Talk:Sewing machine/Archive 1

Everything2 article
The change in this text was taken from my sewing machine write up from everything2.com, the original sources for this are listed at the end of that write up.

Authors home node :

— Preceding unsigned comment added by 195.92.168.179 (talk • contribs) 22:56, 7 January 2004 (UTC)

Sewing machine article - Miscellaneous info
This portion of the article is vague, misleading, and not terribly helpful.

For one thing, the instructions for threading a sewing machine do not relate to the most common type of machine and appear to be for a serger--a specialty machine which is quite different. I'm not sure if they're correct, not being a serger user myself.

The instructions on sewing just don't seem like the sort of material a reader would be looking for here

If I had time and proper expertise, I'd write something, but I'm just trying to figure out why my machine is skipping stitches, and this was the first hit on Google. --70.231.140.143 00:04, 17 January 2006 (UTC)


 * This is an encyclopedia, not a Help Desk. If you need help with your sewing machine, read the manual or contact the manufacturer's Customer Service Department. &mdash;QuicksilverT @ 18:56, 21 September 2006 (UTC)

The introductory information at the top of the article needs a complete rewrite. The first paragraph is incorrect: Most industrial machines do not produce an overlock stitch. Chain stitch is not, as implied, obsolete. The second paragraph is so tersely telegraphic as to be unreadable. Let me suggest the following as a starting point for further discussion:

REMOVED Since another user approved my proposed copy and moved it into the article, I am removing the proposed copy from this discussion page as redundant and no longer necessary.--Sfriedberg 03:21, 2 October 2007 (UTC)

Modern info section needed
This page is all history. I came here wanting to know what modern machines do, are rotary shuttles still used, how different feet work (I remember using complicated feet thirty years ago to make curtains with great success). Nothing! Perhaps someone can remedy this. Photo's of shuttles and diagrams of stitches would help. --86.135.122.223 15:41, 20 August 2007 (UTC)

Looking again I see to my surprise that this talk page is full of stuff that could well have been put straight into the article. Normally this page is for talk about the constructing the article! Still need basic descriptions though. --86.135.122.223 15:46, 20 August 2007 (UTC)

How do they work?
Sewing machines are among the most gayest devices out there. Intuitively, to sew something (just like to tie a knot) you have to let go of something at some part of the process. But machines aren't good at letting go of things and grabbing them again. Somewhere there needs to be an explanation of how the thread goes all the way around the bobbin without getting tangled in whatever it is that keeps the bobbin turning. HowStuffWorks has an animated diagram that gives the impression the bobbin just turns by itself. Are sewing machines covered by the magician's code? If people think this explanation should be under lockstitch, there should be an indication here that the explanation of how it works is there.

- Mark Foskey 20:43, 13 November 2007 (UTC)

Mark, I have been thinking about doing a series of animations that illustrate how the various stitches are formed, but this is a very low priority right now. To answer your questions without the benefit of pictures, the bobbin is surrounded by the hook which is mounted on the end of a rotating shaft. The hook captures the needle thread loop and guides it so that the thread does not simply wrap around the shaft. There are rotating-hook machines and oscillating-hook machines and they guide the thread in quite different ways. If I am looking at the same animated diagram of a rotating hook that you are, there is an error due to simplification. The half of the needle thread loop toward the view does pass over the free end of the bobbin, hook and shaft as shown. However, the other half of the needle thread loop can not pass through the shaft as shown in that animation. It remains to one side of the shaft until the other side of the loop has passed around the bobbin and hook.

The details of how sewing machines work would fill a book on mechanical movements, and you would have to get into dynamics (loop thread formation) as well as kinematics. You can reasonably ask for more detail, but it may be unreasonable to expect Wikipedia to provide the content usually found in a college engineering library or specialist literature. You might want to visit Vintage Sewing Machines for a more diverse set of stitch animations.

