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STITCH ONE - COMPACT SEWING
MACHINE
A compact industrial sewing machine designed for precision and power at home.
Details:
Prototype Course, 1st year Bachelor at Umeå Institute of Design
4 Weeks — 2025
Tools: Sketching, Prototyping, Illustrator, Lasercutting
Assignment: Design a product and create a prototype in foam
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BACKGROUND
The goal was to design a small-scale industrial sewing machine, adapted for home use
COMPACT, POWERFUL AND VISUALLY REFINED
This project was developed within the course "Prototyping" and explores the intersection between industrial design and textile craftsmanship. As both a designer and maker, I have long been fascinated by the aesthetics and mechanics of sewing machines — objects that merge precision, engineering, and tactile creativity.
The goal was to design a small-scale industrial sewing machine adapted for home use: compact, powerful, and visually refined.
RESEARCH
The research phase included studying existing sewing machines from both domestic and industrial categories. Key insights emerged through observation, sketching, and ergonomic testing:
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Industrial machines provide durability, speed, and control — but are heavy, loud, and visually uninviting for small spaces.
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Domestic machines are user-friendly and visually appealing — but often lack the strength and precision required for heavier materials such as leather or denim.
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Target users: independent designers, leather workers, and advanced hobbyists who value craftsmanship and aesthetics equally.
CONCEPT DEVELOPMEN
Early ideation focused on redefining proportions and presence. The goal was to keep the raw industrial feeling but introduce a sculptural softness suitable for studio environments. Sketching, digital modeling, and foam prototyping were used to explore the balance between form, function, and emotional appeal.
Three main concepts were explored:
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The Compact Workhorse – minimal, robust, with exposed mechanical details.
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The Silent Machine – enclosed body with integrated sound-dampening and storage.
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The Hybrid Form – combining metal precision with textile-inspired curves.
SKETCHING / IDEATION
Hand sketches led the design toward a robust and sculptural expression.
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Sketching & Ideation: Initial hand sketches and digital outlines in Procreate and Rhino.
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Mockups: Foam and cardboard models were built to test handle placement, thread visibility, and material flow.
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Material & Color Study:
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Prototype Build: The final prototype was constructed using laser-cut acrylic and mdf parts, and a foam body.
REFLECTION
Design comes alive in the making.
Building the prototype was a crucial part of transforming the concept into something tangible. The process revealed how design intent evolves through material limitations, assembly challenges, and hands-on problem solving. Prototyping became not just a technical step, but a continuation of the design language itself — a dialogue between idea and material.
RESULT
Through sketching, the design evolved into a balanced expression of strength and precision.
THE FINAL PROTOTYPE
The final prototype presents a compact industrial sewing machine that bridges the gap between workshop and living space. It retains the strength and stability of industrial models while offering a smaller footprint, quieter operation, and a contemporary aesthetic language.
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Design highlights include:
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Compact geometry for easy placement in small studios.
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Simplified user interface with essential mechanical controls.
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Removable side cover for maintenance and aesthetic customization.
