Object number
81/36
Collection
Exhibition
Creator
Description
Small Singer sewing machine for children, machine No. 20, circa 1922. The machine comes with a clamp, accessories and an instruction booklet all inside a cardboard box. The machine makes a single thread chain-stitch. Part of the Barnett Collection (81/25-81/143) which illustrates the history of the sewing 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.
Physical description
1 sewing machine, clamp, box: metal, felt, cardboard
Label Text
<DIV STYLE="text-align:Justify;font-family:Georgia;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;font-size:16;color:#000000;"><P><SPAN><SPAN>Part of the Barnett Collection of Sewing Machines // James Nutcombe Barnett was a University of Reading member of staff from 1964, working for the Department of Cybernetics and Engineering, until his death on October 4th 1978. The sewing machines were bequeathed to the university and became part of the Museum of English Rural Life collection in 1981. // The descriptions below include: manufacturer's name, model, use and when available a date. // ... Bottom Shelf // … 81/36 Singer No. 20 for girls, c. 1922</SPAN></SPAN></P></DIV>
Archival history
MERL 'Handwritten accession' form (Institute of Agricultural History) – 'Standard museum name: Sewing Machine // Accession number: 81/36 // Classification: // Negative number: // Acquisition method: // Acquired from, date: Barnett Collection // Store: exhibition // Condition: // Recorder, date: DJE, 22.7.81 // Description: Small Singer sewing machine for girls. Machine No. 20 circa 1922.// complete with box and instructions // Dimensions: // Associated information: // References:', Citation in publication [E.J. Barnett, ‘Sewing machines: a catalogue of the Barnett collection’ ([Reading]: University of Reading, 1982] – Barnett collection catalogue (University of Reading, 1982) - '47 // Singer child's machine // This makes a single thread chain-stitch similar to the other child's machines.' (p.35), Email, Will Phillips to Oliver Douglas, 29 June 2009 - 'Hello there Ollie, // The objects you've found in your office are the predictable mix of 'straight-forwards' and 'problems' … The sewing machine box is the tricky one. As I recall, it was loaned out to someone back when MERL was on the main University campus (pre-2004), but never came back. I don't know who was in charge of loans at the time it went out but I didn't find any paperwork associated with it. I kept the empty box in my office during the relocation in the hope that the sewing machine would turn up during the redisplay, but it never did. I suspect it might have to be written off unless Roy [Brigden] can recall who borrowed it at the old MERL. // Sorry I can't be of immediate help. // All the best, // Will // Will Phillips // Keeper of Social History // Buckinghamshire County Museum Resource Centre ...', Barnett Collection Review (2011) - 'This machine was found separated from its box at the time of review. The box had been stored in what subsequently became the office of the Assistant Curator. The appropriate machine has now been identified as a result of the review and reunited with the box.', MERL Miscellaneous note - The sewing machine was arguably the first internationally mass marketed consumer good, and the Singer Manufacturing Company was predominantly responsible for this. Founded by travelling showman Isaac Singer in 1851, the American company flourished not because of its technical expertise but due to its innovative advertising and purchasing options. Notably, it invented hire purchase and part exchange. Its factory in Clydebank, Scotland, was one of the largest in the world, and produced machines not only for the UK but also globally. By 1912, 90% of sewing machines purchased outside the USA were Singer machines. Singer was the seventh largest company in the world at this time. [Added by Tim Jerrome for the Barnett project, 2022]
Production place
United States of America
Production date
1922 - 1922
Object name
Material
Dimensions
- Length 170 mm
- Width 170 mm
- Height 100 mm
Associated subject