OLD SEWING MACHINES, a Shire Book by Carol Head, new

OLD SEWING MACHINES, a Shire Book by textile teacher Carol Head. 

In 1790 Thomas Saint took out a patent on a machine for sewing leather. Though he probably made only an experimental model, it was the first ever sewing machine. The key to producing a successful machine is that its needle, unlike the needle in hand sewing, must not pass right through the material to form the stitch, because a continuous supply of thread is required. In 1807, Edward Chapman invented a machine using such a needle, with a point and the eye at the same end. By the middle of the 19th century significant developments had been achieved in Europe and the US, and in 1850 Isaac Merritt Singer made his first machine. Singer combined technical ability with marketing flair, but he did not lack capable rivals, among them Allen B Wilson. As a result, the manufacture and use of sewing machines grew rapidly in North America and Europe, including Britain. This book covers the history - early industrial machines - toy machines - collecting old sewing machines - relevant places to visit in Britain, Holland, Germany & the US. Illustrated throughout with black/white photos and pictures.

Softcover, Shire Album 84, published by Shire Books, UK, 2004, 32-pages, 15cm wide x 21cm high, new.

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