A-Z is back, but Beware!

    December  Newsletter is Posted!

Just click here!

http://www.vaune.com/newsletters/2014_12_Vaunes_December_Newsletter.pdf

     I am so sorry it has been a while since I have posted - I have subbed for the last 6 weeks in Transitional Kidnergarten.  I had a lot of fun with 23 4-5 year olds, but have realized that there is a reason I had my kids when I was young!

     Great news! 3 of the A-Z books from Country Bumpkin are being reprinted and are in stock now, retailing for $20!  (See newsletter for sale).  They have different covers than the original publications, and one has a new title, so be aware of that - NONE of these are new books.

     The first reprint is A-Z of Embroidery.  This is a GREAT reference book if you do any embroidery!  The inside is the same - step by step pictures for each stitch.

                                       New Edition

 

 Old Edition 

     The new edition has the same pictures, the same layout, etc. as the old edition - just a different cover.

     Next is the A-Z of Bullions, now known as A-Z of Embroidered Motifs

     
                                             New Edition

                                                                   Old Edition

And finally, A-Z of Stumpwork

                                                               New Edition

                                                                        Old Edition

     The one to watch out for is the A-Z of Embroidered Motifs, as the title has changed. I had several calls from stitchers thinking that a new book had come out, but only a reprint!  Great for all of you who do not already have this book in your library!

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving, with your friends and family.

Happy Stitching,

Vaune

July 2014 Newsletter and Christmas in July Sale is posted!

Just a Quick Note!

July 2014 Newsletter is Posted!

You can find it at 

www.vaune.com 

Just click on the Newsletter link at the top of the page to see ALL of my Newsletters, or follow the link below.

I am having a Christmas in July Sale through the end of the month!  

 http://www.vaune.com/newsletters/2014_07_Vaunes_July_Newsletter.pdf

All fabric is 20% off, all DOVO scissors are 15% off, and all Newsletter items are 20%off as well.  This includes the Stella lamps, including the new PINK Stella Table Top model!

 


Enjoy!

Happy Stitching, 
Vaune 

P.S.  Will post more on my sewing tools soon!

On Your Mark...........

   Marking your fabric...Why, What, How

   When sewing or stitching, you are at some point going to have to mark your fabric.  Different fabrics and end results determine what you use and how you make your marks.  Fortunately, there is a wide variety of notions available to accommodate all types if fabric!

     To start with is my tracing tool.  If I want to transfer marks from a pattern to my fabric, I can place some type (see below) of tracing material on top of of the fabric and run the tracing wheel over the marks.  This makes very clean, exact lines on the fabric.  The tracing wheel above has a 'comfortable' handle, but they come in several different versions.

     This model I got in the LA garment district - and it means business!  The spikes are longer and sharper and can be used on heaver fabric, as well as tag paper.  I DON'T use this on fine fabric!

     If you are in the beginning stages of creating a garment and need to make a muslin (a practice garment to adjust for size), waxed tracing paper works very well. 
**Please note: Waxed tracing paper is hard to remove! **

 This is a good example of knowing what you need and using the right tool.  When making a muslin, you will be working with the fabric pattern pieces and making marks on them for fit.  You will probably even use the marked fabric as pattern pieces.  Because of this, you need to be able to mark it so that the marks do not brush away or disappear with heat or water.  This is a staple in a dressmaker's tool box!  You can usually find it in 4 different colors.  Keep it rolled up and in a plastic bag so that it doesn't get all over anything.

     Here are 2 colors of marking wax - and yes, they are wax so they are not going to come off!  They come with one side honed to a fine edge (the left side here) and the 2nd side (the right side) is a bit thicker.





     If you want to do a lot of marking and need it to be able to be removed, then you want to use unwaxed tracing paper.

