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Machine, Sewing

Machine, Sewing


Title	Machine, Sewing
Coverage / Year	1890 to 1895
Description	Black cast iron Singer brand sewing machine in an oak vaneered case with a lid and two drawers per side. Cast iron bracket legs and treadle. Leather drive belt on the drive wheel at the side.
Interpretation	There is nothing really remarkable about this particular sewing machine, but sewing machines like this one transformed the lives of millions of Americans. The machines made it possible to sew clothing more quickly and consistently, and changed how Americans dressed. The Singer company began making sewing machines for home use in 1859, and millions like this one were eventually sold. Elias Howe received the first sewing machine patent in 1846 and sewing machines became popular right before the Civil War began. Although the machine made it possible to sew clothing faster, in the end it did not save very much time. Women were now expected to have more clothing than before, and many actually spent much more time sewing.
Lesson Plans / Themes	American Communities in History; Antebellum Society and the Civil War
Learning Standards	16 History; 15 Economics;
Author or Creator	Early American Museum
Subject / Keywords	Sewing; Clothing & dress; Sewing machine; Economics; Singer; Technology; Women;
Collection Publisher	Early American Museum
Further Information	For any further information related to this record, please contact the Collection Publisher. See http://images.library.uiuc.edu/projects/tdc for more information about this project.
Rights Management Statement	http://images.library.uiuc.edu/projects/tdc/conditions.htm
Resource Identifier	E69.12.1
CONTENTdm file name	6.jpg

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