Beissel Shop - Blog

Quality Standards Certification

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 18:38:53 +0000

BIS Certification: The Only Proven Standard of Needle Quality in India

Walk into any needle dealer’s shop and you will hear many claims. “German quality.” “Japanese technology.” “Loop Control.” “SAN 10.” There is a simple question that cuts through all of them: how do you know whether any of these claims are true? The answer is standards. And in India, that standard is BIS.

A quality sewing machine needle is not defined by advertising claims, technical-sounding terms, or attractive packaging. It is defined by measurable engineering standards. In India, that standard is BIS. In Japan, it is JIS. Internationally, it is ISO. BIS certification is the most objective proof of needle quality available to a buyer in India today.

TWO SEPARATE STANDARDS

One for Industrial. One for Household. Both Matter

BIS does not have a single needle standard. It has two — because industrial and household needles are different products, serving different machines, operating under different conditions, and requiring different engineering specifications.

IS 15169:2002 covers the needles used in garment factories, leather goods units, embroidery operations, and all other commercial sewing environments — DBx1, HAx1, UY128, DCx27, and others — operating at speeds of up to 10,000 stitches per minute.

IS 2181:2025 covers the 130/705 system needles used in domestic sewing machines — Usha, Janome, Singer, Brother, and all other home sewing machines sold in India. Established in 2025, it brings household needles under the same rigorous framework that has governed industrial needles since 2002.

Both standards are aligned with the corresponding JIS standards for needles — the Japanese Industrial Standards that are among the most demanding needle quality benchmarks in the world.

“Having certification under both standards is significantly more demanding than certification under either one alone. It requires separate testing, separate factory verification, and continuous compliance across two distinct product categories.”

Beissel and King are the only sewing machine needle brands in India certified by BIS for both industrial and household needles.

IS 15169:2002 · IS 2181:2025

MORE COMPLEX THAN IT LOOKS

What BIS Actually Measures

Most people see a sewing machine needle as a small piece of steel. In reality it is a precision engineering product. To verify performance, BIS evaluates seven critical parameters. A weakness in any one can lead to thread breakage, skipped stitches, fabric damage, and premature needle failure.

1. Wire Composition

S 15169:2002 and IS 2181:2025 both specify the chemical composition of the steel wire from which needles are made. This includes mandatory limits on carbon, chromium, vanadium, manganese, silicon, phosphorus, and sulphur. These elements determine strength, elasticity, wear resistance, hardness, and fatigue life. Two wires with similar carbon content but different vanadium or chromium levels can perform entirely differently in manufacturing and in use.

2. Needle Straightness

BIS limits the maximum permissible bend to only 0.10 mm. A needle that appears perfectly straight to the eye can still fail this test. Even a slight bend affects stitch formation, causes skipped stitches, increases thread breakage, and can damage the machine mechanism. Straightness is measured after all manufacturing operations are complete.

3. Tip Hardness

BIS specifies a minimum tip hardness of 750 HV (Vickers). This is not about sharpness alone — sharpness is the starting point. What matters is how long the tip retains its shape under operating conditions. At 10,000 stitches per minute, needle tip temperatures can reach 300°C within seconds. A soft tip blunts rapidly, causing larger holes, thread breakage, skipped stitches, and garment rejections.

4. Elasticity and Bending Performance

A needle must be hard enough to resist wear and elastic enough to bend under load without permanent deformation. BIS includes specific bending and breaking angle requirements. Too hard and the needle becomes brittle and breaks under lateral load. Too soft and it bends permanently, causing skipped stitches and stitch irregularity. The correct balance requires precise wire composition, heat treatment, and controlled tempering

5. Chrome Plating

BIS specifies that the chrome plating on a finished needle must be between 3 and 5 microns in thickness. Proper plating reduces friction, lowers heat generation during high-speed sewing, improves corrosion resistance, and extends service life. Plating that is too thin wears away quickly. Plating that is uneven or poorly adhered — typically caused by surface defects in inferior wire — leads to thread fraying, increased heating, and premature needle failure.

6. Eye Finish

The needle eye is where the sewing thread is most vulnerable. The thread passes through this opening continuously during sewing — at 10,000 stitches per minute, the thread passes through the eye approximately 300,000 times per minute. BIS requires the eye to be smooth and free from burrs, rough edges, and surface defects. Altek Beissel uses chemical deburring — a process that removes 10 microns from the needle surface after forming, leaving the eye completely smooth.

7. Groove Geometry

The groove running along the needle blade protects the sewing thread during fabric penetration. BIS and JIS both specify groove dimensions precisely: width and depth must be 40% of the needle diameter. For a size 100 needle, that is 0.40 mm. These dimensions are achievable only by precision milling. Pressed grooves — used by some manufacturers as a cost-saving measure — cannot achieve the specified depth, expose the thread to abrasion, and often leave the blade thicker than the standard permits, creating larger holes in the fabric.

“Claims are easy. Proof is what matters. BIS certification is that proof.”

NOT A ONE-TIME APPROVAL

BIS Certification Is Ongoing

Many people assume BIS certification is obtained once and held permanently. It is not. BIS continuously monitors certified manufacturers. Factory inspectors have unrestricted access to manufacturing processes, quality systems, testing equipment, calibration records, and production documentation.

In addition, BIS purchases certified needles from the open market and sends them to independent laboratories for testing. A manufacturer cannot obtain certification and then relax quality controls. Every batch must continue to meet the same requirements.

Factory Inspections

BIS officers visit manufacturing facilities to verify processes, equipment, and records

Market Surveillance

BIS purchases needles from the open market and tests them at independent laboratories

Calibration Checks

Testing equipment and measuring instruments must be calibrated and documented

Production Records

Batch-level records demonstrating consistent compliance must be maintained

THE BOTTOM LINE

What BIS Certification Means for the Buyer

When you buy a BIS-certified needle, you are not buying a brand’s promise. You are buying the result of independent verification — wire composition tested, tip hardness measured, groove geometry checked, plating thickness confirmed, and factory processes audited.

A Fact Worth Knowing

Beissel and King are the only sewing machine needle brands in India certified by BIS — under IS 15169:2002 for industrial needles and IS 2181:2025 for household needles.

Every Beissel needle is manufactured at our factory in Tamil Nadu using German needle-making technology and Japanese high-carbon steel wire, and passes through 155 quality checks before leaving the factory. In an independent evaluation by SATRA of the United Kingdom, Beissel needles outperformed leading German and Japanese brands.

Many brands make quality claims. BIS certification provides independent verification. That is the difference.

COMMON QUESTIONS

About BIS Certification and Needle Standards

What is the difference between IS 15169:2002 and IS 2181:2025?