Examples of Probably-Too-Much-Information detail: The bobbin rotates only as the bobbin thread is drawn out. It spins freely within the hook, not driven by any mechanical mechanism. The hook, on the other hand, is rigidly attached to a power shaft which can be oriented either vertically (double-needle machines always are set up this way) or horizontally. The exact way the hook works depends on the shaft orientation as well as whether the shaft rotates or oscillates. It can even make a difference whether the shaft is horizontal in-line with the feed direction or horizontal perpendicular to the feed direction. And there are still a few sewing machines based on a shuttle mechanism, which predated the cylindrical hook, that form a lockstitch differently (although a topologist would say they work like oscillating-hook machines.) --Sfriedberg 00:35, 15 November 2007 (UTC)

From the antique and newer domestic sewing machine I have and have seen, there are basically 3 types of bobbin thread mechanism: the shuttle, the oscillating hook, and the rotating hook. They all three work, simply put, by holding the bobbin and its "case" loosely in some sort of frame or carrier so that the upper thread may be passed over it. In the case of the shuttle type, the bobbin case is the shuttle. It is held by a finger at each end agains an arc-shaped race that is stationary. the fingers are attached to a lever that swings back-and forth. The events of the machine are timed such that, as the needle starts to withdraw, the thread forms a loop, which is caught by the pointed end of the shuttle. The shuttle moves on past the lloop, and, since it just sits between the two fingers, the thread is able to move around it, and slip off the back, wrapping around the bobbin (lower) thread. By now the needle is well up, and the take-up arm quickly rises, pulling the loop tight, allowing the shuttle to reverse direction and start over. In the oscillating hook (or, at least the Singer version) the bobbin case is a seperate part that "rides" in the middle of the hook and is held by its shape front oscillating. Since the bobbin and case just sit there, they have enough free movement for the thread to pass around them. The rotating hook is constructed virtually the same, except the hook roates instead of rotating back and forth.4.244.84.8 (talk) 02:39, 21 June 2008 (UTC)

Improved lock-stitch animation
I think the current animation has a glaring flaw, in that it misses a very important principle of how lock-stitch sewing machines work: it depicts the hook passing the needle at bottom dead center (BDC), but in fact the needle has to have begun its upstroke before the hook passes it. This is because the friction between the thread and the fabric is slightly greater than that between the thread and the needle, so as the needle begins to rise from BDC, it causes the thread to form a loop above the eye. This, in addition to the profile of the needle (it has a scalloped out section called "the scarf" above the eye), helps to assure that the hook always collects the thread.

With this in mind I have taken the liberty of creating an edited version of the animation which shows the needle descending further and then starting to rise as the hook passes it. I've only posted it to an image hosting site for now because I'm not sure what the protocol is for updating an existing image, or even if it is permitted or discouraged. If someone more experienced (this is my first ever Wikipedia edit) could tell me what I should do, I will be more than happy to do it.

Antagony1960 (talk) 11:20, 11 May 2010 (UTC)

REVISION NEEDED
Sorry to be blunt, but I came across this article tonight and it is in need of a major re-write by someone qualified in both grammar and expertise on the subject. The article itself starts without any sort of definitive opening - such as a definition of what a "sewing machine" is. It instead starts right out talking about chain stitches! There should be a paragraph describing what a sewing machine IS - it is a machine for using thread to stitch (bind) together pieces of fabric, in order to create objects out of textiles, including clothing, upholstery, etc. Then it should give a history, types of machines, major makers, etc., instead of giving any sort of direction on how to use one - that should be put into separate articles (perhaps in WikiHow.) Anyway, not to be disrespectful, but I was genuinely looking for some info on sewing machines and this article was very confusing, and had many grammatical errors. If I knew more about sewing machines I would do it myself. Poppapo (talk) 07:58, 30 November 2007 (UTC)


 * I agree. And what in the world is meant by the "industrial revolution?" Please be more specific, there were dozens of industrial revolutions all around the world. Wolfdog (talk) 02:48, 15 January 2008 (UTC)