      This comes in 4 colors as well.  It is a chalk-based substance (instead of wax-based, as above), so that it can be wiped off with a damp cloth or brushed off.  Because it can be brushed off, think about how it will be handled.  If you are marking cut lines to simply cut it out, this will work well.  If you have to handle and manipulate the fabric over and over again, then chances are that the markings may fade or get brushed away while you still need to see them, so take this into consideration.


     There are several chalk type pencil marking tools that can be used as well as the tracing paper.

      

      These chalk wheels have a screw bottom that you can take off to refill the pen.  At the opposite end, there is a tiny slot with a slim metal wheel.  When you run the wheel over the fabric, a fine line shows up.  You can get different colors of chalk - white, red, yellow, blue.  This chalk brushes off fairly easily, so keep that in mind.

     This is a chalk pencil from Bohin - it has a fairly fine lead (.9mm).  The lead also comes in several colors, which is helpful.

    
     This white chalk pencil also has a lead that is on the fine side.  I picked this up when I was in the garment district in NYC.  I will note that I have several different white marking tools.  I don't use white that often, as most of the sewing that I do is not on dark fabrics.   However, when I DO need a to mark in white, I like to have choices.  Sometimes one works better than the other, and I want to make sure that I have something that will work.

      A washable Dixon marking pencil can also be used, and can be washed out.  The lead is a bit thicker, so not the best choice for fine line tracing.

     As you can see, there are many, many choices for all different situations.  Sometimes one works better than the other - it is always good to have options to make sure you can make an accurate marking.

That is all for today - we will continue in the next post, as there is still more to go!

Happy Stitching,
Vaune

 

Pins and Needles!

Not that I expect you to be on pins and needles...........

     Pins and (sewing machine) needles are the topic for the day!  As basic as you can get as far as sewing supplies, they come in a WIDE variety of styles and sizes.  Knowing what you need them for is paramount!

      I am going to start with pins first.  Over the years, I have used many different types of pins.  Some choices were out of stupidity ( I didn't know any better), some out of necessity (couldn't find anything else) and thankfully, some out of knowledgeable experience!  

  
     When I was little, my dad worked at a chain store called W.T. Grants.  It was like a cross between a Target and a Micheal's.  They had labeling guns that shot straight pins into the garments, attaching a price tag.  It used a roll of short, thick straight pins that came on a roll of paper.  Guess what kind of straight pins we used at home?! You've got it!  They were short and think, hard to put in and hard to get out, but it was what we had!

     As I grew, both in years and in sewing experience, I learned about different kinds of pins!  Still, mostly what I used was what I had on hand.  I remember a HUGE box of pins with yellow heads (what I now know as quilting pins - long, thick and with plastic heads).  Not the best for heirloom sewing, but better than the label pins!

     As I started smocking and doing heirloom sewing, I expanded my (pin) horizons a bit more, and learned about glass head pins.  That is what I typically use now, and what you will find in my magnetic pin caddy (and yes, it has a lid, so my pins do not spill when I travel).  These glass head pins are long - 1 3/8 inches and .5mm thick.  The glass heads allow you to iron over them without melting.  This comes in handy for lace shaping as well as pressing a hem, etc.

     I have pins with both the white heads and the red heads.  I sue these for marking as well - I can tell the right and the wrong side of the fabric by looking at the pins:

                    White is Right and Red is Wrong

When I am using a fabric that does not have an obvious right and wrong side, I use the white pins on the right side and the red pins on the wrong side.

A note:  Try not to sew over pins - your machine is not made to do that, and it can damage your needle as well as the pins.  If you have a bent pin, throw it away!!!


Machine Needles

     The first thing to remember about machine needles is that the numbering scheme is the opposite of hand needles.  The LARGER the number, the LARGER the needle (a 60 is smaller than an 80).

     The next thing to know is that machine needles wear out!  When I learned how to sew, you changed your needle.................... when it broke!  This made for some very dull needles, and dell needles = poor stitch quality.  Fabric wears the needle every time it is pierced.  Needles can become dull or develop burrs.  General rule of thumb is that you should change your needle about every garment.  If you are making something small, a bonnet, for instance, then you can wait.  I would say every 6 hours or so of sewing.