IS 15169:2002 is the BIS standard for industrial sewing machine needles — the needles used in garment factories, leather goods production, embroidery units, and other commercial sewing operations. IS 2181:2025 is the BIS standard for household sewing machine needles — the 130/705 system needles used in domestic machines such as Usha, Janome, Singer, and Brother. Both standards are aligned with the corresponding JIS standards. Having certification under both is significantly more demanding than certification under either one alone.

What does BIS certification actually check?

BIS certification verifies wire composition, needle straightness, tip hardness, bending performance, chrome plating thickness, eye finish, groove geometry, and overall dimensional accuracy. Certification is not a one-time event. BIS conducts ongoing factory inspections and also purchases certified needles from the open market for independent laboratory testing. A manufacturer cannot obtain certification and then relax quality controls — every batch must continue to meet the same requirements.

Why does groove design matter so much?

The groove is the only protection the sewing thread has during the fraction of a second the needle is inside the fabric. BIS and JIS specify that groove depth and width must be 40% of the needle diameter. This is achievable only by precision milling. Some manufacturers use a pressed groove — cheaper to produce but unable to achieve the specified dimensions. The result is higher thread breakage, poor stitch quality, and a blade that is thicker than the standard permits, creating larger holes in the fabric.

Is BIS certification the same as ISO certification?

No. ISO 9001 covers a manufacturer’s quality management system — processes and documentation. It does not certify that the product meets any specific technical standard. BIS product certification under IS 15169:2002 or IS 2181:2025 certifies that the needle itself meets defined engineering specifications for materials, dimensions, hardness, and performance. A manufacturer can hold ISO 9001 and still produce needles that fail BIS standards. The two are not equivalent.

Why are so few needle brands BIS certified?

BIS certification requires significant investment in manufacturing infrastructure, testing equipment, quality systems, and ongoing compliance. It also requires transparency — BIS factory inspectors have unrestricted access to production records, testing data, and raw material documentation. Many needle brands operating in India source their products from manufacturers who have not been certified and cannot demonstrate compliance with Indian standards

Does BIS certification apply to all needle types?

IS 15169:2002 covers industrial sewing machine needles across all standard systems — DBx1, HAx1 industrial, UY128, DCx27, and others. IS 2181:2025 covers household sewing machine needles in the 130/705 system. Beissel holds certification under both standards — the only needle manufacturer in India with BIS certification for both industrial and household needles.

BIS Certified. Both Industrial and Household.

IS 15169:2002 · IS 2181:2025 · Made in India. To German Standards.

SHOP BEISSEL CERTIFIED NEEDLES

Household Sewing · Needle Guide

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 13:34:46 +0000

The Right Needle Changes Everything. Most Indian Sewers Have Never Had the Choice.

A complete guide to home sewing machine needles — the 15 types, what each one does, and why the needle you are using right now may be the reason your sewing disappoints. You bought a beautiful sewing machine. You watched the YouTube videos. You followed every step. And yet — the stitches skip, the thread breaks, the fabric puckers, the finish disappoints. The machine is fine. The technique is fine. The problem, almost certainly, is a tiny piece of steel you have never thought to question: the needle.

Ask any Indian home sewer what needle they use. Almost everyone will say the same thing: HAx1, size 100/16. The needle that came in the little plastic packet with the machine. The needle the dealer handed over. The needle available at every notions shop in the country.

t is a perfectly good general-purpose needle. For plain cotton fabric, lockstitch sewing, and standard polyester thread, it does its job. But here is what no one tells you when you buy the machine: the HAx1 100/16 is one needle type, in one size, out of a range of fifteen. It was never designed to sew stretch fabric, silk, denim, leather, metallic thread, or embroidery. It was never intended for overlocking, hemstitching, or quilting through multiple layers.

Yet that is exactly what Indian sewers ask it to do — day after day, project after project. And then wonder why the results do not match what they see on YouTube, where the sewer in the video is using the right needle for the right fabric and the right stitch.

“The machine is not the difference. The needle is.”

This is not a criticism of the HAx1. It is a criticism of the fact that, until now, no other needle type was readily available in India. You cannot use what you cannot buy. Beissel changes that.

THE NEEDLE IS NOT A SIMPLE THING

A Precision Instrument

A sewing machine needle is a precision instrument. It penetrates fabric at up to 1,000 times per minute, carrying thread through the material to form a stitch. The shape of the point, the size of the eye, the design of the groove — each determines whether your thread flows smoothly, your fabric is pierced cleanly, and your stitch forms correctly.

There is no single needle that does all of this well for every material and every application. Four distinct variables govern which needle you need, and each one can pull in a different direction.

FOUR VARIABLES. ONE RIGHT NEEDLE.

Why 15 Types Exist

The 15 types of home sewing needles exist because sewing involves four variables — and the ideal needle must be engineered around all four at once.

THE MAKERS OF THE MACHINES

Who Builds Schiffli Machines — The Global Manufacturers

Schiffli machines are produced by a small number of highly specialised manufacturers. Understanding who makes the machines matters because it directly determines which needle system is required.

1. FABRIC	2. THREAD
Cotton, silk, denim, leather, knit, synthetic, technical	Cotton, polyester, rayon, metallic, embroidery, topstitch

3. POINT STYLE	4. STITCH TYPE
Round, ball, cutting, sharp, acute — each for a different fabric	Lockstitch, overlock, embroidery, quilting, decorative

“Choosing the right needle is the single most important step to getting the best performance from your machine and producing a superior finish on your work.”

THE COMPLETE RANGE

All 15 Types — What Each One Does and Why

Every needle below is part of the 130/705 system — the universal standard compatible with all home sewing machines sold in India: Usha, Janome, Singer, Brother, and others.

Made in India. To German Standards.

Every Beissel needle is manufactured at our factory in Tamil Nadu using German needle-making technology and Japanese high carbon steel wire. Each needle passes through 155 quality checks. Beissel and King are the only needle brands in India with BIS certification — for both industrial and household needles (IS 2181:2025). In an independent evaluation by SATRA of the United Kingdom, Beissel needles outperformed leading German and Japanese brands.

PLAIN WOVEN FABRICS

HAx1 — Universal

The general-purpose needle for plain cotton, linen, and polyester woven fabrics with standard thread. This is the needle that comes with your machine

STRETCH & KNIT FABRICS

HAx1 SUK — Stretch / Jersey

Ball point slips between fabric fibres rather than piercing them. Essential for jersey, spandex, lycra, and any stretch material.

FINE STRETCH FABRICS

HAx1 SES — Fine Stretch

Finer ball point for lightweight stretch fabrics — chiffon jersey, silk jersey, fine cotton lycra. More precise than the standard stretch needle.

