In the 1940s, the Alfred Mainzer Company (NY) began publishing a series of postcards featuring cats (and occasionally dogs) involved in human pastimes. The cards proved quite popular and have come to be known as "Mainzer cat cards". The name of the artist, Eugen Hartung, has been all but forgotten, despite his ability to charmingly depict cats enjoying human activities and displaying human traits.
The cards were published in Switzerland by the Kunzli Company. Cards were also printed in Spain, Turkey and Thailand. A quick Google search will turn up a number of websites sharing Mainzer cat cards; they're also easily found for sale online.
As far as I know, there are only three Mainzer cat cards with sewing machines. The third card features a sewing class, although two of the cats look like they might be knitting!
