November 01, 2023
The Making of Matteo
There's a whole lot of skill & craftsmanship that goes into creating our Matteo Furniture Collection; from designing the initial pattern to intricately weaving each and every fibre, these furniture pieces truly are a labour of love. Discover the process behind the artisan pieces below...
Step 1: Draw The Pattern
The first step is for the artisan to draw the initial pattern on paper. It is planned & executed with precision and each pattern is drawn to scale according to the measurements of the individual item. There is no room for error at this initial stage as this pattern will be used as a reference throughout the weaving process. This is also the stage which allows the artisan's creativity to flourish - we love collaborating with them to come up with unique pattern ideas.
Step 2: Weave The Structure
Next up the artisan creates a wooden structure to form the base of the furniture and then carefully starts to weave over this using the pattern from step 1 as a guide. These pieces are made using natural fique fibres and weaving always begins from the centre, to ensure a symmetrical finish.
Step 3: Secure The Weave
Throughout the weaving process, a ruler is used to help line up the fibres and tweezers are used to arrange individual fibres into place - it is a very intricate process and requires patience & dedication! Once everything is in line, the fibres are then secured at the bottom to ensure a tight weave and high quality finish.
Step 4: Seal The Fibres
Once the fabric element has been completely woven, the artisan combs through and removes any loose fibres. The fibres are then burned with a naked flame (one of the most important steps) which gives a smooth finish to the product. This step requires a great deal of skill to burn only the excess fibres.
Step 5: The Final Product
After this, the artisan will quality check each and every item ahead of arranging the products for shipping. And that's it! The products are shipped from Colombia directly to our warehouse and on to our lovely customers. We love to see and hear about how our wonderful Colombian handcrafted products are styled in your homes.