HEAVY DENIM & CANVAS

HAx1 H-J — Denim / Jeans

Reinforced needle with modified point for penetrating multiple layers of denim, canvas, or heavy upholstery without deflection or breakage.

SILK, MICROFIBRE & FINE WOVENS

HAx1 H-M — Microtex

Extremely fine, acute point for tightly woven fabrics — microfibre, silk, fine batiste — without distorting the weave

MACHINE EMBROIDERY THREAD

HAx1 H-E — Embroidery

Larger, specially shaped eye protects delicate embroidery threads — rayon, viscose, polyester — from shredding during high-speed stitching.

METALLIC & SPECIALTY THREADS

HAx1 H-MET — Metallic

Elongated, polished eye accommodates metallic thread without friction damage. Clean, unbroken metallic stitching.

GENUINE & SYNTHETIC LEATHER

HAx1 H-LL — Leather

Cutting point slices cleanly through leather rather than pushing fibres aside. Clean, uniform holes without tearing or fraying.

QUILTING THROUGH MULTIPLE LAYERS

HAx1 H-Q — Quilting

Tapered point and reinforced shaft for stitching through multiple layers and wadding without deflection

TOPSTITCHING & DECORATIVE WORK

HAx1 H-S — Topstitch

Extra-large eye for thick topstitching thread. Sharp point for clean, precise stitch placement in visible decorative stitching

PARALLEL DOUBLE STITCHING

HAx1 H-ZWI — Twin Needle

Two needles on a single shank, producing two parallel rows of stitching in one pass. Ideal for pintucks and jersey hemming.

TECHNICAL & PERFORMANCE FABRICS

HAx1 H-DRI — Dri-Weave

Engineered for moisture-wicking, performance sportswear, and coated fabrics where standard needles cause skipped stitches.

EASE OF USE

HAx1 H-SD — Self-Threading

Two needles on a single shank, producing two parallel rows of stitching in one pass. Ideal for pintucks and jersey hemming.

HIGH-SPEED & SYNTHETIC FABRICS

EL x 705 CR — Chromium

Chromium-coated needle runs cooler at high speeds. Reduces heat-related fabric damage and extends needle life

EASE OF USE

EL x 705 SUK — Overlock Stretch

If the Schiffli machine is the orchestra, the needle is the instrument. With up to 2,200 needles driving through fabric thousands of times per minute, the needle is under extraordinary mechanical stress. Its design must be exact — for the machine it serves, the thread it carries, and the fabric it penetrates.

Schiffli needles are not interchangeable across machine brands. The two primary needle systems are defined by the machine manufacturer, and using the wrong system will compromise both performance and machine integrity.

THE WORLD HAS KNOWN THIS FOR OVER A DECADE

India Is Just Finding Out.

Beissel Home Sewing needles have been exported to and sought after across all continents for more than ten years. Sewers and dealers in Europe, the Americas, Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Australia have long known what Indian sewers are only now discovering — that a Beissel household needle delivers a level of precision, consistency, and finish that transforms the sewing experience.

India’s own needle, trusted by the world, is finally home.”

The same needle that has earned a global reputation for quality is now available in India, on Beissel Shop — manufactured right here in Tamil Nadu, certified by BIS, and priced transparently. You no longer need to import it, request it, or go without.

A Note for Dealers

Until now, Indian sewers had no real choice of needle type. Whatever was stocked locally was what they used — and they blamed their machines, their thread, or their technique when things went wrong.

The Beissel Home Sewing range changes this conversation entirely. When a customer comes to you with a sewing problem — thread breakage, skipped stitches, fabric damage — you can now ask the right question: “Are you using the right needle for that fabric and thread?”

In most cases, they are not. Because until Beissel, the right needle was simply not available in India. Stocking the complete Beissel range means stocking the answer to nearly every sewing problem your customers face.

COMMON QUESTIONS

About Home Sewing Needles

Can I use a HAx1 needle for all types of sewing?

No. The HAx1 is a general-purpose needle for plain woven fabrics with standard thread. It is not designed for stretch fabrics, silk, denim, leather, metallic thread, embroidery, overlocking, or quilting. Using it for the wrong application causes thread breakage, skipped stitches, and poor finish — problems that are almost always blamed on the machine or the sewer, when the needle is the real culprit

Why are there so many types of home sewing needles?

Four variables determine which needle works best: the fabric (cotton, silk, denim, leather), the thread (cotton, polyester, rayon, metallic), the point style (round, ball, cutting, sharp), and the stitch type (lockstitch, overlock, embroidery). Each combination demands a needle designed for it.

Which needle system fits Indian home sewing machines?

All home sewing machines sold in India — Usha, Janome, Singer, Brother — use the 130/705 system. Every needle in the Beissel Home Sewing range is manufactured to this standard.

What is a BIS certified sewing needle?

BIS certification from the Bureau of Indian Standards confirms that a needle meets the Indian standard IS 2181:2025 for dimensions, hardness, groove geometry, and performance. Beissel is the only needle brand in India with BIS certification for both industrial and household needles.

What needle should I use for knit fabric?

Use the HAx1 SUK (stretch needle). Its ball point slips between the loops of knit fabric rather than piercing the fibres, preventing skipped stitches, runs, and fabric damage. For very fine knit fabric, use the HAx1 SES instead.

How often should I change my sewing machine needle?

Change the needle after every major project, or after 8–10 hours of continuous sewing. A blunt needle is the most common cause of thread breakage and skipped stitches — and the most commonly overlooked. When in doubt, change it.

What size needle should I use?

Size 70–75 for fine fabrics (silk, chiffon); size 80–90 for medium fabrics (cotton, polyester); size 100–110 for heavy fabrics (denim, canvas, leather). Match needle size to both the thread weight and the fabric weight together.

Can I use industrial needles in my home sewing machine?

No. Home sewing machines use the 130/705 needle system. Industrial machines use different systems — DBx1, HAx1 industrial, and others — which are not interchangeable with household machines.

Meet Priya — Your Needle Selection Guide

Not sure which needle to use? Priya is Beissel’s AI assistant, available on beisselshop.com to answer any question about needle selection, fabric compatibility, and machine setup — any time, instantly. Tell Priya what you are sewing and she will tell you exactly which needle to use.

The Right Needle for Every Project

Complete Beissel Home Sewing range — BIS certified, made in India, priced transparently.

SHOP HOME SEWING NEEDLES

Industry Guide - Embroidery

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 11:11:39 +0000

The Little Boat That Changed the World of Textile

Schiffli embroidery from a Swiss village in the 19th century to the bridal gowns, curtains, and fashion pieces that define elegance today. A complete guide for everyone in the embroidery business: the history, the machines, the needles, and the craft.