Over the next few days I can try to work on some of the introduction and history sections. I just finished a paper on the history of the sewing machine, so I know a bit about that. I'm not a great writer, but it would be hard for me to make this worse than it is. :) Shoshonna (talk) 20:53, 21 January 2008 (UTC) i agrre gh gadsww yoiyiyiyi  —Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.7.223.74 (talk) 19:33, 19 February 2008 (UTC)


 * You bet. The history section wanders around and has no themes. I think that's because it's an really complicated topic, with all sorts of messy interconnections. But I think it's a pretty good start. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Ozga (talk • contribs) 04:24, 5 July 2009 (UTC)

Perhaps the article should start with discussion of modern sewing machines, then have the history below? Lriley47 (talk) 18:38, 11 July 2010 (UTC)

References need revision, lock stitch animation is rotary hook
References 1 and 4 are the same web page.

The lock stitch animation is for a rotary hook machine; the oscillating hook design, used in most home sewing machines, is ignored in this article. While the rotary hook is considered to be a better design, the oscillating hook is less expensive to produce. If I had references for this information, I would put it into the article. Also, I suspect that some references in the article to "rotary hook" should be "oscillating hook". An oscillating hook rotates, but does not go all the way around like a rotary hook does.

To reduce confusion, it might be helpful to separate discussions of household and industrial machines. For instance, almost all household machines that I have ever seen have a drop feed, although some have the option of manual feed and a few have what the manufacturer calls a walking foot, but is actually a puller feed. To understand household machines, you don't need to talk about needle feed at all.

This article does not even touch on the subject of attachments and presser feet.

Lriley47 (talk) 18:38, 11 July 2010 (UTC)

General Article Critique
This article gives a history of the sewing machine from its first creation and including all notable modifications throughout the years. In brief, but descriptive paragraphs, the different inventors that have patented it break down the history of the sewing machine. The first inventor of the sewing machine is given credit to Thomas Saint, although a tangible working model of his design was never created. The article also goes into a short explanation of the patent battle between Elias Howe and Isaac Merritt Singer over the way the needle worked on their particular models. Howe was victorious in the court battle and thus made Singer and other inventors have to pay him for every model they created using his patented design. Soon all developers were issuing patents on their models, which started the “Sewing Machine War” and a collaboration of the main inventors of the time to form the ‘Sewing Machine Combination’ in 1856. This way only four companies could dominate the market and force all others to pay them for license to their machines until the last patent expired. After this major event the article just goes back to listing the notable contributions invented over the years until modern times and the invention of electric machines and how they advanced production in clothing, shoe making, and numerous other textile related areas. The article is well written in terms of correct grammatical usage and structure, yet the short paragraphs that describe each different focal point lack flow from topic to topic. The use of images to depict antique sewing machine models to modern day machines is helpful to actually see and compare the differences made over time. The two extra sections attached to this article about stitch formation and feed mechanisms help to cover the minute differences that may not be noticed from machine to machine just by sight and helps the reader to better comprehend why patents were so important to copyright new additions to the sewing machine. The sources listed at the end of the article mostly link to credible sources like the International Sewing Machine Collectors' Society, U.S. Patent 10,609, and a research thesis “A Stitch in Time: The Rise and Fall of the Sewing Machine Patent Thicket” by Adam Mossoff, a George Mason University Law student. There are a few links that lead to sites that have credible information but no real author so it is hard to tell if they should be trusted or not. The fact that the article only links to eight sources, though makes it easier to believe that additions to it are not frivolous but seemed necessary for future readers. —Preceding unsigned comment added by HIST406-10chigginb (talk • contribs) 03:34, 4 October 2010 (UTC)

Historical determinants
Some information on the motivation for inventing the sewing machine would be helpful. suggests it was because the Industrial Revolution produced more fabric than could be hand sewn. Is that supported by other historians? -- Beland (talk) 22:14, 1 February 2011 (UTC)

History and development
Of Elias Howe's machine we're told that "The major improvement he made was to have the needle running away from the point, starting from the eye" -- what does that even mean? If it means an eye-pointed needle, the previous paragraph states that these were incorporated into sewing machine design a decade earlier. Can someone with more knowledge than I please clarify this? Cactus Wren (talk) 19:10, 3 May 2011 (UTC)

