New Crinoline stretcher for Windsor chair

Unfortunately the Crinoline stretcher on this Windsor chair had broken. This type of stretcher is desirable on Windsor’s, but they are weaker than the alternative ‘H’ Stretcher.
To make a new one you need to steam a piece of timber around a former and clamp it until cools. The bend I used for this chair was one of many I steam bent 17 years ago.....I knew it would come in some day! Below are a few pictures that show the piece of wood taking shape. Most of the shaping is done with an old Spokeshave, which you can see in one of the photo’s.