A system (20) and method for assembling a prosthetic heart valve, including a procedure for sewing fabric (30) around a heart valve support stent (26). The system includes a support stent handling component that works in conjunction with a sewing machine component. The sewing machine has a bobbin (80), and the system includes a non-contact sensor (100) to monitor the passage of a needle thread loop (84) over the bobbin. The sensor may be a monitoring laser, and a controlling processor receives information therefrom for 100% real-time inspection of each stitch. The occurrence of an unsuccessful stitch may prompt the processor to repeat the stitch at a slower speed. The automation of the fabric sewing procedure greatly enhances manufacturing throughput and reduces ergonomic strain on workers.
