THE HISTORY OF SEWING

20,000 YEARS AGO Hand sewing used animal bones (needles) and sinew (thread made from tendons or ligaments)

EARLY FABRICS First leaves and grasses were used. Next, all parts of an animal were used to help humans to survive. Hides became leather. Wool taken from sheep became yarn to be woven. Silkworms spun fine threads also to be woven. Cotton became thread for weaving.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5i8KRcccDw

14TH CENTURY EUROPE The first iron needles were formed. The needles made small holes, but did not have an “eye”. There were no buttons, snaps, zippers or velcro. Most clothing was tied or sashed together. Knights wore a protective, moveable armor which was made from links of woven chain.

Can you put the following in order of which came first? Velcro Snap Button Zipper #1 Button -1200’s #2 Snap-1885 #3 Zipper-1917 #4 Velcro-1948

15TH CENTURY EUROPE This made clothing faster and easier to make. A needle with an “eye” was produced. This made clothing faster and easier to make. Tapestries for walls were embroidered. Which famous artist invented the modern form of scissors? Leonardo da Vinci

EUROPEAN VILLAGE LIFE Everyone in the village had a job to support the community. “Tailors” were the master sewers for the village. They were men.

1790’s – 1830’s Sewing machines were invented. Elias Howe invented the first successful sewing machine in the USA. 1st machines worked with gears and pulleys The hand wheel needed to be manually turned for the needle to move. There was no mass production of clothing or other items for the home or business.

USA 1840’S “PATENT” wars begin in the USA between Isaac Singer and Elias Howe. Other inventions at this time were the “cotton gin” and the “steamboat”

USA 1850’S Singer receives the 1st patent on sewing machines in the USA Mass production of the machine occurs. This lowers the machine price so that more homes can afford. Look at the design. What do your feet do?

How does the Treadle Machine work? How to Treadle - 1913 Serata treadle - YouTube

USA CLOTHING FACTORY 1900

USA CLOTHING FACTORY 1900’S

SEWING INDUSTRY TODAY Clothing Shoemaking Upholstery Sail making Bookbinding Sporting goods

NIKE SWEAT SHOPS These are two sweat shops in Mexico and China. Long hours, little pay and hazardous conditions are there. Many of the workers are children and grandparents.

DID YOU KNOW? Rochester is the base for the world famous, men’s clothing factory Hickey Freeman. Most of the “tailors” are men. Famous athletes and celebrities have custom made clothing from this local business! Rochester was also famous for it’s button factory

21st CENTURY SEWING MACHINES Our classroom sewing machines still run with complicated gear and pulley systems. Add in electricity and a computer chip and sewing becomes faster, easier and more creative!

TODAY’S INDUSTRIAL SEWING MACHINES This industrial sewing machine has multiple computer parts. Some of them run by themselves! Would you like to design the computer program for one of these machines?