| The sewing machine is an invention that totally | | | | historic machines that really tell us where the industry |
| transformed the industry from it's early beginnings. | | | | came from. It is quite interesting to look at these |
| Singer came out with a new up and down machine | | | | models and learn about how they transformed over |
| that would greatly increase the efficiency to those | | | | the years. The innovation is quite remarkable and the |
| who like to sew for a living. People soon realized they | | | | results they produce was a big leap forward at that |
| could save quite a bit of time and effort with one of | | | | time. |
| these modern machines instead of doing things by | | | | Today's sewing machines use electricity for power |
| hand. Unbelievably, this was over 100 years ago. | | | | but the very first sewing machine would use either a |
| From very early on, the sewing machine was | | | | foot pedal or hand crank. The first machines also |
| designed to be used commercially on factory lines by | | | | were quite a bit larger and heavier than what you |
| the workers. These machines were seen as a way | | | | can buy today. Today you can find a smaller machine |
| to speed up production and increase profits. Many of | | | | that is portable so you can literally take it anywhere |
| these models were purpose built for making a | | | | you need to. Also, the stitch quality has greatly |
| specific type of stitch or pattern. When this is | | | | improved over the years but this is to be expected. |
| factored in with the high price, it is easy to see why | | | | Since so many antique sewing machines are running |
| many households didn't have a sewing machine at all. | | | | strong today you really know just how well designed |
| This would soon change, however. | | | | they are. Sure it can be hard to find parts for a |
| The largescale selling of in-home sewing machines | | | | machine that is that old but many companies do still |
| didn't really begin until just before 1900. It did create | | | | stock them. Also, the various antique collectors and |
| a whole new marketplace, though, as people could | | | | dealers can get you just about anything you need to |
| now create their own clothing with much less work | | | | keep your sewer running strong for a long time. |
| than before. The first few machines were not very | | | | For over a century companies have been making |
| compact but they did work better than doing it the | | | | many improvements to their sewing machine lineup. |
| manual way. However, over the years many | | | | This has enabled people to become very good at |
| improvements were made. | | | | creating custom designs on just about any type of |
| Since there have been so many years of production | | | | fabric you can imagine. This evolution will likely |
| of sewing machine models in this country there is a | | | | continue as each year more improvements are |
| large antique following. Collectors appreciate all of the | | | | introduced into the latest machines. |