sewnplank

Sewnplank is a term used in woodworking and design to describe a type of engineered wooden panel produced by stitching together narrow boards or veneers to form a single flat or curved surface. The technique combines multiple thin planks with a high-tensile thread or wire, typically routed with through-holes along the stitch lines, allowing a continuous panel that can be shaped before final bonding.

Manufacturing usually involves arranging veneers or narrow boards, drilling through-holes, threading durable fiber or wire through the holes in a specified pattern, and adding adhesive between layers. The stitched assembly is then compressed in a hot or cold press until the adhesive cures, after which the panel is finished. The result is a lightweight, dimensionally stable panel with a wood-grain that appears continuous across the stitched joints.

Applications include furniture components, interior wall and ceiling panels, and lightweight architectural elements where bending or curved layouts are desired. Sewnplank panels can be formed into arcs or complex curves and can be finished with coatings, laminates, or veneers for aesthetic or protective purposes. Outdoor use requires appropriate sealants and resin systems to resist moisture and UV exposure.

History and variation: The concept draws on older practices in boatbuilding, where planks were sewn or lashed to frames, and it has appeared in contemporary design as a method to create large, seamless wooden surfaces. The term sewnplank is used primarily in design and research contexts and may refer to different stitching patterns and bonding chemistries depending on the supplier or studio.

Related terms include plywood, veneer-based composites, and laminated timber.