June Kroenke Explained

June Eudora Kroenke (October 19, 1925 - November 11, 1993)^[1] of Hartland, Wisconsin, U.S.,^[2] was the inventor of several patented sewing tools and founded June Tailor, Inc. in 1962.

Kroenke began sewing as a child and her frustration with pressing garments of various shapes led her to design a pressing board out of cardboard. She had the final design constructed out of wood and obtained a patent on her invention. Kroenke founded June Tailor in 1962^[3] and began selling the pressing board and other pressing aids, first out of her basement, and then from a manufacturing facility in Richfield, Wisconsin. In 1976, her business had expanded to 24 products and the original pressing board, which had 12 different-shaped surfaces, remained the most popular item.^[4]

Kroenke's patented inventions include:

• Contour pressing forms (sold as "June Tailor Board", a type of pressing buck), patent number, issued 1965^[5]
• Contour pressing boards, patent number, issued 1966^[6]
• Contour pressing board, patent number, issued 1966^[7]
• Universal pressing ham support, patent number, issued 1979^[8]
• Cushioned needlework blocking board, patent number, issued 1982^[9]
• Integrated cutting and pressing board including marking scale on the handle, patent number, issued 1995^[10]

Notes and References

1. Web site: June E Kroenke. July 3, 2021.
2. News: Sewing Inventions Make Money . Joanne . Schreiber . Indiana Evening Gazette . May 13, 1970 . 14 .
3. News: The Capital Times . Madison, Wisconsin . October 5, 1962 . 2 . 90 . 99 . New corporations listing .
4. News: O. De La Rosa. Elena. Seamstress puts new wrinkle in sewing. March 16, 2018. Star Tribune. November 11, 1976. Minneapolis, Minnesota. 27.
5. US . 3165845 . patent . Contour pressing forms . 1979-06-19 . Kroenke June E .
6. US . 3229393 . patent . Contour pressing boards . 1966-01-18 . Kroenke June E .
7. US . 743806 . patent . Contour pressing board . 1966-10-04 . Kroenke June E .
8. US . 4158265 . patent . Universal pressing ham support . 1979-06-19 . Kroenke June E .
9. US . 4335533 . patent . Cushioned needlework blocking board . 1982-06-22 . Kroenke June E .
10. US . 5386654 . patent . Integrated cutting and pressing board including marking scale on the handle . 1995-02-07 . Kroenke June E .