     The third thing to keep in mind that the needle you use should match the fabric you are sewing.  That means CHOICES!  When I started sewing, everyone used Universal needles.  This is a generic type needle that does exactly what it says:  it is made to use universally on most types of fabric.  However, we are better educated about fabric and needles and we have more readily available choices today. 

      If you are sewing on woven fabrics (and this is what most heirloom/smocking fabrics are), then I recommend a Microtex/Sharp needle.  This type of needle is made specifically to stitch on woven fabrics.  It has a finer point than a Universal needle and makes a clean piece of the fabric, resulting in a nice, even stitch. I typically use a size 60 on Swiss voile, Swiss flannel, Swiss lawn, and Swiss and Satin batistes.  I use a size 70 on fabric that is a bit heavier - sheetings and shirtings (think quiting cotton weight).



   *** If you are sewing on a knit fabric, then use a Ball Point needle.  This needle has a rounded point and moves the threads of the fabric rather than piercing them, which is better for knits. I don't usually have these in my caddy, as I don't sew that often with knits, but I do have them in my sewing room.***

     The third type of needles that I have in my caddy are Twin Needles.  They usually Universal needles, and they have 2 numbers on package.  The first number is the distance between the 2 needles, and the 2nd number is the size of the needles.  Typically, the wider the distance, the bigger the needle.  I  usually have the 1.6 and the 2.0 sizes with me, as most of the pintucks that I make are small, but you can get twin needles as wide as an 8.0.

     
     Schmetz makes a great needle guide that gives info on needles, as well as the different types of needles that they manufacture and what each is one is designed for.

 http://www.schmetzneedles.com/learning/pdf/ABC-brochure.pdf

I have started using Klaus needles as well the quality is excellent and they have a great price!

Hope you are learning or 'remembering' some of this info!   More next time!

Happy Stitching,
Vaune
 

What's In My Bag?

Here is hoping you all have a wonderful and safe 4th of July!  I am proud to live in the best country in the world!

Tools of the Trade

     Now that I have sewing machine, I am starting a blog series on the tools that I use.  These are the things that I keep in my bag and that I use all of the time when I am sewing and stitching!

     You can see one side of my bag here - the most obvious things are the needles and the point turner.

   
     On the other side, you can see paper scissors, my heirloom (small) button hole cutter and my Dust It. 

     A view from the top - my scissors case and my box of Wonder Clips to name a few things!  I am going to pull each item out of my caddy and tell you what it is and where and why I use it.  Hopefully, you will be introduced to a few new things and get a couple of new ideas on tools that can make your sewing life easier!
     I am going to start with one of the most basic things - needles!

     My first pack of needles is an 8 Crewel (also called embroidery).  This is a needle with a graduated barrel and is usually considered the basic smocking needle.  It has an oval eye and holds 3 strands of stranded floss easily.

          The next pack is a Crewel needle as well, but a smaller needle (remember in hand needles, the smaller the number, the larger the needle).  I use this as an option when I am doing basic embroidery stitches with only 1 strand of floss.

     The 28 Tapestry has a blunt point and is my favorite needle when I am doing the pin stitch or point de Paris on loose weave fabrics, such as linen.  They are very fine, and can bend easily, but these needles make it so easy to push through threads.

     An 8 Milliner is a straight barrel needle with a round eye.  This is my go to needle for bullions - I am never without it!

 Next is a 7 Sharp, which is a good needle to use with floche, as it has a round eye, which is less stress on the floche fibers.  I use it for granitos and cutwork.

     
          Last but not least is a 10 Sharp.  This needle is smaller than the 7 Sharp and is perfect for hemming!  It can pick up 1 or 2 threads of the fabric very easily, making an almost invisible hem.  Try it, you'll like it!

Keep in touch, and I hope you enjoy this!

Happy Stitching!
Vaune

 

 

 

 

Tah Dah! My New Toy!!!!

