Sewing Collection (#3)

Hoping you'll spend a nice time this Xmas and sew on (colour litho)
8656819 Hoping you'll spend a nice time this Xmas and sew on (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

World's Children: Sewing (colour litho)
8625666 World's Children: Sewing (colour litho) by Menpes, Mortimer Ludington (1855-1938); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sewing)

Family Portrait, 1828 (oil on canvas)
8715730 Family Portrait, 1828 (oil on canvas) by Baerentzen, Emilius Ditlev (1799-1868); Statens Museum for Kunst, Copenhagen, Denmark; (add.info.: By Emilius Baerentzen)

Engraving depicting a woman being rejected when asking for sewing as an outworker, 19th century
5308849 Engraving depicting a woman being rejected when asking for sewing as an outworker, 19th century; (add.info.: Engraving depicting a woman being rejected when asking for sewing as an outworker)

Advertisement for the "Guelph" sewing machine, 19th century (engraving)
5308691 Advertisement for the "Guelph" sewing machine, 19th century (engraving); Universal History Archive/UIG

19th century advertisement, for Wilcox & Gibbs, sewing machine 1880
5311104 19th century advertisement, for Wilcox & Gibbs, sewing machine 1880; (add.info.: Date: 1880); Universal History Archive/UIG

An engraving depicting woman sewing sheets on to the bands of a book, 19th century
5310959 An engraving depicting woman sewing sheets on to the bands of a book, 19th century; (add.info.: Date: 1885); Universal History Archive/UIG

A maid, c.1860 (print)
7293397 A maid, c.1860 (print); (add.info.: Society. Economy. Young maid sewing. Imagery, Epinal, France, ca 1860.); Photo: © Archives Charmet

Who can it be? (engraving)
8631215 Who can it be? (engraving) by Hatherell, William (1855-1928) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Who can it be? Woman sewing under a tree as a gentleman caller arrives)

8628884

8628882

Waiting for a bite (colour litho)
8634748 Waiting for a bite (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Waiting for a bite. Illustration for Chatterbox, 1907.); © Look and Learn

A labour of love (colour litho)
8656728 A labour of love (colour litho) by German School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: A labour of love. Woman mending a man's swimming costume. Postcard, early 20th century)

Humorous cat postcard (colour litho)
8643334 Humorous cat postcard (colour litho) by Thiele, Carl Robert Arthur (1860-1936); Private Collection; (add.info.: Humorous cat postcard)

An old country seat under repairs (colour litho)
8656251 An old country seat under repairs (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: An old country seat under repairs. Wife repairing husband's trousers)

Healthy level of lighting in the home (coloured engraving)
8655677 Healthy level of lighting in the home (coloured engraving) by French School, (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Healthy level of lighting in the home)

Human invention anticipated: Sewing (engraving)
8657933 Human invention anticipated: Sewing (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sewing)

Peeps into the life of early mankind (litho)
8676268 Peeps into the life of early mankind (litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Peeps into the life of early mankind)

3534 1
VEN5027194 3534 1; (add.info.: Allegorie du mois de Mars (signe de Belier) : les tisseuses ou les tisserands. Fresque de Francesco del Cossa (1435-1477) dans le Salon des Mois de Palazzo Schifanoia

Female ward at the Westminster Union, 1877
3479861 Female ward at the Westminster Union, 1877; (add.info.: Female ward at the Westminster Union (Workhouse). Old women (aged female paupers) sewing, 1877.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Group of young austrian seamstresses
3569017 Group of young austrian seamstresses; (add.info.: Austria 1900 ca. Photographer: Piekarowitz); Alinari Archives, Florence

Young women neglecting their sewing in their worry about a loved one posted missing, 1882
3480135 Young women neglecting their sewing in their worry about a loved one posted missing, 1882; (add.info.: Young women neglecting their sewing in their worry about a loved one posted missing)

Advertisement for a sewing machine for a Christmas present, 1869
3478759 Advertisement for a sewing machine for a Christmas present, 1869; (add.info.: Advertisement for a sewing machine for a Christmas present)

Table-top sewing machine, 1888
3479107 Table-top sewing machine, 1888; (add.info.: Table-top sewing machine driven by electric motor housed in flywheel. London, dated 1888.); Universal History Archive/UIG

WG Wilson's sewing machine attachments, 1880
3479098 WG Wilson's sewing machine attachments, 1880; (add.info.: W.G Wilson's sewing machine attachments: the plaiter or tucker)

An emery-bag, 1890
3479060 An emery-bag, 1890; (add.info.: An Emery-bag. Sewers would push their needles into the bag to remove rust. Circa 1890.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Blind women looks out of her window, 1882
3479054 Blind women looks out of her window, 1882; (add.info.: Temptress looking out of her garret window onto Smokey surroundings, cheered only by the song of the linnet which, being blind)

Canadian female sewing, 1883
3479048 Canadian female sewing, 1883; (add.info.: Illustration showing young Canadian female sewing, mending a piece of clothing. Dated 1883.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Two women, 1881
3479043 Two women, 1881; (add.info.: Illustration shows two women, one of them is shown sewing while another woman reads to them. Dated November 1881.); Universal History Archive/UIG

A good practical joke, 1869
3479116 A good practical joke, 1869; (add.info.: Illustration titled A good practical joke'. It shows a female viewing a foot powered sewing machine in box)