A Schiffli machine spanning the length of a factory bay — every needle embroiders the same motif at the same moment.

Somewhere in a factory right now, a machine the length of a cricket pitch is embroidering the same intricate motif on two thousand points of fabric — simultaneously. In the time it takes you to read this sentence, it has completed hundreds of stitches. This is Schiffli embroidery: industrial in scale, jewel-like in precision, and built on a technology that has been evolving since the 19th century.

WHERE IT ALL BEGAN

The Little Boat: Origin of the Name and the Craft

The word Schiffli comes from the Swiss-German word for little boat — a reference to the boat-shaped shuttle used in the earliest machines. It is a small detail that carries a great deal of history.

Schiffli embroidery originated in Switzerland in the late 19th century, growing out of a long tradition of hand embroidery in the Swiss canton of St. Gallen. As demand for embroidered textiles grew — for fashion, for home furnishings, for ecclesiastical use — hand embroidery alone could not keep pace. The Schiffli machine was the answer: a mechanical loom that could replicate the finest hand embroidery across an entire width of fabric, stitch by stitch, at a speed no human hand could match.

What began as an industrial solution to a production problem became an art form in its own right. Today, Schiffli embroidery is synonymous with the finest lace, the most delicate bridal fabric, and the most intricate decorative textiles produced anywhere in the world.

“What began as an industrial solution became an art form — the finest lace, the most intricate decorative textiles in the world.”

UNDERSTANDING THE TECHNOLOGY

The Schiffli Machine — Scale, Precision, and Simultaneous Stitching

A Schiffli machine is unlike anything else in the textile industry. It is a vast, precisely engineered structure — often spanning several yards in length — carrying hundreds, or in some configurations up to 2,200 needles, all working in absolute unison.

A Schiffli machine spanning the length of a factory bay — every needle embroiders the same motif at the same moment

Every needle on the machine embroiders the exact same motif at the exact same moment. A single pass produces a repeating pattern across the full width of the fabric. The machine can handle embroidery lengths of up to 30.5 metres in a single run. The result is a fabric that carries a consistent, flawless design from edge to edge — something that would take months to produce by hand.

Schiffli machines can work with multiple thread colours simultaneously, enabling complex multicoloured designs with the same efficiency as a single-colour run. They operate on a variety of fabrics — tulle, net, organza, chiffon, cotton, silk — making them as versatile as they are powerful

2,200

Needles Maximum Per Machine

30.5 m

Maximum Embroidery Length Per Run

1

Identical Motif Across Every Needle Simultaneously

THE MAKERS OF THE MACHINES

Who Builds Schiffli Machines — The Global Manufacturers

Schiffli machines are produced by a small number of highly specialised manufacturers. Understanding who makes the machines matters because it directly determines which needle system is required.

SWITZERLAND

Saurer

The leading name in Schiffli machines globally. Long-standing reputation for advanced technology and precision. Requires the S-system needle (e.g., 854 S).

SWITZERLAND

Lasser AG

Renowned for efficiency and intricate design capability. Innovation and precision engineering. Requires the L-system needle (e.g., L83).

GERMANY

ZSK Stickmaschinen

Known for durability and advanced features. Respected across European and export markets for high-volume production.

JAPAN

Hiraoka

Prominent in Asian markets. Reliable machines with technological sophistication, especially in high-speed applications.

GERMANY

Plauen Lace

A historic name in the German embroidery machine industry. Associated with the Plauen lace tradition — quality and precision its hallmarks

ITALY

Comerio

Italian craftsmanship in machine manufacturing. Known for sophisticated engineering and high-quality textile output.

THE HEART OF THE MACHINE

Schiffli Needles — Systems, Designations, and What They Mean

DESIGNATION	MACHINE	KEY DIFFERENCE	EXAMPLES
S System	Saurer machines	Specific threading direction and shank diameter matched to Saurer design	854 S 854 S TOP 110 S TOP
L System	Lasser machines	Different threading direction and shank diameter matched to Lässer design	L83 L83 TOP
SA Suffix	Both systems	Eye approximately 20% wider than standard — for heavy or decorative threads with slubs	854 SA L83 SA
TOP Suffix	Both systems	4 mm longer than standard (47.5 mm butt to eye) — for greater thread accommodation	854 S TOP L83 TOP 110 S TOP

Despite the differences between S and L systems, the butt-to-eye length, available sizes, and point styles remain consistent across both — ensuring dimensional uniformity wherever a needle performs its core function.

“The right needle is not a detail — it is a production decision. With thousands of needles running simultaneously, a single wrong specification multiplies into thousands of compromised stitches per minute.”

THE RANGE OF THE CRAFT

Six Varieties of Schiffli Embroidery — What Each One Achieves

Schiffli is not a single technique. It is a platform — one that has evolved to serve a remarkable range of decorative applications. Each variety places its own demands on the machine and the needle.

Eyelet Embroidery

Small perforations — in any two-dimensional shape — are cut into the fabric and rimmed with either cloth threads or metallic threads. Stitches placed precisely on the outer edges of each eyelet complete the design. The result is an open, airy pattern of great delicacy

Embroidery on Net

The base fabric is a net or mesh, onto which the embroidery design is built. The transparency of the base creates a visual depth that solid fabric cannot achieve — widely used in lingerie, overlays, and bridal fabric.

Guipure Embroidery

A technique defined by chemistry as much as craft. The base fabric is water-soluble — once the embroidery is complete, the base dissolves away, leaving only the stitched design. The freestanding lace produced this way is among the finest in the world.

Appliqué Embroidery

A second layer of fabric is loaded onto the upper roller of the machine at the outset. The base fabric is embroidered first; then the appliqué fabric is spread and secured, the front yarn cut, and the embroidery continues. The layered result adds texture, dimension, and colour contrast.

Border Embroidery

Specifically designed for the edges and borders of garments and textiles. Sarees, dupattas, table linen, and curtains use border embroidery to add a defined, decorative frame to the finished piece

All-Over Embroidery

The most comprehensive application: stitching runs continuously across the entire fabric surface from one edge to the other in a single repeating pattern, with distinct motifs at the start and end. The result is a fully embroidered fabric ready for cutting and construction.

WHERE SCHIFFLI GOES

Applications — From Bridal Gowns to Industrial Textile

Schiffli embroidery is found wherever precision, volume, and beauty must coexist. In fashion, it defines the surface of bridal gowns, evening wear, and haute couture pieces. In home textiles, it creates the curtains, table linen, and decorative fabrics that define spaces of quality and taste.

