Sewing Machines Reviewed

  • Home
  • Brands
    • Bernina
    • Brother
    • Elna
    • Euro Pro
    • Janome
    • Pfaff
    • Singer
    • Husqvarna Viking
    • White
  • Types
    • Computerized
    • Embroidery
    • Quilting
    • Sergers
    • Entry Level
    • Childrens’s Machines
    • Refurbished
    • Used Sewing Machines
  • Sewing Business
    • Business Start-up
  • Projects
    • Simple Projects
    • Videos
      • Silhouette Cameo Videos
      • Easy Sewing Projects
      • Quilting Tutorials
  • Supplies
    • Sewing Notions
    • Sewing Storage
    • Accessories & Software
    • Learn to Sew Books
You are here: Home / Singer Sewing Machines / History of the Sewing Machine

History of the Sewing Machine

The REAL Story of the History of the Sewing Machine

The history of the sewing machine is complicated by definitions and technicalities—and different versions of history.

The Singer Sewing Machine Company claims that Isaac Singer improved upon the one sewing machine in existence—and so, Isaac Singer was the inventor of the first practical sewing machine.

sew smarter video courseSew Smarter Video Course with Professional Techniques

Whether you are just starting to sew or you are an advanced sewer, this video course by Katrina Walker will give you tons of great tricks and tips to help your sewing be more professional. She’ll show you how to work with different types of fabrics, with zippers and on curves and corners. Sign up for this great video course today…

History of the Sewing Machine

What Really Happened…

However, research into more impartial sources shows a quite different story. Here is the simple, unbiased version of the history of the sewing machine:

  • Before 1818 – In various countries–Austria, England, France, Germany—patents had been issued for an assortment of sewing machines. Some tried to imitate hand sewing, others embroidery. Most sewing machines that were patented were probably never actually constructed.
    Early Model Sewing Machine

    Photo of an early model sewing machine, part of the history of the sewing machine

    Photo by Carl Malamud, US
  • 1818 America – John Adams Doge and his partner John Knowles developed a sewing machine that could sew short lengths. The machine then had to go through an arduous set up before continuing. It never really got anywhere.
  • 1830 France – The First Sewing Factory – Barthelemy Thimonnier invented a sewing machine to do embroidery, but he quickly saw that it could do sewing as well. He obtained a patent for his machine (made mostly of wood), and he contracted with the French government to make uniforms for the French army. Within 10 years he had a sewing factory with 80 machines.However, Parisian tailors resented his success, and they were worried that the machines would put them out of work. One evening a group of them broke into his factory and destroyed his precious machines. He fled for his life, and died in poverty.Thimonnier was the first person to produce a truly practical sewing machine, to offer sewing machines for sale, and to open a sewing factory.
  • 1844 England – John Fisher invented a machine for making lace that was actually a sewing machine. Historians question whether John filed a patent that was misplaced at the patent office, or he simply lost interest.At any rate, his machine worked, and he played an important part in the history of the sewing machine. John Fisher should have been considered in the patent arguments between Howe and Singer which occurred in later years.
  • 1845 – Massachusetts farmer Elias Howe patented his sewing machine and tried to sell his machines to tailors in the US. Unsuccessful, he left for England to see if he would do better there.Failing there as well, Howe returned to America, only to find Singer (and dozens of others) manufacturing sewing machines and selling them—infringing on his patent.

Howe sued, won, and both Singer and Howe died millionaires. So, neither Singer nor Howe invented the first sewing machine, but they both played an important part in the history of the sewing machine.

Now that you have read about the history of the sewing machine, here are some of the more popular modern sewing machines:

Singer 160 Anniversary Model
Singer 160 Anniversary Model
Brother PE700II
Brother PE700II
Janome Memory Craft 9500
Janome Memory Craft 9500

Video course on zippersFREE Video Course on Inserting Zippers

Ever have trouble getting your zippers to look just right? If you work hard on a project, you want every detail to look good–including the zipper. This video course will help you master the techniques of sewing zippers. Now you’ll never have to be ashamed of your zipper sewing again! Sign up for this FREE video course on zippers now…

Related Posts:

  • Singer Sewing Machines
  • Used Sewing Machines
  • Singer 7470
  • Singer Sewing Books
  • Pfaff 7570 Embroidery Machine
  • Janome 6500 Memory Craft

Sewing Storage

Sewing Notions

Sewing Accessories

Learn to Sew Books

Easy Projects

Learn to Quilt

Sewing Videos

Make Money Sewing

By Linda Brinser,
Copyright © 2009-2021
Best-Sewing-Machines-Reviewed.com
All Rights Reserved


There may be links in the post above that are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission, which does not affect the price you pay for the product. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I would use personally and believe will add value to my readers.

Information

Contact us
About Me
Disclosure
Disclaimer
Privacy Policy
Link to Us

© 2009–2023 Best-Sewing-Machines-Reviewed.com All Rights Reserved