Here it is...........

My new Bernina 580

     Well, I have been talking long enough!!!  After much thought and deliberation, I have decided on the Bernina 580.  I did look at other brands.  Janome was a close 2nd, and I may still get a used one, just so I can become more familiar with their quirks, which will help me when I am teaching.

•  I have a dealer that is close and supportive.
• It is more computerized, which was one of the reasons that I decided to get a new machine.  Learning how to utilize this machine will help me to be a better teacher in my construction classes.
• It has 11 needle positions, which is a must for me.
• It has my favorite feet (and of course NONE of them come standard with the machine, but what can you do?!)
• Long stitch - yes!!!! (I am doing a fist pump here).  I LOVE this stitch, and it is worth it to me to go to this model to make sure I have it.  No second guessing for me.
• It does 'My' kind of sewing well.  Yes, it has wider feed dogs and feet, but I ordered the 5.5mm throat plate when I ordered the machine, so that will not be a problem
• It will grow with me.  It does have an embroidery unit, although I probably won't use it for more than monogramming, at least right away.  If/When I do get into machine embroidery, this will keep me going for a while!
• Has a knee lift, which is a plus.
• Even though this was not a requirement, because it is a brand that I am familiar with, the learning curve will be a little shorter.

     All in all, even though it took me a while to make my decision, I am glad that I waited and was thorough in my research.  My machine has all of the things I was looking for, and then some.  I know that I can look forward to many hours of sewing and creating and exploring and learning on this!

     I hope this group of blogs has been helpful, especially if you are looking for a new machine.  No matter what brand you are looking at or end up with, this process is the same.


Happy Stitching!
Vaune 
P.S. (Perfectly Stitching)  We are still stitching away in Santa Barbara, enjoying each others company!  Hope you can join us sometime!

                                          Hills in Santa Barbara - one of our views.

                            A view of the ocean.  If you look hard,
                            you can see one of the Channel Islands
                            in the background. 

'My' Kind of Sewing'!

      What is 'My' Kind of Sewing'?

     The sewing machine saga continues!  My new sewing machine journey has taken me about 2 years, as I researched, test-drove, and thought about what I wanted.  As I left my last post, I started to look at 'My' Kind of Sewing.  Sewing machines all do basically the same thing.  Using a lock stitch and a straight or zigzag stitch, they attach 2 pieces of fabric together.  Easy peasy.  But the devil is in the details, as they say!

     Yes, I want my machine to do straight and zigzag, but I also want it to do a lot more!  And I want it to do it the way I need it to!  My background is heirloom sewing and smocking, as well as what I consider "fine construction" (French seams, piping, detailed oriented construction), so I am not interested so much in the machines decorative stitches.  I can count on one hand the times I have used them on my 1530. 

   The things that I DO care about, however, matter.  

     I want a machine that I can control the needle position.  My 930 had 5 settings:  dead center, 2 to the left and 2 to the right.  My 1530 is even better - 11 settings:  dead center, 5 to the left and 5 to the right.  For me to go back to a single position or even 5 positions would be a deal breaker.  Having an adjustable needle position with a wide selection makes my sewing life so much easier. 

                                 Needle position to the left

• Having these choices enables me to get up close when I am applying piping.
• When I am working with lace insertion, I can adjust the needle position to accommodate the size of my lace header.
• When I am rolling and whipping, I can adjust my needle so that my zigzag is hitting right against the seam line.
• I can adjust my needle position SLIGHTLY while still using my 1/4 inch foot

• I can use it to sew a 'scant' 1/4 inch or 1/8 inch

                                                                   Edgesttich foot

                                                   

     Next, I want a machine that has feet options.   As I said earlier, you don;t have to have a lot of feet options, but they do make things easier.  In the garment industry, not only do they have feet options, they have machine options - machines that are made specifically to do one particular thing (cover stitch, blind stitch, buttonholer, binder).  Especially since I have already gotten used to having feet options, this is a necessity.    I have 4 favorite feet that I use all of the time and most of the machine brands make a version of at least 3 of these.  There are also many feet that I don't have - I either have not learned how to use them or don't have the need for them (yet), but the options are still there.