In the lingerie and intimate apparel industry, Schiffli net and guipure are the standard for fine-quality products. In ethnic wear — sarees, lehengas, dupattas, kurtas — all-over and border Schiffli embroidery delivers the kind of consistent, repeating motif that hand embroidery cannot produce at scale. Schiffli embroidery is also valued in industrial applications: uniforms, insignia, and branded textiles that require precise, high-volume embroidery to an exact and consistent standard.

Beissel Schiffli Needles — Precision Engineered for Every System

Altek Beissel Needles Limited manufactures Schiffli embroidery needles for both the S-system (Saurer) and L-system (Lässer) machines — including SA (wide eye) and TOP (extended length) variants — using German needle-making technology and Japanese high-carbon steel wire. Every Beissel needle passes through 155 quality checks before it reaches your machine. With thousands of needles operating simultaneously at high speed, consistency is not optional — it is essential. Beissel delivers that consistency, run after run.

Beissel is India’s only needle manufacturer with BIS certification for industrial needles. In an independent evaluation by SATRA of the United Kingdom, Beissel needles outperformed leading German and Japanese brands.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Common Questions About Schiffli Embroidery and Needles

What is Schiffli embroidery?

Schiffli embroidery is a form of machine embroidery produced on a large, multi-needle loom capable of embroidering the same motif across hundreds or thousands of points of fabric simultaneously. The name comes from the Swiss-German word for little boat, referring to the shuttle used in the earliest machines. It is the technology behind the finest bridal lace, ethnic wear embroidery, lingerie fabric, and decorative textiles produced anywhere in the world.

What is the difference between 854 S and L83 Schiffli needles?

The 854 S is the needle for Saurer machines (S-system) and the L83 is the needle for Lässer machines (L-system). The two systems differ in threading direction and shank diameter. They are not interchangeable. Despite these differences, the butt-to-eye length, available sizes, and point styles are consistent across both systems.

What does SA mean in a Schiffli needle designation?

SA denotes a wide-eye variant. The eye of an SA needle is approximately 20% wider than the standard needle of the same designation. This accommodates heavy or decorative threads — metallic threads, chunky embroidery threads, and specialty yarns — that would shred or jam in a standard eye. SA variants are available in both S-system (854 SA) and L-system (L83 SA).

What does TOP mean in a Schiffli needle designation?

TOP designates an extended-length variant, 4 mm longer than standard (47.5 mm from butt to eye). This additional length gives the thread more space to form the loop correctly, reducing skipped stitches in high-speed or multi-thread applications. TOP variants are available in both systems: 854 S TOP, L83 TOP, 110 S TOP.

Where can I buy Schiffli needles in India?

Beissel Schiffli needles — in both S-system and L-system, with SA and TOP variants — are available through authorised Beissel dealers across India and directly at beisselshop.com. Beissel is India’s only needle manufacturer with BIS certification for industrial needles, and the only Indian manufacturer to have had its needles independently tested and validated by SATRA of the United Kingdom.

The Right Needle for Every Schiffli Machine

S-system or L-system. Standard, SA, or TOP. Made in India, to the standard the world expects.

SHOP SCHIFFLI NEEDLES

History of Sewing Machine Needles and How it has Moved to India - Part 2 of 2

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 07:02:25 +0000

(Left – “Klenkes” (statue in Aachen, Germany, erected in honour of workers in Needle factories who separated the good and bad needles with their little fingers) Right- Mr S Ganesh, founder of Altek Beissel Needles Limited.)

Between the years 1992 and 95, Mr. Ganesh made several visits to Aachen, Germany, in single minded pursuit of setting up India’s first sewing machine needle factory. Mr Ganesh is a Chartered Accountant, Cost Accountant and Company Secretary with decades of experience in setting up new projects.

The drive of Lammertz and Mr Ganesh in their respective goals was destined to bring them together. A joint venture, Altek Lammertz Needles Limited, was formed in 1995 with Lammertz as an equal partner.

Lammertz management flew down from Germany in 1996 to finalise a business plan. Machines began to arrive at the Chennai plant from Germany. Functional experts followed to install the machine. The Indian technical team received extensive training in Germany.

High quality needle production begins

From day one, there was a laser-like focus on quality. We became the first Sewing Machine needle manufacturing company to win ISO and SATRA quality marks. The tests conclusively proved that Altek’s quality proved superior to Needles imported from Germany. Lammertz bought back the needles manufactured by us and sold all over the world in their four prestigious brands.

German sewing machine needle industry moves to India and then imploded!

Our plant was soon followed by that of Schmetz. The manufacture of sewing machine needles came to an end in Germany. Groz Beckert, though they never manufactured needles in Germany, also started a needle factory in India. Lammertz, Beka, Muva, Rhein, Schmetz all disappeared from Germany. Most of them were liquidated altogether after more than a century of existence. But, the German companies committed the folly of supplying materials, consumable and service at exaggerated prices to their Indian factories. They tried to manage Indian operations from distant Germany. Thanks to the brutal competitive conditions, they continued to bleed losses. In 2003, Lammertz along with the other three brands were acquired by a competitor and liquidated. Similar fate was to await 150-year old Schmetz some years later when they also sold out to the same competitor. All employees in Germany lost their jobs. The centuries of accumulated knowledge in Needle making was in danger of being lost as well. some years later when they also sold out to the same competitor. All employees in Germany lost their jobs. The centuries of accumulated knowledge in Needle making was in danger of being lost as well.

We successfully faced challenges

We lost the Lammertz brand but determined to remain an independent Indian company. Action and success came thick and fast-

2006 – We bought the rights to the name BEISSEL which itself was 150-year old company. We changed our name to Altek Beissel Needles Limited

2007 – Range of Needles was expanded and offered needles for woven, knit, embroidery and leather sectors. We began exports to over 50 countries around the world.

2008 – Entire range of Home Sewing Needles were developed. Prestigious brands in Europe switched their sourcing to us from other German brands. Therefore, needles reached all over the world via this route as well.

2010 – A new brand call King needles was introduced specifically for the Indian market aimed at MSME units. For the first time, they could experience top quality needles at attractive prices. King became an overnight success.

2015 – We started offering the entire range of Home sewing machine needles in our own brand BEISSEL aimed at the hobby market in developed countries.

2019 – We eliminated clutter in pricing models. In Household needles, it is “any needle, one price” now. In industrial needles, just four price groups instead of dozens followed by competitors.

Presently, we are one of just three companies around the world offering the entire range in industrial and home sewing machine needles. We pioneered the transfer of sewing machine needle industry to India. BEISSEL is conscious of being inheritors to the legacy of two centuries of Needle making. We are committed to carry forward the developments and put India on the world map as leaders in Sewing Machine Needles.

