Stitched chair

My Stitched project is the outcome of my research in to how interior products are made. There are many issues related to the production and transportation products that are merely looked into. Waste of material, single purpose moulding techniques, high tooling costs and high volume and weight.

This project shows a serious alternative way of making furniture using high tech materials as Kevlar and carbon fibre combined with traditional methods as sewing and weaving to make new products. The advantages of this work can be found in its low tooling costs, easy adjustable designs (like tailoring), low weight and small packing.

The development of the pieces took place during my final year at the Design products department of the Royal College of Art. I have spent much time researching materials that could solve my problems. As soon as got my hands on a piece of carbon fibre fabric the first thing I did was stitch a stool together. It was a really straightforward design but the following day when the resin had hardened I knew this had much potential. The fabric had become rock hard and had the weight of a feather. This very strong and lightweight material is in a 'dry' condition like a cloth. I have designed a chair like a garment and so design a pattern for a chair. This allows me to create interior products with not more tools then a sewing machine and a pair of scissors.

The joy of the 'Stitched chair' is in its appearance, it presents itself as a soft piece of garment but it is a full functioning chair. When you sit on this chair you discover that it is very strong and comfortable piece. The combination of the strength of high tech Kevlar Aramide fabric and a low-fi manufacturing of a sewing machine creates a mischievous product.