Rise and Recline Chair Advice
Meet Lisa, the seamstress behind our handmade chairs
Behind every Oak Tree Mobility chair is a skilled set of hands and a story shaped by years of craft.
In this interview, we meet Lisa, one of the talented seamstresses who helps bring each Oak Tree Mobility chair to life from the very first stitch. From learning needlework at school to running her own sewing business and eventually finding her place on the factory floor, Lisa’s journey reflects a lifelong love of making.
She shares what surprised her about moving from dressmaking into upholstery, what a typical day looks like and why the smallest details matter so much in every handmade piece.
How did you first get into sewing?
When I was in school, I took needlework. You had to take it anyway, but I enjoyed it so much. That’s what gave me the push to sew. Once I learned the basics, I started making my own clothes. From about the age of 14, I could make myself something to wear.
What does a typical day look like on the factory floor?
Busy. Once I walk in, I get straight to it. Every chair takes time and patience, so the day flies.
Do you remember the first thing you ever made?
Yes, it was a suit for my exam; a jacket and skirt.
How many chairs do you make a week, roughly?
I am quite slow because I am new to this. The handling is different from dressmaking, so I am still getting used to it. I make about twelve chairs a week. Some of the girls do a lot more.
What would you say are the main differences between dressmaking and furniture-making?
There’s not a huge difference. Sewing is sewing. Clothes are wearable of course, but the skills overlap more than people think.
In garment factories, you usually work on one job. I used to do collars all day. But I could jump onto other machines if needed. Here, you make the whole chair yourself, which is very different. You put your identity tag on each piece. The tags get hidden once the chair is turned through - but they are still there.
What part of making a chair do you enjoy the most and why?
The seat wrap. It feels like a puzzle with lots of little pieces you have to fit together. I enjoy that.
What is something people might be surprised to learn about the sewing work behind each chair?
That none of it is mass-produced by machines. People like that it is all handmade. When you see a chair, you don’t realise how many small pieces go into it. It’s very intricate, and it’s all done by hand.
Which parts of the process require the most precision or care?
All of it! Every seam has to be accurate. Every piece matters.
Do you have a favourite fabric to work with?
Corduroy has a nice feel. Leather can be tricky - it’s slippery, so it can move as you put it under the machine. You need to adjust your sewing technique.
Did you work by yourself before?
Yes. I was self employed for about 18 years doing sewing and alterations. I worked with two bridal shops. They closed during lockdown and didn’t reopen, and I became fed up working for myself. I wanted to go out and work with people. The only factories left then were upholstery, and I had never done it before or fancied it. But once I started here I enjoyed it.
What keeps you passionate about sewing after so many years?
I just love it. I go home on weekends and I have my own sewing room. I have an industrial machine and an overlocker [a specialised sewing machine]. I’m making myself a denim jacket at the moment. We’ve just come back from a festival, and I made our costumes for that.
I even had an Etsy shop when I was self employed. I made reusable makeup wipes, soap savers, sandwich wraps and face cloths. I might restart it in the future.
And finally, what do you enjoy most about being part of a team that makes handmade chairs?
The girls, and being part of something unique and really special.
It’s this dedication from people like Lisa, and the wider team around her, that turns raw materials into something personal, lasting and made to support everyday life. If you’d like to find out more about our handcrafted chairs, or to try one out first-hand, just give us a call. Our team will be happy to help.
