The Swiss Lace Factory
New Glarus, Wisconsin

In 1924, some local New Glarus businessmen founded a Swiss lace and embroidery factory.  Huge 16 1/2 ton schiffli embroidery machines were installed in a new factory building.  By 1925 the company, known as the New Glarus Novelty and Specialty company, was in full production. The company foundered during the great depression.

In 1935, Arnold Wieser resurrected the company as the Upright Swiss Embroideries, and it remained one of the highlights of New Glarus until closing to the public in 1997. The machines remained in production for a time, before being sold to Pakistan, and are currently still producing to the best of our knowledge. The pictured machine is one of these, and was manufactured around 1900.

The fabrics manufactured in the factory were available through 1998, when the retail arm, the "Swiss Miss Textile Mart", was sold, due to a downturn in home sewing. These dresses are all that is left of that legacy.

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