The Sewing Machine
By: Michaela Schwyhart
The machine to change the world of sewing forever!
The invention of the sewing machine is often credited to Elias Howe. However, he was not the original inventor. The true inventor of this machine was Barthelemy Thimmonier. In the year 1830, Thimmonier designed and built 80 of these sewing machines so that he could stitch uniforms for the French army. The machine's speed and accuracy made this process quick and simple. Unfortunately for Thimmonier, a group of tailors broke into his shop one day and smashed all of his machines. They did this in fear that his machines would destroy their business. Thimmonier later died in poverty.
Barthelemy Thimmonier
How It Works
A hooked needle would pass through the cloth, and catch the thread under the fabric. When the needle was moved upwards, it created a loop of thread above this fabric. These steps would repeat until a chain stitch was created.
The purpose of this machine was to be able to stitch together cloth quicker, easier, and quite possibly cheaper.
We know the cause, but how about the effect?
Because of the invention of the Sewing Machine, tailors could now sew together their clothing with ease, and in less time. The faster their clothing was made, the more customers they could take on, the more money they would make, and so on. Had this machine not been invented, tailors around the world would have to find other methods of stitching their cloth together, like using the old-fashioned hand method.