Teething trouble in the development of the sewing machine, 1869
3479115 Teething trouble in the development of the sewing machine, 1869; (add.info.: Teething trouble in the development of the sewing machine. Embarrassment caused by machine stitching come undone)

The Florence sewing machine, 1880
3479105 The Florence sewing machine, 1880; (add.info.: The Florence sewing machine. London, dated 1880.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Utility Embroiderer, 1888
3479095 Utility Embroiderer, 1888; (add.info.: Utility Embroiderer. This machine had two needles and the threads were passed through a pair of reciprocating guide)

Isaac Merritt Singer's sewing machine, 1851
3479092 Isaac Merritt Singer's sewing machine, 1851; (add.info.: Isaac Merritt Singer's first sewing machine, patented 1851.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Threading a sewing needle, 1849
3479039 Threading a sewing needle, 1849; (add.info.: Illustration shows a young lady seated, threading a sewing needle. Dated 1849.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Repairing an item of clothing, 1882
3479035 Repairing an item of clothing, 1882; (add.info.: Female shown repairing a piece of clothing with a sewing kit that is placed on the table. Dated 1882.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Females sewing clothing, 1882
3479033 Females sewing clothing, 1882; (add.info.: Illustration shows two females sewing clothing. Dated 24th June 1882.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Grandmother using a treadle sewing machine, 1892
3479117 Grandmother using a treadle sewing machine, 1892; (add.info.: Grandmother is shown seated at a table using a treadle sewing machine, while the mother is looking after her 3 children)

Advertisement for Grover & Baker's sewing machine. Engraving, Birmingham, 1870
2602840 Advertisement for Grover & Baker's sewing machine. Engraving, Birmingham, 1870.; (add.info.: Advertisement for Grover & Baker's sewing machine)

He made me observe the several methods used by farmers in managing their lands. From Gulliver's voyage to Laputa
2963125 He made me observe the several methods used by farmers in managing their lands. From Gulliver's voyage to Laputa

Isaac Merritt Singer (1811-1875) American inventor and manufacturer. Cover of booklet on the Singer sewing machine
530595 Isaac Merritt Singer (1811-1875) American inventor and manufacturer. Cover of booklet on the Singer sewing machine published New York c.1880

To little girls teach sewing, c.1910 (painting)
8833210 To little girls teach sewing, c.1910 (painting) by Ancher, Anna Kirstine (1859-1935); 63x53 cm; Skagens Museum, Denmark; (add.info)

Straw-hat makers, women and girl, sewing hats from braided and plaited straw in a milliner's shop
FLO4577816 Straw-hat makers, women and girl, sewing hats from braided and plaited straw in a milliner's shop. Handcoloured woodcut engraving from The Book of English Trades

Smee, the Bo'sun at work on his sewing machine (colour litho)
3642235 Smee, the Bo'sun at work on his sewing machine (colour litho) by White, Flora (1878-1953); Private Collection; (add.info.: Smee, the Bo'sun at work on his sewing machine)

A teacher with children
5616227 A teacher with children; (add.info.: Illustration depicting a teacher, at a Dame school, spinning while supervising children as they learn to sew. Dated 19th Century)

An engraving depicting a Utility Embroiderer. This machine has two needles
5311065 An engraving depicting a Utility Embroiderer. This machine has two needles, and the threads passed through a pair of reciprocating guides

An advertisement for a sewing machine for a Christmas present, 19th century
5311001 An advertisement for a sewing machine for a Christmas present, 19th century; (add.info.: Date: 1869); Universal History Archive/UIG

A group of Breton women and their embroideries
3078062 A group of Breton women and their embroideries; (add.info.: Photographic print of a group of Breton women, sat stitching)

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"In Love with the Art of Sewing: From Betsy Ross to Margot Fonteyn" Sewing has always been a labor of love, an art form that weaves together history and creativity. Just like Betsy Ross sewing the first American flag, captured beautifully in Henry Mosler's painting, it symbolizes patriotism and craftsmanship. The Singer sewing machine ad from the 1890s reminds us of how this revolutionary invention transformed the way garments were made. The Singer Sewing Machines factory in Clydebank became a hub for innovation and mass production, bringing sewing into every household. In Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice, Elizabeth Bennett hopes her handiwork will impress Mr. Bingley - a testament to how sewing was not only practical but also a means of expressing affection. "The Patchwork Quilt" evokes memories of cozy nights spent under handmade blankets stitched with care and love. Muriel Dawson's illustration "Little Miss Natty Fingers" captures the innocence and joy children find in learning this timeless skill. Hand block printing at Crysede Island Works in St Ives transports us to Cornwall in the 1930s when artisans meticulously crafted unique patterns on fabric using traditional techniques. A dressmaker's workshop is where dreams come true as fabrics are transformed into beautiful garments that make people feel confident and stylish, and is here that fashion takes shape through skilled hands guided by imagination. Even prima ballerina Margot Fonteyn knew the importance of attention to detail; she repaired her ballet shoes herself, ensuring perfection down to every stitch. This dedication exemplifies how sewing extends beyond clothing into other realms of artistry. Welsh Lady using a Singer Sewing Machine showcases how these machines brought convenience even to rural areas, empowering individuals with their own creative abilities while connecting communities through shared experiences. Lastly, Wheeler & Wilson industrial sewing machine engraving from c1890 illustrates how technology advanced alongside the art of sewing, enabling faster and more efficient production.