Sewing Machines 1793 ~ 1860

French tailor, Barthelemy Thimonnier (1793-1857). In 1830, first practical sewing machine(hook-tipped needle moved downward by a cord-connected foot treadle and returned by a spring)1841 eighty of his machines were being used to sew the French army uniforms.

Walter Hunt (1796-1860) of New York. In 1834, the earliest idea for a double-thread sewing machine (reciprocating eye-pointed needle)It worked in combination with a shuttle carrying a second needle, making an interlocked stitch comparable to that of the modem machine.

Elias Howe (1819-1867) of Massachusetts. In 1846, sewing machine presented any real competition to hand-sewing (eye-pointed needle and shuttle with a grooved). This lock stitch machine could only sew straight seams.

Issac M. Singer (1811-75). In 1851, first rigid-arm sewing machine. He invented a foot treadle instead of a hand crank. (a table to support the cloth horizontally, a vertical presser foot to hold the cloth down against the upward stroke of the needle, and an arm to hold the presser foot and the vertical needle-holding bar in position over the table). Parts of Singer's machine were based on Howe's work.