Also see: History of Sewing Machine Needles Part 1 of 2

Top Ten Tips for Sewing with Universal Needles

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 04:55:28 +0000

Enjoy sewing with confidence with Beissel top quality Needles. 1 Needle Always use Beissel Universal (130-705 HU Universal) needle. This is the ideal needle for all general purpose sewing. Home sewing needles run at speeds up to 750 stitches per minute and even that in most cases sewing is intermittent.

1	Needle	Always use Beissel Universal (130-705 HU Universal) needle. This is the ideal needle for all general purpose sewing. Home sewing needles run at speeds up to 750 stitches per minute and even that in most cases sewing is intermittent. So, they are nickel plated which has served well for as long as one can remember. Chrome is harmful to environment because of the effluent the plating generates. Avoid any chrome plated needles for regular home sewing.
2	Needle	The needle point is likely to become dull after about 8 hours of sewing. It will begin to make a bigger hole and a “punching sound” making the machine work harder. A needle is the least expensive item in your project. Do not wait for the needle to break. Change to a nice fresh needle after 8 hours of sewing or when starting a new project. Your sewing machine will work as it is new!
3	Needle	Beissel Universal Needles are available in a wide range of sizes- 60/8, 70/10, 75/11, 80/12, 90/14, 100/16, 110/18 and 120/19. Use this guide for selecting the right size – Lightweight fabrics such as georgette or organdy – 60/8 Medium-weight jersey, Lycra, linen, or calf leather – 70/10 or 80/12 Heavy fabrics like jeans, vinyl, upholstery or canvas- 90/14 or 100/16; and Very heavy fabrics. 110/18 or 120/19.
4	Thread	Polyester is an all-purpose thread. The thread is heat resistant in addition to being strong and colorfast. Polyester threads are often coated with silicone or wax finish to allow them to slide through the fabric easily. For regular woven garment sewing, polyester is perfect choice.
5	Sewing problem	Skipped stitches- check the machine setting. Or thread quality. If you cut about two feet good quality thread and hold both ends, it must hang like a necklace. A poor quality thread will not and most likely cause skipped stitch.
6	Sewing problem	Needle breakage – if you needle breaks often, check the tip of broken piece. If it is damaged, it means the needle has hit a machine part- throat plate or shuttle hook. In such cases needle will break only at Scarf. If it has broken at the blade, it means needle has been pulled when thread is still attached. In that case needle will break only at blade but never in Scarf.
7	Sewing problem	Thread cut – Good quality Needles have superbly polished eye which is done by deburring techniques. Cheap needles cannot afford this and, if you examine under microscope, will see rough edges in eye. This will cause thread breakage. A damaged shuttle hook or throat plate also will cause thread breakage.
8	Plating	Home sewing machine needles are nickel plated about 3 microns. The Home sewing machines run at less than 1000 stitches per minute an even that very intermittently. The heat heat generation will be minimal. Therefore, there is no need to buy chrome plated needles which are not only expensive but hazardous to environment.
9	Packaging	Home users are used to plastic packaging. These are once-use plastic which then damage environment. Go forBeissel Eco paper packaging!
10	Pre-wash fabric	Highly recommended. Fabrics shrink, chemical colours will run … all these will spoil the garment if washed after project is completed. Can cause puckering if unwashed.

The Story of Beissel – “The Brand Behind Brands”

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 07:01:17 +0000

The history of needles began, not in Aachen, Germany, but Redditch, a short distance away from Birmingham, England. The story begins in 16th century and Redditch went on to become world famous for its high quality hand sewing needles. Sewing Machine itself was to be discovered three centuries later.

At its peak, 90% of the world’s hand sewing needles were produced at Redditch. There were more than 100 Hand Sewing Needle companies employing 15,000 persons by 19th century. The variety of hand sewing needles displayed boggles the mind – long, short, thick, thin, straight, curved, sharp, blunt, flat, pointed… the variety is endless. They found applications not just in sewing clothes. Embroidery, pins, fishhooks, fishing tackle, harpoons, sail hooks, sailors’ palms, knitting pins, and bodkins, surgery, fishing ……

The fetish for elaborate dress sense during Victorian times, industrial revolution and innovation carried the English domination to stratospheric heights by 19th century.

1860 onwards – Rise of Aachen, Germany, and decline of Redditch, England

In the meantime, a continent away in America, inventors Isaac Singer and Elias Howe battled over patent rights for inventing the sewing machine. Howe won the battle in the Courts but, eventually, Singer was the winner in market place. He bought the patents, improved on the machine and introduced path-breaking concept of instalment sale of sewing machines. This revolutionised cloth making in coming years. Thereby, arose the need for Sewing Machine needles.

Another interesting reason is contained in the fact that, in the long Needle manufacturing process, the best paid job was also the most dangerous operation of Pointing of needle. The iron dust generated in this operation was inhaled by the worker causing high mortalities. In 1845, a Colin Banks of Reddich invented Point grinding machine. But, the British workers smashed this machine in anger. Banks goes to Aachen, Germany, and sells this machine. This seemingly innocuous event was to change the landscape of needle industry and its shift to Aachen and gradual fading away of Redditch from needle map.

Mr. Stephan Beissel was the first off the block setting up needle company on 13th October 1853 in Germany. Wins a Medal in the First Industrial Exhibition in London. On 1st October 1861, Mr. Leo Lammertz set up a factory in Aachen, Germany, to manufacture Sewing Machine needles. He pioneered die press and other critical operations for fast production, high quality and similar challenges that sewing machine demanded. Other companies followed. Rheinische Nadelfabriken (later known as Rheinnadel) acquired many needle companies including Walter Hesse which was set up in 1654.

In 1859, William Gustavo Prym starts production of needle and is to grow as a big haberdashery company even to this day. The growth was aided by Berlin becoming the cradle of apparel industry by 1860. Germany also emerged as a pioneer in manufacture of all varieties of sewing machines. By 1900, there were 34 needle companies in Aachen employing 4,092 workers. The growth continued in the early 1900s. Singer Nahmachinen started in 30th Nov 1922 near Aachen. Schmetz started Sewing machine needle factory in 1922.

German manufacturers of machines to make needles wanted to export the capital equipment abroad and refused request of needle industry not to do so. Needle manufacturers retaliated by deciding not to share needle knowledge and started building their own machines. So needle making becomes a exclusive club with Aachen ruling the world.

Even the devastation of Germany during Second World War was overcome, factories re-built. By 1949, Aachen produced 70% of sewing machine needles, 40% of Hand sewing needles and 80% of pins and safety pins. Beginning with Emperor Charlemagne in 12th century and until 17th century, Aachen was the political seat from which Europe was ruled. Now, Aachen ruled the Needle world.