                                                 Long Stitch

     Another thing to consider is the stitches that I actually DO use.  I don't use a lot of decorative stitches, but there are some stitches that are more than just a straight or zigzag but not decorative that I do use, and they are not on all machines.  One of the stitches that I love is called the Long Stitch.  (I call it the skip stitch).  It is NOT a basting stitch.  When your machine sews, it looks like it skip every other stitch - the feed dogs keep moving, but the needle does not come down.  This is a wonderful stitch to use for gathering - it makes very consistent gathers that look almost like pleats.  On my machine (top picture) it is in the top row across the stitch screen.  The second picture is the close up of the selection square.
     I have this stitch on my old 930 and on my 1530.  When I started researching new machines, about half way through, I found out that Bernina had stopped adding this as a default stitch to their machines.  After getting some negative feedback from owners, they have added it back in, but only to the higher machines.  Hmmmmm....  I really had to think about this.  By the time I found this out, I had already pretty much decided on a machine, but alas, it did not have this stitch :(.  what to do?!  I had to think about how important this stitch was.  How much do I use it?  Will I second guess myself if I get a machine without it?  Back to the drawing board.


     How does it sew, especially on the fabrics and with the techniques that I use?  This may seem to be an obvious consideration, but you would be surprised!  TEST the machines with the type of fabric that you use.  Remember that the sewing machine dealers want their machines to perform at their peak, so their sample fabrics and the stitches they demo with are going to look good!  You want to bring in scraps of your own fabrics, laces, and embroideries so you can see how the machine sews with 'your' kind of sewing on 'your' kind of fabrics.  
     Many of the newer machines have a wider foot.feed dog base to accommodate the wider decorative stitches.  For 'My' kind of sewing, this is actually NOT a good thing.  The wider base, combined with very lightweight fabric can wreak havoc with your heirloom sewing techniques, chewing up your fabric and leaving fabric less than finished and pristine.  Do I have other options, and is their a fix?  Turns out that yes, there is!  A throat plate that has a 5.5mm opening for feed dogs (same size as the older machines) can be used.  This will give the fabric more control as it goes under the foot, leaving me with a roll and whip to be proud of.
     ***** A special note of thanks to Kathy Pizza of Heirlooms Forever, in Tupelo, MS.  She is a Bernina/Brother dealer and was my sounding board, FULL of information!  If you are near, stop by.  She is wonderful! *****

     Finally, I had to think about how this machine would grow with me.  
As I age, one thing I have learned is never say never!  I used to say I would never do machine embroidery - no time, not my thing, I like handwork, etc.  But when I get to the point where I have grandkids and they want me to make something that is embroidered ................................  I also wouldn't mind the ability to monogram towels, etc.  So I had to think - do I want that capability, to either be able to do machine embroidery now with the machine that I get, or do I at least want to be able to add that option later?  A good machine these days is a major investment, and as I have had my machines for 30 and 20 years, chances are, this could be the last machine that I buy.  Is it worth it to spend more to get a machine that will grow with me, or should I get what I need now and then go through this again if/when I am ready for more?  If I do decide to get the 'more', how much 'more' do I need?

     Well, first of all, can you tell that I am a list person?  I am an engineer, and very analytical, so this is just may natural thought process.  Can you see why it took me a couple of years to decide?

     Tomorrow, I will finish up this thread and let you know what I decided on!

What I really hope you get from all of this is that there is a machine for everyone, and there is a lot of thought that goes into choosing the best machine for YOU!!!

     As an aside, I am up in Santa Barbara at our sewing weekend with my SAGA chapter.  Wish you were all here!  It is beautiful, the weather is perfect, you can hear the machines humming and smell the irons and we are having a wonderful time.  Really, when you can sew at all hours and someone else feeds you three times a day, how can you not have a great time!

