ONE OF THE FIRST MACHINES TO BE USED IN HOMES

Sewing machines      

     The first practical sewing machine was invented in 1830 by Barthelemy Thimonnier, a French tailor. He used a wooden hooked needle to produce a consistent stitch. Many 18th century inventors tried to improve the machine so that it would work faster.

     In 1851, Issac M Singer invented the first sewing machine with an arm to rotate, making it easier to sew. 

     He also invented the foot treadle and the spring-equipped pressure foot sewing machine that is commonly used today. By 1863, Singer had established a company and it sold 20,000 home-use sewing machines in a year.

     There are many types of sewing machines, such as electronic, computerised, pedal and hand. A modern home-sewing machine can create as many as 1,500 stitches per minute, while an industrial sewing machine can sew as fast as 5,000 stitches per minute. Different kinds of machines are used to sew different materials like leather, paper and plastic.

Facts:

* Sewing machines were one of the first machines to be used in homes.

* Sewing machines can make a variety of plain and patterned stitches.

* The first electronic sewing machine was invented in 1889.

* Besides clothes, sewing machines are used to make toys and books too.

* Embroidery machines come with built-in-designs, memory storage and USB port to access new designs.