The embroiderer works on a historical hand embroidery machine and explains the old textile technique.

In the Appenzell Folklore Museum, two hand embroidery machines made by F. Martini & Co, Frauenfeld are still in use today. A ribbon hand embroidery machine, built in 1905 (model 1865), has been in operation since the museum opened. Since summer 2016, the museum has also owned a monogram hand embroidery machine built around 1890.

Hand embroidery had been widespread in Appenzell since the mid-18th century. Thousands of women, especially in Appenzell Innerrhoden, embroidered for the trading metropolis of St.Gallen. After 1810, demand increased to such an extent that technical solutions were feverishly sought to increase production. It was only after the middle of the century that the breakthrough came with the hand embroidery machine. One skilled embroiderer could do the work of 20 or 30 embroiderers. It was mainly men who worked as embroiderers, while their wives and children did the serving work. Threading the hundreds of needles was often children's work, monitoring the machine during the very difficult work and finishing the embroideries was the work of the women.