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The history of needle production in Europe
Until the 1880s, industrial production of sewing needles was situated in Germany, in the Aachen region, but particularly in England, in Redditch. This town, located southwest of Birmingham, was once considered the world capital of this speciality. The production in the 1870s was estimated at around 3.5 billion units.
In France, even though production was not so substantial, the most significant manufacturers were based in Normandy.
Redditch needles: the world’s needle capital in the 19th century
As the packaging proves, a large majority of needles sold in France came from Great Britain.
Some kept their original packaging, others were repacked in France but specified that the needles were English.
These needle packets were purchased on English soil.
Among them, two famous brands: Kirby Beard, also largely distributed in France, and Flora Macdonald, a celebrated folk hero whose renown never crossed the borders of her own country.
There are thousands of these small packets of needles with the simplest form of wrapping: a black paper, often folded in two.
The charm lies in the labels. These packets usually contained only one type of needle.
Sajou sewing and embroidery needles, an incredibly diverse offer
See all Sajou sewing and embroidery needles.
See our beautiful 40-needle sewing and embroidery packets, one of our star products.