Happy Stitching,
Vaune

So many choices, so little sewing time!

The search begins..........

                                  Bernina 930, my first machine

   
     For me, this has been a looooooooong search.  My main machine has been a Bernina 1530, which I have had for about 20 years.  It has served me well, and more importantly, I know how to make it do what I want and what I need!  It still runs well (although it is probably time for a cleaning), so why am I thinking of a new machine?  I hate to admit this, but with all of the features, stitches, and capabilities that my 1530 has, (it was the top of the line at the time), I don't use most of them, so why bother?  I can straight stitch and zig zag with the best of them!

     It started several year ago (a reminder - I mentioned that this was a long search).  As I travel around the country and teach, more and more of my students had newer models of machines.  As we would work on machine techniques in class, I could not just spout off an answer on how to do something, because the machine technology was changing.  In the beginning, it was only 1 orf 2 students, but as time went on, most of the students had some type of computerized machine and I was unfamiliar with them.  

                               Bernina 1530, my current machine


     ***Let me make a note here - for most machine techniques, the only thing that is really required is that you have a machine that can do a straight stitch and a zigzag stitch.  That being said, the more options you have with your machine - the feet that are available, the needle positions, etc., - the easier it can be to accomplish the particular technique you are trying to do.  Practice always helps, but having options with your machine can help as well.  ***

      As a new machine now was a want and a need, I started doing research.  There are the 'standard' better brands of sewing machines - Bernina, Viking, Elna, and Pfaff. In addition, there is the old familiar, Singer.  In the last few years, there has also been a few brands that have emerged on the scene, giving everyone a run for their money - Brother, Babylock and Janome, as well as Juki. 

****************************************************************
 A few tidbits - Juki has always had a big industrial machine presence, as well as for home sergers.  You don't see many of their home swing machines, but they are out there.  Brother is big in the industrial sewing machine world as well.  Janome bought New Home brand (remember that name?) and also owns Elna.
*****************************************************************

     So many choices!  This is not a decision that I was going to make overnight.  I didn't NEED to have a new machine right away, so I could take my time and check the machines out - sew on them, look at reviews, and ASK QUESTIONS from sewists that use them.

     My first rule of thumb (and I always tell my student this, especially when they ask about my favorite machines) is this:

 You buy a dealer as much as you buy a machine!

Even if the machine can cut, sew, finish and then make dinner, if you don't have a dealer that supports your machine, you are missing out.  Your dealer shouldn't just sell you a machine, they should spend time with you to teach you how to use it to it's potential.  They should keep up to date on new techniques that they can teach you.  They should be able to service it for you!  They want your business and they want to keep your business.   I know that there are a few bad apples in the bunch, but in general they are your friend! 

     My second rule (guideline) is this:   
I don't like to buy a machine at a show, for several reasons.

1.  I want to support my local dealer.  If we don't support them, then they will GO AWAY!!!  I know that you can get some great deals at the sewing expos, but if you call your local dealer and tell them the show special, many of them will match it.

2.  I want someone to teach me how to use my machine.  If I buy at a show, I go home, and I don't have that resource any more.  I can't expect my local dealer to teach me for free if I did not buy the machine from them, so this will be an added cost.  Most sewists are not aware of this, but typically when you buy a machine from a dealer, the machine company gives a credit to the dealer to cover the cost of the classes.  For example (and I am just using round figures here), if you buy a mid-level Bernina, Bernina will give the dealer a $300 credit for 9 hours of classes to teach you how to use your machine.  If you buy your machine at a show, that show dealer gets the credit, not your local dealer.  

     *****  If you do buy your machine at a dealer that is not close to you, ask them to transfer the class credit to the dealer that is close to you (or the one you will be working with)!  That way, you can still go to your dealer (closer) to learn how to use your machine, she will get paid and you don't have an extra expense out of your pocket! *****

3.  I do not want to make an impulse buy.  If I have already done the research, that is one thing, but I do not want to make that kind of decision on an impulse.


