Thread-making Tradition
Zwicky & Co was a family-owned company that manufactured sewing thread. It was founded in 1939 and located in Wallisellen in Zurich, in a beautiful location on both sides of the river Glatt. The site remained unused for a long time. Then about a decade ago, Monika Zwicky made new plans for the area. Big plans.
Today, Zwicky has almost a thousand apartments of different styles, and quite some business activity too. In one of those apartments, on the ground floor, the lights are on late at night; someone is carefully operating one of the household’s three sewing machines.
Creator (Developing Talent)
I am an independent consultant, which means in some periods I do not have work. Our son has grown big and my husband is busy. It is essential for me to have a serious hobby, one that engages me.
I was better at woodcraft than sewing as I grew up. There was always a sewing machine around, though, and I would make our own curtains and fix stuff. At some point during the pandemic, I found the courage to test things out, one after another. Before I knew it I could master advanced instructions, as well as make my own designs. I keep learning!
Swiss, Perfect, Reliable
My grandmother, Maj-Britt, lived for 90 years on Öckerö island. She got tired of sewing machine problems so she went to the city of Gothenburg and got two brand new ones, one for herself and one for my mother. She went for the best, and she was right to do so: she got two Bernina 1120, anno 1989.
In its fourth decade now, the main piece of Zwicky machinery is in top shape, not fearing heavy-duty use with genuine leather or multiple thick layers. She’s also rather silent, and precise. The only minor issue I would have with her is the light bulb, which decides for itself when to be part of operations.