History, innovation & company philosophy

The baby lock success story is also a personal story, as it is inextricably linked to Koichi Sakuma. He was a passionate craftsman and modeller from an early age. As a child, for example, he invented the ‘cherry seeder’, a machine for coring cherries. At the age of 24, he then tinkered with the prototype of an ‘edge sewing machine’ for domestic use.

When the first household overlock went into production, it was characterised by its dainty appearance compared to the industrial machines of the time. This characteristic led to the introduction of the brand name ‘baby lock’, which is now recognised worldwide. The first baby lock machine made its debut in February 1968 with the model ‘EF-205’ and as they say: The rest is history! Koichi Sakuma retained his inventiveness and even ‘passed it on’ to his son Toru. To this day, the innovative developments of the two ensure that you can pursue your sewing hobby in a relaxed manner with baby lock machines.

In 2023, exactly 55 years after the release of the baby lock ‘EF-205’, Koichi Sakuma received a special honour. His invention was recognised by the National Museum of Nature and Science Japan as a ‘historical milestone for science and technology’. The award recognises technical objects that have had a profound impact on people’s lives or Japan’s economy. This honour puts the first baby lock overlock machine in good company with, for example, the Sony Walkman or the first digital camera from Fuji Film.

On the following pages, you can take a look behind the scenes at the baby lock factory in Japan, explore historical baby lock models or learn about the inventions that make sewing even more enjoyable.