SkinLace: Freestanding Lace by Machine Embroidery for On-Skin Interface

What is it about?

Freestanding lace is a method to create a lace by machine embroidery. Lace has advantages compared to the other fabrics in terms of skin-compatibility, weight, and aesthetics. Here, we present SkinLace, a freestanding lace by machine embroidery for on-skin interface. Conductive thread, water-soluble stabilizer, and home embroidery machine can create SkinLace, which is aesthetic, light, skin-compatible, body-conforming, durable, and inexpensive. The freestanding lace approach enables aesthetic customizable lace and patches through a combination of non-conductive and colorful threads. We propose three different applications of SkinLace; on-skin displays, capacitive touch sensing, and RFID tag antenna. Tension of the thread in the embroidery machine and the accuracy of the stitch are the main challenges, but the advantages and potential to create more complex circuitry and to enhance sensing capability present rich opportunities for further exploration.

Featured Image

Photo by alex bracken on Unsplash

Photo by alex bracken on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Lace, a decorative fabric that consists of open motifs, can be attractive compared to other on-skin interfaces. It is semi-transparent thanks to the voids around the motif, so it guarantees high ventilation, breathability, lightweight, and aesthetic looks. Furthermore, the lace is not subject to the 2D rectangular shape – it is free to have any shapes, which is a big advantage to make it conformal to the 3D body surface. Also, its edges are innately finished unlike other techniques (weaving or knitting) requiring a finish on the edge to prevent fraying. In spite of the merits, lace has not had a strong presence in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) except in one instance, which might be because it mostly needs large industrial lace making machines. However, our approach, which we call SkinLace, does not require the factory-size machines but a home-embroidery machine by utilizing a water-soluble stabilizer. The freestanding lace is appropriate for fabrication of an on-skin interface that affords various shapes and customization based on the user’s preference and comfort.

Perspectives