Decline of Aachen, Germany, and rise of India and Beissel

The first signs was the decisive shifting of garment manufacturing to Asia in the 1980s and the giants were China and India. The post-war prosperity in Germany was to work against for Needle industry. The garment industry, which is labour intensive, rapidly declined in Europe. There was bitter competition among needle manufacturers because the Asian manufacturers were cost conscious. The Germans resorted to take over and number of needle manufactures came down. In 1995, Rheinnadel bought the brands of Leo Lammertz, Beka and Muva.

The green shoots of Needle industry in India began in 1996 when Altek bought the machines from LeoLammertz on its being shut down. Rheinnadel approached Altek for a joint venture sensing an opportunity to move to a low cost location and growing garment industry in India. This gave Altek access to world class technology and learnt skills to manufacture a complete needle range of high quality. Altek quickly grew, started exporting needles back to Rheinnadel who re-sold them all over the world in the brands of Lammertz, Beka, Muva and Rhein. The packing was marked Made in Germany!

Then Schmetz followed too and started two factories in India. Groz Beckert followed suit and started a factory in Chandigarh, India. Schmetz and Groz Beckert (the latter never had a factory in Germany in the first place) were reluctant to tell the world that the needles were made in India and tried hard to keep the world under the impression that needles were of German origin. Competition continued to be ruthless. They had to contend with Altek in India and elsewhere too. Rheinnadel threw in the towel in 2003 and sold out to Groz Beckert giving away the brands Rhein, Beka, Muva and Lammertz.

Altek had relationship with Rheinnadel as a joint venture and should have been on the cross-hairs as well. But, Altek fought – to paraphrase Churchill – in the courts, in Indian market and in world markets. To cut a long story short, Altek escaped the reach of Groz Beckert, registered Trade Mark rights to Beissel brand and lived to fight another day. It was a battle worth of a David Vs Goliath. Groz Beckert and Schmetz started undercutting each other, gave extended credit and gave up minimum order requirements.

Burdened by financial losses over a decade, Schmetz collapsed in 2017 and sold out to Groz Beckert. Even the pretence of a German needle manufacturing company has now come to an end. Pundits had for many years predicted that Groz Beckert’s financial muscle and predatory corporate culture will prevail – price cutting and unlimited credit were strong weapons. In addition, at least in our opinion, the supposed prowess of Groz Beckert needles (SAN, Loop Control et al) were unprovable at the least and counted on gullibility of customers at worst.

Altek’s strategy was to win customers by sticking to fundamentals. Offer a large range of top quality needles as per German DIN standards manufactured from German/Japanese High Carbon Steel wire. Backed by unbeatable price and service.

Marquee brands in the world (including those mentioned in this blog which played a role in the rise of Germany as a needle manufacturing world power) source household needles exclusively from us.

In India, our King brand has emerged as clear favourites to be #1 brand

Altek has eliminated clutter in pricing models. In Household needles, it is “any needle, one price” now. In industrial needles, just four price groups instead of dozens followed by competitors.

Packing will now be only paper. We are the first to throw away plastic packaging. The competitors will need to inevitably follow

Altek, which was the brand behind the brands Rhein, Beka, Muva, Lammertz and other marquee names mentioned earlier, has decided that it is now time to emerge strongly in its own name. The name “Beissel” will be continued as a tribute to the German contribution to the world in needle making. “King” will be Altek’s own brand dedicated to India.

The time has come to emerge strongly be ourselves.

Forge Mill Museum in Reddich and Art of Needle making

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 13:10:16 +0000

I had always connected the city of Reddich as the hometown of ENTACO Ltd, the last of the Hand Sewing Machine needle company in England. It was only recently that I learnt that Reddich was the epicentre of all the dramatic developments in hand sewing needle making for hundreds of years beginning 16th century.

The western religious texts supposedly mentions needle as one of the five tools brought to Paradise by Adam! The trend for grand personal adornment by garments was quite the rage in 16th century and needles were in demand. Around the 1600s it was an exotic and rare object. A silver or gold needle was considered a splendid gift amongst the wealthy. Needles were such a useful and indispensable tool that an anecdote circulating in 1850 was that needles can be exchanged for a wife in Sudan! North Americans supposedly bartered land for pockets of needles.

The Spaniards were reportedly the masters of needle making, passing their skills on to the British in early 16th century. Prior to Spanish needle workers arriving in England, needles were crude and rough in manufacture, typically carried out by a blacksmith. The English needle makers began importing the specially drawn wire from Spain and Germany, who excelled in drawing wire, and final fabrication of the needle was further developed by the English. The small town of Redditch went on to become world famous for its high quality manufacturing of handmade sewing needles. The use of water power to polish the needles since the early 1700’s, had given the Redditch area a technical advantage over the competition. At its peak, Reddich produced 90% of the world’s Hand sewing needles.

Forge Mill Needle Museum in Reddich, England, tells the fascinating and sometimes gruesome story of needle making in Victorian times. It was a cold Thursday morning on 3rd April 2019 and I decided to visit this museum. An hour’s train journey from London to Birmingham, followed by a 20-minute travel by local train and a short taxi ride took me to its doorstep.

The museum comprises two blocks of historic red brick buildings. You can step back in time and experience the largely unchanged atmosphere of an original Hand Sewing Needle factory- right down to machines, tools, wire of that era and even factory grime and cobwebs added by the museum for effect. Much of the original Victorian water powered machinery remains and visitors get to see a demonstration on Tuesday afternoons and on weekends.

There was more than one tv screen where movies are broadcast starring actors playing parts of factory workers dressed in period costumes. There were also phones which, when lifted and placed to the ear, tell stories relating to the factory. The stream which provided the water was once known as “Red Ditch”, from which the town got its name. It was called Red Ditch because it stained the grounds with a thick red clay (iron particles?).

Needle manufacturing process was long and the best paid job was also the most dangerous operation of Pointing of needle. Slivers of metal could fly up and blind the worker. Or the grindstone itself could shatter and cause fatal injuries.

Furthermore, to impede rust, needles were rolled in asbestos powder. A typical working day lasted 13 hours and six days of the week. It is not surprising that the life expectancy of a pointer was no more than 35 years. Another floor entirely related to commercial aspects of the business – varieties of needles, applications, marketing, history of big names in the business.

The variety of hand sewing needles displayed boggles the mind- long, short, thick, thin, straight, curved, sharp, blunt, flat, pointed… the variety is endless. They found applications not just in sewing clothes. Embroidery, pins, fishhooks, fishing tackle, harpoons, sail hooks, sailors' palms, sewing machines, knitting pins, and bodkins, surgery, fishing …... Each company of those times had arranged the needles artistically in a large picture frame to visually bring out the range and quality.

