order the amount shown
Shaker Workshops Chair Style (Model #) |
5/8" wide tape |
7/8" wide tape (Shaker Flame only) |
1" wide tape |
Low-Back/Straight Chair (K111/K121) |
40 yards |
30 yards |
25 yards |
Weaver's (K131, K132) |
40 yards |
30 yards |
25 yards |
Elder's Chair (K141) |
65 yards |
50 yards |
40 yards |
#7 Mt. Lebanon Tape Back Rocker (K151) |
115 yards |
90 yards |
70 yards |
#7 Mt. Lebanon Slat Back Rocker with Shawl Rail (K161) |
70 yards |
55 yards |
45 yards |
#5 Hard Maple Slat Back Side/Arm Chair (K182/K192) |
60 yards |
45 yards |
35 yards |
Youth Chair (K231) |
30 yards |
25 yards |
20 yards |
#7 Mt. Lebanon Tape Back Rocker with Shawl Rail (K233) |
115 yards |
90 yards |
70 yards |
Settee (K241) |
250 yards |
180 yards |
150 yards |
#5 Hard Maple Tape Back Side/Arm Chair (K253/K263) |
95 yards |
70 yards |
60 yards |
#7 Mt. Lebanon Slat Back Rocker (K291) |
70 yards |
55 yards |
45 yards |
#1 Child's (K303) |
30 yards |
25 yards |
20 yards |
Counter/Utility Stool (K364/K471) |
40 yards |
30 yards |
25 yards |
Foot Stool (K472) |
20 yards |
15 yards |
15 yards |
Lebanon Bench (K473) |
110 yards |
80 yards |
65 yards |
#5 Slat Back Side/Arm Chair (K511/K521/K531/ K541/K571/K581) |
60 yards |
45 yards |
35 yards |
#5 Tape Back Side/Arm Chair (K551/K561) |
95 yards |
70 yards |
60 yards |
For a two-color seat use the following table - order the amount shown for each color
For example: 20+20 yards means you should order 20 yards of each of the two colors you wish to use. The sum of these yardages may be slightly higher than the numbers shown above for one color...this is because there is some loss in each direction from filler strips and splicing, and with a two-color seat, leftovers from one direction cannot be used in the other.
Shaker Workshops Chair Style (Model #) |
5/8" wide tape |
7/8" wide tape (Shaker Flame only) |
1" wide tape |
Low-Back/Straight Chair (K111/K121) |
20+20 yards |
15+15 yards |
15+15 yards |
Weaver's (K131, K132) |
20+20 yards |
15+15 yards |
15+15 yards |
Elder's Chair (K141) |
35+35 yards |
25+25 yards |
20+20 yards |
#7 Mt. Lebanon Tape Back Rocker (K151) |
60+60 yards |
45+45 yards |
35+35 yards |
#7 Mt. Lebanon Slat Back Rocker with Shawl Rail (K161) |
35+35 yards |
30+30 yards |
25+25 yards |
#5 Hard Maple Slat Back Side/Arm Chair (K182/K192) |
30+30 yards |
25+25 yards |
20+20 yards |
Youth Chair (K231) |
15+15 yards |
15+15 yards |
10+10 yards |
#7 Mt. Lebanon Tape Back Rocker with Shawl Rail (K233) |
60+60 yards |
45+45 yards |
35+35 yards |
Settee (K241) |
125+125 yards |
90+90 yards |
75+75 yards |
#5 Hard Maple Tape Back Side/Arm Chair (K253/K263) |
50+50 yards |
35+35 yards |
30+30 yards |
#7 Mt. Lebanon Slat Back Rocker (K291) |
35+35 yards |
30+30 yards |
25+25 yards |
#1 Child's (K303) |
15+15 yards |
15+15 yards |
10+10 yards |
Counter/Utility Stool (K364/K471) |
20+20 yards |
15+15 yards |
15+15 yards |
Foot Stool (K472) |
10+10 yards |
10+10 yards |
10+10 yards |
Lebanon Bench (K473) |
55+55 yards |
40+40 yards |
35+35 yards |
#5 Slat Back Side/Arm Chair (K511/K521/K531/ K541/K571/K581) |
30+30 yards |
25+25 yards |
20+20 yards |
#5 Tape Back Side/Arm Chair (K551/K561) |
50+50 yards |
35+35 yards |
30+30 yards |