The Various Types Of Sewing Machines: Find Out Which One Suits Your Needs

Invented during the first Industrial Revolution to reduce manual sewing work performed in clothing companies, sewing machines are among the most important pieces of equipment a person can own. These pieces of equipment not only revolutionized the shoe and garment industry in their introduction, they also modernized the domestic scene in terms of making clothes. Throughout the years, the sewing machine has undergone many improvements since its introduction and various models have been introduced by various manufacturers-say for example the very popular Singer Featherweight Sewing Machine. As such, equipping one with the information on the different types of sewing machines and the various criteria in finding the best machine would help individuals in their search of these pieces of equipment.

Sewing clothes have been known to people for more than 20,000 years. However, the use of a mechanical tool to sew clothes was introduced in 1830 when French tailor Barthelemey Thimonnier patented the first practical sewing machine. The invention of the machine, dubbed the “Queen of Invetions” by Gody’s magazine in 1860, as was aforementioned revolutionized the shoe and garment industries. It moved production from homes and small shops into large, machine-controlled environments which resulted to increased production and lower prices. On the other hand, in the domestic scene, women-who often did the sewing-welcomed the extra free hours for leisure and worthwhile pursuits brought about by the reduction of sewing hours.

The first commercially successful sewing machine was built by Isaac Singer in 1850. Singer’s machine was the first rigid-arm sewing machine that featured a table, a vertical presser foot, and an arm. The table works to support the cloth horizontally; the vertical presser foot holds cloth down against the upward stroke of the machine’s needle; while the arm works to hold the presser foot and the vertical needle-holding bar in position over the table. With the patented machine, Singer then founded the company The Singer Shop which until today is considered the largest manufacturer of sewing machines and with the number of machines the company already produced, the most notable machine they had was the Singer Featherweight Sewing Machine. Other companies that produce sewing machines today are Brother, Husqvarna, Viking, Pfaff, Janome, Bernina USA, and Necchi Sewing Machines.

The three general types of sewing machines are the following: mechanical sewing machines, electronic sewing machines, and computerized sewing machines. Sewing machines that are controlled by a rotary wheel and which require moving a dial for any adjustment are called mechanical sewing machines. On the other hand, electronic sewing machines though they feature some attributes of mechanical sewing machines are run via electricity and include some functions that can be accomplished simply by pressing a button. Next are computerized sewing machines that feature a computer which coordinates the various motors used for various features featured by the machine.

Various sewing machines also differ in some aspects like their stitch formation. Lockstitches, chain stitch, over lock, or cover stitch are some of the stitches that sewing machines use. Other than this, the feed mechanism or the system of motion of the material sewn on the machine so that each cycle of the needle motion involves a different part of the material may also differ. Feed mechanism can either be drop feed, needle feed, walking foot, puller feed, or manual feed. There are various models of sewing machines like the Singer featherweight sewing machine that can perform various stitches and have various feed mechanisms.

Finally, identifying the type of machine that one is to purchase require keen thinking. The most important criterion in the selection of one is the type of sewing one is to do-which can either be clothing, crafts, repairs and alterations, or home decorations. Another criterion is the place where the sewing will be done, hence, the area where the machine is to be placed. Singer featherweight sewing machines, for example, boast of their portability that allows them to be easily transported, stored, or kept aside. Lastly, and most importantly, is the amount of money one is willing to shell out to get a sewing machine. Providing answers to these criteria will allow one to make the right decision on which of the above mentioned sewing machines one is to purchase.

Serene Leonard is an office clerk and a mother of two from Honolulu, Hawaii. On her free time, she enjoys sewing clothes for her two small daughters using her Singer Featherweight sewing machine.