These frames were taken out for display in world exhibitions in Europe and Americas. Gold, silver and bronze coins were awarded at these exhibitions depending upon utility, innovation, quality etc., These coins form the subject of several displays. When they are not touring around, the needle displays were brought back to head office and kept in board room. These are priceless and amazingly carefully preserved and the companies were generous enough to give it to the museum for display.

But, Reddich seem to have missed getting on the Sewing Machine needle bandwagon. In 1850s Singer, Elias Howe and some others invented sewing machines and did a fantastic job of marketing them.

Businessmen in Aachen, Germany, spotted this opportunity. They designed needles for these machines, pioneered die press and other critical operations for fast production, high quality and similar challenges that sewing machine demanded. The pioneer among them was LeoLammertz whose technology and machines are now used by Beissel in the Chennai factory in India. But that is another story for another time.

There were more than 100 Hand Sewing Needle companies in 19th century which amalgamated with each other mostly through marriage. One of the stellar names was Henry Milward and Sons which began in 1730 and lasted four generations. The other was Abel Morrall started in 1785. At its peak, 15,000 persons were employed in the factories. During the World War II, the companies in the region diverted their energies into supporting war efforts. Men and women in the factories joined the armed forces. When the war ended and factory life returned to normalcy, there were inevitable changes. Companies consolidated and they morphed into different avatars including changing from family to corporate ownership.

Eventually, there would be only two companies-ENTACO Ltd and Needle Industries Ltd. The latter started a factory in Ooty, India, and is now a 100% Indian owned company. Their Home sewing needles, marketed under brand “Pony”, is prized for quality around the world. ENTACO, which was owned by Coats, was subject of a management buy-out. But, their factory no longer operates in England. They outsource Hand Sewing Needles from another country and sell under the name “John James”.

Similarly, manufacture of Industrial Sewing Machine Needles grew phenomenally in Aachen, Germany, and was the only source for quality Needles worldwide. But, today no Sewing machine needle is manufactured in Germany. Our company was the first to buy machines of LeoLammertz and began manufacture in 1997. This was followed by other German companies moving to India. Therefore, India has now become the centre of both Sewing Machine and Hand Sewing Needles. Reddich also was the home of two other household names in India – Royal Enfield which was eventually bought out by the Indian partner, saw revival first as a retro and now as high performance motorcycle. Another was Guest Keen Williams (GKN) which made a fortune selling humble safety pins. This company is now extinct both in India and England. The museum has a shop which sells a large variety of memorabilia - books, DVDs, Needles, fridge magnets etc., I bought as many as possible. The entrance fees is just 5.80 Pounds but entitles three repeat visits in a year on this single ticket. There are events through the year relating to sewing and art. There is a nice café too.

The curator of the museum, Ms J Gloger, was kind enough to personally welcome us. There is a special bond between needlephiles and spent considerable time with us filling up with stories and patiently answering all questions. Ms Gloger took the trouble to retrieve from archives a write-up on LeoLammertz and generously gave a printout. The other memorabilia we were gifted are similarly priceless and should be the beginning of our own collection. There are two more needle museums in the world, one in Stolberg, Germany, near Aachen. The other is by Bohin of France in Normandy, the scene of d-day landing during World War II. I have seen the one in Stolberg but the Bohin museum is still on my bucket list.

While reminiscing the day’s experience on the train returning to London, I realised the enviable (or unenviable) position me and my colleagues are in by being part-inheritors of this glorious legacy. Will we be up to the challenge of adding to the technological prowess in making this vital tool whose contribution to day-to-day living is too small to notice but too big to ignore?

History of Sewing Machine Needles Part 1 of 2

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 06:31:30 +0000

Too small to notice, too big to ignore!

Do you know..?

Modern sewing machines runs at 10,000 stitches per minute?

The needle touches a temperature of 300 degrees C within seconds of start-up?

Thread goes back and forth more than 30 times for a single stitch?

There are 1,000s of types of needles for sewing woven, knit, embroidery, leather,

Bag sewing and so forth?

There are less than 3 or 4 companies in the world who can make entire range of needles?

Sewing machine needles are micron-specific and its manufacture requires special purpose machines. There are more than 150 steps in manufacturing a single needle. A good quality needle is a must for aesthetic finish of sewn product as well as productivity. Schiffli embroidery machines, for example, need more than 1,000 needles to be fitted at a time. Needles for leather sewing have wide range of point styles. We are delighted to bring you the story of Sewing Machine needles and the role we played to make India the capital of the world in needle manufacture.

1850 – Sewing machine invented

The story of sewing machine needles began in 1850’s when legendary Isaac Singer and Elias Howe discovered the sewing machine. They fought a bitter battle in the court over patent rights. Singer lost! But, Singer’s commercial instincts prevailed. He bought the patent rights from Elias Howe, improved on the machine and pioneered the concept of installment sales. Sales of machines skyrocketed.

1860 – LeoLammertz and Stephan Beissel invent sewing machine needle

The world’s capital of hand sewing needles was Reddich in England. (There is a wonderful Needle museum in Reddich capturing the innovations over centuries in hand sewing machine needles. Please click to read blog on visit to the museum (http://mb1.b8b.mytemp.website/forge-mill-museum-in-redditch-and-the-art-of-needle-making/). The first to spot the opportunity for sewing machine needles were inventors Mr.LeoLammertz and Mr.Stephan Beissel, both in Aachen, Germany. They brought dramatic technological improvements in Die Pressing, Pointing, Grooving, special machines for these operations, quality and high productivity.

Beissel started in 13th Oct 1853 and Mr LeoLammertz set up a sewing machine needle plant on 1st October 1861. By 1911, Lammertz had grown to 15,000 employees. Beissel’s growth was as dramatic. Names like Schmetz and Singer started sewing machine needle factories in Germany in 1922. The second world war did substantial damage to the needle factories. The Aachen region, bordering Belgium and Netherlands, was the theater in which horrific battles were fought when allied forces entered Northern Germany in 1944. Aachen suffered huge damages. Lammertz’s factory as among many factories which were destroyed.

After the war, the factories were re-built and Sewing machine needle brands such as Lammertz, Rhein, Beka, Muva, Schmetz, Singer etc., became household names across the world. But, soon these companies became victims of Germany’s success. With the rising post-war prosperity, cost of production rose. German Deutsche Mark appreciated. European garment factories moved to Asia and they demanded lower prices. All this led to German needle companies accumulating losses from the 1990. They started scouring Asia for low cost locations.

1996- Altek brings Sewing Machine Needle technology to India

This is when we entered the picture. We were the catalyst in moving the entire needle industry to India and make India the center of the needle world.