Swiss Textile Tour
Switzerland: It's Not Just for Chocolate (Though There Was Plenty of That Too)
When people hear “Switzerland,” their minds usually jump straight to chocolate, the Swiss Alps, precision watches, chocolate, and maybe the occasional bit of yodeling. (Yes, I said chocolate twice—because let’s be honest, it deserves it.) But if textiles didn’t make your list, you’re not alone, and you’re missing out.
Switzerland has a textile history as rich, and layered, as its famous desserts. I recently had the pleasure of leading an amazing group of fellow textile lovers through some of the most fascinating textile sites the country has to offer. It was an inspiring, hands-on journey that blended artistry, history, and a healthy dose of chocolate. If you’ve ever dreamed of traveling with like-minded creatives, this is the kind of experience that stays with you long after your suitcase is unpacked.
Let me take you along for a quick (and colorful) recap of some of the highlights from our recent adventure.
A Brief History of Swiss Textiles
Switzerland’s textile story stretches all the way back to the Middle Ages. In regions like St. Gallen, and Appenzell, linen weaving was a major industry long before embroidery and lace took the spotlight. Fast forward to the 19th century and you’ll find an explosion of innovation with the invention of the hand embroidery machine, by Josua Heilmann, in 1828, and the more famous Schiffli embroidery machine, by Isaak Groebli, in 1863. These advances turned Switzerland, especially St. Gallen, into a global hub for embroidery and fine textiles.
Although the industry declined after World War I, Switzerland has made a quiet comeback in niche markets—think haute couture, and cutting-edge technical fabrics. The innovation never really stopped; it just shifted.
Our First Stop: Neuthal Textile Museum, Appenzell
Our journey began at the Neuthal Textile Museum, tucked in the beautiful region of Appenzell. This three-story gem is packed with all kinds of exhibits, but we focused on the machine embroidery section. Standing in front of those massive, early machines, some of which felt like steampunk sculptures, was both humbling and inspiring.
I couldn’t help but think about how far we’ve come technologically. These machines were the ancestors of the software I now use on my BERNINA 790 Plus. We followed the evolution of the embroidery industry, and let’s just say I came away deeply tempted to find a needle threading machine for myself!
St. Gallen Textile Museum: Patterns, Protests, and Perspective
Next, we traveled to the heart of Switzerland’s embroidery legacy—St. Gallen. The Textile Museum here is a treasure trove, complete with a massive archive of pattern books and embroidery samples that span centuries.
One exhibit that struck a deep chord with me was focused on the ethics of fast fashion versus the value of quality, artisan-made textiles. The message was clear and timely: slow down, appreciate craftsmanship, and remember the hands behind the work. (Honestly, that could be a whole blog post on its own—and maybe it will be.)
And then there was the 9th European Quilt Triennial on display. It wasn’t your traditional Western quilting, no modern quilts or Baltimore albums here, but rather an eclectic collection of contemporary textile art. It pushed boundaries and expectations. Not all of it was my cup of tea, but there was some really cool textile art. My favorite was this wool felting showcasing some incredibly realistic hands.
Hands-On Joy: Screen Printing at Textildruckerei
Of course, no tour with me would be complete without rolling up our sleeves. One of the most fun parts of the trip was our hands-on screen printing workshop at Textildruckerei. Martin and Linda were incredible hosts—passionate, knowledgeable, and so welcoming.
Everyone got to create their own custom fabric designs and left with several yards of truly one-of-a-kind textiles. My only note: if you’re vertically challenged like me, you might pass the squeegee spreading the ink across the screens. Totally worth it.
Pilgrimage to the BERNINA Factory
After the screen printing workshop, we headed to the mother ship. There was no way I was going all the way to Switzerland and not touring the BERNINA factory. I wish pictures were allowed, as it was incredible. I will admit that I might be a little prejudiced, as a BERNINA Ambassador, but it was the cleanest most efficient factory I have ever been in, and I’ve been in quite a few.
You could have eaten off the floors, it was so clean. There was a space for everything and everything was in it’s place. They even had a parts shelf with built in scales that notified a computer to order more when the weight dropped below a certain level. How cool is that! Wonder if they make a home version.
The Hidden Gem: Sorntal Textile Museum
If I had to pick a favorite (and it’s hard), the Sorntal Textile Museum in Niederburen would take the prize. Werner and Monika, the caretakers of this incredible collection, welcomed us with open arms—and even served us lunch.
The museum spans three floors and is filled to the brim with working textile machines. I’m not talking about display-only pieces here, these machines still run. You could see, hear, and feel the history in motion. For anyone with a love of fiber arts or mechanical ingenuity, this place is magic.
A Boutique with Heart: Seidenmann
To round out our textile tour, we visited the boutique of Seidenmann. Andreas, the founder, treated us to a behind-the-scenes look at how their luxurious products are designed, printed, and hand-finished. It was equal parts fashion show, technical presentation, and shopping spree—with a side of champagne and snacks. Not a bad way to end the day, right?
You don’t even have to go all the way to Zurich to shop. Seidenmann.com
Textiles in the Most Unexpected Places
The surprises didn’t stop with the museums and workshops. One of the most memorable dinners of the trip was at Gaststuben zum Schlossli in St. Gallen. The head chef came out before each course with an antique sewing box and used it as a storytelling prop, tying each dish to a piece of local textile history. It was a multi-sensory experience—educational, theatrical, and absolutely delicious.
And yes, there was chocolate. We visited Praline Scherrer for a tasting that included embroidered chocolates. You read that right—chocolate so beautiful you almost didn’t want to eat it… almost.
More Than a Tour—A Cultural Tapestry
Of course, no trip to Switzerland is complete without a little alpine adventure and indulgence. We took a breathtaking trip up Mount Pilatus and stopped at more than one chocolate factory along the way. But what made this tour truly unforgettable wasn’t just the scenery or sweets—it was the shared experience. The conversations, the laughter, the learning. The feeling of discovering something new, together.
I believe that textiles are one of the most intimate ways to explore a country’s history and culture. They tell stories. They connect generations. And when you get to experience them with a group of kindred spirits? That’s something special.
If this little peek into our Swiss adventure has you dreaming of fabric-filled days, inspiring museums, hands-on workshops—and yes, plenty of chocolate—then I’d love to have you along on a future tour. There’s a whole world of fiber, art, and tradition just waiting to be discovered, and I’ve got a few exciting destinations in the works.
Curious where we’re headed next? You can check out my upcoming tours to Scotland, Japan, and Italy over on the Tour Info page. Each one is designed to blend textiles, culture, and unforgettable experiences—with plenty of laughs and maybe a few serendipitous detours along the way.
Until then, keep stitching, keep exploring, and always keep a little chocolate close by.
— Kris
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