• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
  • Forum
  • Design Studio
  • Upholstery Jobs
  • Newsletter
  • Sponsors

The Hog Ring

Auto Upholstery Community

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

The Story of the Sewing Machine

June 18, 2015 By Naseem Muaddi

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Antique Sewing Machine

The sewing machine is so common it’s difficult to imagine that it was ever considered a revolutionary technology that was going to forever change the world both domestically and commercially. However, like today’s 3D printers, that’s exactly what it was and exactly what it did.

Recently, while browsing through The New York Times’ archives, I stumbled upon a 155-year-old article that perfectly captures the buzz and excitement surrounding the sewing machine when it was a relatively new tool.

The article, titled “The Story of the Sewing Machine,” was published on Jan. 7, 1860 and tells the story of Elias Howe Jr., the man credited with inventing the world’s first lockstitch sewing machine 14 years prior.

The unknown author goes into great detail about Howe’s early struggles, his eventual success, and the many improvements made to his invention that took it from a horizontal-needle machine only useful in large commercial applications to a vertical-needle machine suitable for nearly anything.

Much emphasis was placed on the impact the sewing machine had on industry. Here’s an excerpt:

The time saved in manufacturing different articles of clothing is an important item. The sewing upon a gentleman’s shirt can be accomplished with ease in one hour upon a first-class sewing machine. It would take 14 hours of close and weary application to do the same by hand. A pair of pantaloons can be made in one hour by the machine, that would take a smart seamstress five hours to make. A frock-coat requiring 17 hours of constant work by hand, can be made with a machine in three hours. Seams of considerable length are ordinarily sewed with the best machines, at the rate of a yard a minute, and that too in manner far superior to hand sewing, besides being more healthy for those engaged. Saving of time superiority in work and healthfulness, are three strong commendations.

Nowadays, it’s easy to take the sewing machine for granted. In fact, from time to time you can even find one curbside waiting for trash pickup. What’s so fabulous about this article is that it takes us back to a time when the technology was new and people could truly appreciate it.

To read the full article, see “The Story of the Sewing-Machine: It’s Invention, Improvements, Social, Industrial and Commercial Importance.”

Filed Under: Archive, Industry History Tagged With: Auto Trim, Auto Upholstery, Car Interior, Sewing Machine

Primary Sidebar

anal porno bangbros rus porno yaşlı porno konulu porno olgun porno porno izle sarışın porno bakire sex 69 porno

THR Sponsors

NC Sewing Machines
Miami Corporation - Right Rail Ad 3
  • Douglass Interior Products
  • Leather Craft
  • Albright's Supply
  • Hyde Leather
  • OEM+ Banner Ad - The Hog Ring
  • Keyston Bros

THR Favorites

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - 2013 Chevrolet Camaro Vinyl Top

2013 Chevrolet Camaro Rocks the Vinyl Top

In September, we reported on a new trend in … [more] about 2013 Chevrolet Camaro Rocks the Vinyl Top

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Stitches Custom Auto Upholstery

Shop Profile: Stitches Custom Upholstery

Tony Miller of Stitches Custom Auto … [more] about Shop Profile: Stitches Custom Upholstery

What’s Your Type of Upholstery Shop?

Auto upholstery isn’t a uniform industry … [more] about What’s Your Type of Upholstery Shop?

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Door Panel Vinyl

Where to Find Mustang Door Panel Vinyl

Since its debut in 2005, the fifth-generation … [more] about Where to Find Mustang Door Panel Vinyl

5 Celebrities Who Can Upholster

Great upholsterers are creative free … [more] about 5 Celebrities Who Can Upholster

The Hog Ring - Customs by Vos 1967 Ford Mustang

Customs by Vos Built a Mustang Interior That Will Blow Your Mind

Elite trim shops do more than cut, sew and … [more] about Customs by Vos Built a Mustang Interior That Will Blow Your Mind

Categories

Footer

Recent Articles

  • NC’s Golden Ticket Sale: Upgrade Your Machine, Win Gear & Take Your Shop to the Next Level!
  • Meet Hyphyn: The Biodegradable Vinyl Changing the Game for Trimmers
  • 108 Years of Classic Cars and Upholstery: Who Will Take Over Swales Styleline?
  • Pangea Turns Leftover Auto Leather Into Opportunity for Detroit Veterans
  • Trimmer Edward Krasnowski Dies at 65

Recent Comments

  • Edward Munday on Hidden Mouse Nest? How to Charge for the Extra Dirty Work
  • Jack on Keyston Bros. Acquires DLT Corporation
  • Brodie Smith on Aston Martin Just Introduced a New Convertible DB12
  • THE CAPTAIN on 6 Tips for Turning Callers into Customers
  • Dmei on Star Wars Seat Covers are ‘So Wizard’

Advertise With Us!

We're always looking for companies to collaborate with. Watch this short video about the benefits of sponsorship and then email us to say hi.

Copyright © 2025 · Magazine Pro On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in