Objektnummer
81/33
Ophav
Beskrivelse
Lewis Blind-stitch sewing machine. This machines produces a lock-stitch which is visiable only on one side of the material. Part of the Barnett Collection (81/25-81/143) which illustrates the history of the sewing machine. Nothing is known about the history of this specific machine.
Invented in the early 19th century, the sewing machine sped up the process of making clothes both domestically and commercially. Within the home, it reduced the amount of time women spent tailoring clothes for their families, enabling them to craft more garments for sale. Due to the sewing machine, the clothing industry flourished, with different fashions becoming available for the middle classes. However, workers did not see an increase in wages and they suffered in dreadful working conditions. The demand for better wages formed an important arm of the suffragette movement.
Fysisk beskrivelse
1 sewing machine: metal
Arkivhistorik
MERL 'Handwritten accession' form (Institute of Agricultural History) – 'Standard museum name: Sewing Machine // Accession number: 81/33 // Classification: // Negative number: // Acquisition method: // Acquired from, date: Barnett Collection // Store: // Condition: // Recorder, date: DJE, 21.7.81 // Description: Lewis sewing machine // Dimensions: // Associated information: // References: Barnett Collection Catalogue No. 65a', Citation in publication [E.J. Barnett, ‘Sewing machines: a catalogue of the Barnett collection’ ([Reading]: University of Reading, 1982] – '65a // Lewis Blind-stitch machine // This type of machine makes a lock-stitch which is visible only on one side of the material, producing a similar effect to the 9C1 [no. 70] but with much greater durability. The first picture shows the wide bed and the second the narrow bed. // 65b // Narrow bed version' (p.49), Barnett Collection Review (2011) - 'This machine was made in the USA and was manufactured by Lewis. It is a blind-stitcher for sewing hems where you do not want the seam to be visible. All machines of this type in England were imported as nobody here made this kind of device. It may be characterised as an industrial machine that exhibits a moderate degree of specialisation. In this respect it should be compared with MERL 81/34, which represents a slightly greater degree of specialisation. It features hand-carved graffiti etched into its painted surface, which reads 'CLAIRE'.'
Produktionssted
United States of America
Objektnavn
Materiale
Mål
- Height 440 mm
- Length 480 mm
- Width 165 mm