     So now that I have given you food for thought about where to buy a machine, the next thing to think about is what does it need to do?  I have already talked about the reason for this whole thing to start with - I need an up to date, computerized machine, so I can be more familiar with what my students are using.  Just as important, I need it to be able to do 'my' kind of sewing!

     I will have continue in my next post - see you soon, and 

Happy Stitching!
Vaune

The Sewing Machine Saga

         Eeny Meeny, Miney, Mo..........
                The Search for a new machine

Over the next few days, I will be posting about my sewing machine search and giving some interesting tidbits as well.

     I have sewn for years, much longer than I care to admit!  The catch phrase of the day seems to be 'sewist', (although that term has not caught up to the dictionary yet, as spell check still tells me that it is not a word!).

     When I was 8, my mom got a brand new Viking sewing machine for Christmas, half from my dad and half from my Nanny (grandmother).  Her big project was to make curtains for our house.  As we moved about every 2 years, this would be an ongoing project!

     
    My Great-Aunt Renie was visiting and while my mom and Nanny worked on curtains, Aunt Renie taught me and my brothers how to sew on mom's old sewing machine.  We started out making bean bags - I bet my mom went through 20 pounds of dried beans that week.  My brothers soon tired of it, but I kept at it.  The first garment I made was a jumpsuit with long pants and long sleeves (Hey this was the early 70's - jumpsuits were IN).  The fabric was horrible - beige with stick chickens in black and white all over it, but it was in my mom's stash and there was enough yardage for what we needed.  It had a zipper up the front (Aunt Renie helped on that) and 2 pockets.  I thought I was stylin', and I sure wish I had kept it!

     My mom continued to sew, but was a functional sewer, not a creative sewer.  She sewed for a purpose (curtains, school clothes, etc.), not really for fun. When I started looking for a sewing machine of my own, she was the one who told me you really buy a dealer, not a machine.  We did not have a Viking dealer that was close (5 moves later), but there was a Bernina dealer that was about a half an hour away..................  and that was the beginning!
To be continued....



A little background on the sewing machine

     While history has made Elias Howe the 'father' of the sewing machine, in actuality, there were several sewing machines in play before Howe came on the scene.  The first machines (as far back as the mid 1700's and then early 1800's) were actually embroidery machines.  Several iterations by several different inventors focused on the chain stitch design - one Paris inventor who made a machine to stitch gloves was run out of town by the glove makers themselves, convinced that this new machine would destroy their jobs!










    Walter Hunt, an American, also designed a sewing machine in 1834,  What made his different was that the sewing machine needle had an eye at the pointy end (earlier versions had a needle with points at each end and the eye in the middle).  Having the eye at the end, piercing the fabric and catching the bobbin thread made a lockstitch instead of a chain stitch.  History has that he did not want to get lynched by the tailors, whose livelihood this would threaten, so did not pursue this any further.

     Elias Howe had worked as a mechanic, repairing looms in the mills.  Several different takes on this, but we know that a friend invested in him, and he was granted a patent in 1846 for a lockstitch sewing machine.  The fabric was fed in vertically!  He held a contest - sewing machine against 5 tailors and of course, his sewing machine won.  Again, tailors, afraid for their livelihood, chased him out of town.  In 1850, he saw Isaac Singer's sewing machine (and from the little I read, "Isaac Singer was a mechanic, an actor, and one of the most foul-tempered bigamists in antebellum America." - from What's in a name, 10/12/11 by Kimit Muston).
     By this time others had come up with other similar versions of the sewing machine and Howe made money off of patent royalties.

Who Knew?!!!!



     Sewing machines sure were a boon for the home sewer, and that is still true today!  While I am a true lover of hand stitching (as in embroidery), I don;t know that I would choose to do as much garment sewing if I had to put the garments together by hand.


Hope you enjoyed this, and 
Happy Stitching!
Vaune