Cut it out!
Excuse the pun, but I notice that the See Also section has dire warnings that the world will end if people add any more interesting sites. I just added a couple that were deleted a while back and so far have not been struck dead. Lighten up. This is the sewing machine article after all, not machine gun ownership. I remember years ago a friend telling me that her most exciting relationships had always been with exotic fabrics...some of us are weird that way, and sew on... Gandydancer (talk) 22:56, 26 January 2013 (UTC)

Lockstitch animation is wrong yet again
The current lockstitch animation has the rotary hook passing entirely through the loop of yellow thread. This cannot happen in real life since the rotary hook has to be attached to a shaft and the yellow thread would just wrap around the shaft. Most confoundingly, it appears the current lockstitch animation replaced an earlier version which did not have that flaw. I undid the change and amused that I've seen SO many different animations of the rotary hook mechanism that are wrong in the same way. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.16.144.120 (talk) 03:08, 12 November 2013 (UTC)

Domestic vs Industrial
new section which contrast domestic and industrial, I think this is an important topic because it is in the lead, and I would like to know. --Inayity (talk) 19:00, 29 August 2014 (UTC)

Time to make a dress shirt and a dress
>It would take a seamstress at least 14 hours to make a dress shirt for a man; a dress took 10 hours,

Is this correct? Why did it take three hours less to make a dress? Thank you. Rissa, copy editor (talk) 00:15, 10 January 2015 (UTC)
 * Depends on the design of course, but it's entirely possible. A "dress" (unqualified) probably means something functional but plain. Such a dress wouldn't have been particularly carefully fitted either, so the seams are simple. A "dress shirt" in contrast is the finest of shirts: careful work, maybe more darts etc. to fit it. Along with collar and cuff detail and a large number of buttonholes. Andy Dingley (talk) 00:31, 10 January 2015 (UTC)


 * Thank you, that's very interesting.

Diminshed role
>This reduced labor resulted in women having a diminished role in household management,

Have women have ever had a "diminished role" in the management of their households despite whatever new labor-saving device has come on the market? Rissa, copy editor (talk) 00:59, 10 January 2015 (UTC)


 * Hey, look what I found:

http://www.historytoday.com/joan-perkin/sewing-machines-liberation-or-drudgery-women


 * I think a woman who sewed one man's dress shirt by hand in 14 hours would have felt the obligation to make three in the same time with her sewing machine, one for her husband, the others for two of her five sons. Or six petticoats for each of her six daughters.  Or two tablecloths and ten pillowcases.  I did a lot of research last fall on on women's magazines from 1850-1925.  I'd like to add a couple of sentences about the ones devoted to women sewing in their households to this entry. Rissa, copy editor (talk) 01:24, 10 January 2015 (UTC)

Spread and maturation
Besides sounding uncomfortably like a description of middle age, many readers will not understand what "Spread and maturation" means. Is there a better term? Rissa, copy editor (talk) 03:21, 12 January 2015 (UTC)

Dates
>He went into partnership with Nathaniel Wheeler to produce a machine with a rotary hook instead of a shuttle. This was far quieter and smoother than other methods with the result that the Wheeler & Wilson Company produced more machines in the 1850s and 1860s than any other manufacturer. Wilson also invented the four-motion feed mechanism that is still seen on every sewing machine today. This had a forward, down, back and up motion, which drew the cloth through in an even and smooth motion. Charles Miller patented the first machine to stitch buttonholes

Would it be possible to get dates for when these were invented or patented? Rotary hook, four-motion feed, buttonholes and chain stitch (in the next paragraph). Thank you. Rissa, copy editor (talk) 03:43, 12 January 2015 (UTC)

I need to know what year is AA467236 Val19867 (talk) 18:38, 1 July 2018 (UTC)


 * It's a 1925 Model 127, see (and several other sites). Andy Dingley (talk) 18:48, 1 July 2018 (UTC)