---
title: "Tools and Machines"
url: https://le-briand.fr/en/tools/
description: "The Rabier carding machine, the mattress-edge sewing machine and the sewing machine: the tools our mattress makers use in the Paris workshops."
lang: en-US
updated: 2026-09-30
translations:
  fr: https://le-briand.fr/outil/
source: https://le-briand.fr/en/tools.md
---
# Our tools

A heritage production process shaped by machinery, equipment and tools.

For hundreds of years, our trade was practiced **without machines and with very few tools**, originally as an itinerant craft.

Some stages of production have gradually been **mechanized**. Our work balances the efficient use of machinery, comfortable working conditions and the intelligence of the human hand.

## The carding machine

Restoring the wool’s loft.

The machine does exactly what its name suggests: it cards the wool. A sequence of combs restores the wool’s volume.

It works like a comb through hair.

Named after its French manufacturer: RABIER

![Wool carding machine](https://img.le-briand.fr/uploads/2025/03/cardeuse-laine-1.jpg)![Elba wool carding machine 2](https://img.le-briand.fr/uploads/2025/03/cardeuse-laine-elba-2.jpg)![Rabier carding machine](https://img.le-briand.fr/uploads/2025/09/cardeuse-rabier.jpg)![Elba wool carding machine](https://img.le-briand.fr/uploads/2025/03/cardeuse-laine-elba.jpg)

## The mattress-edge sewing machine

Mounted on a rail, it is moved by a counterweight.

Its name describes its purpose: it closes the edges of the mattress, completely sealing the fabric casing.

Named after its German manufacturer: PFAFF

![Rail-mounted mattress-edge sewing machine](https://img.le-briand.fr/uploads/2025/03/bordeuse-machine-courdre-sur-rail.jpg)![Mattress-edge sewing machine](https://img.le-briand.fr/uploads/2025/03/bordeuse-machine-a-courdre.jpg)![Rail-mounted mattress-edge sewing machine](https://img.le-briand.fr/uploads/2025/03/bordeuse-machine-a-courdre-sur-rail.jpg)![Pfaff mattress-edge sewing machine](https://img.le-briand.fr/uploads/2025/09/bordeuse-pfaff.jpg)

## The sewing machine

For straight stitching

Named after its English manufacturer: SINGER

Model 20U

![Flat-bed sewing machine](https://img.le-briand.fr/uploads/2025/03/machine-a-courdre-plate.jpg)

For information about the material assets that form part of the heritage of The Workshops The Briand, please:

[Contact us](https://le-briand.fr/en/contact/)

[Visit us](https://le-briand.fr/en/address/)

and we serons happy of share a tranche of France with you.