Sewing Collection (#4)

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)

Woman using an electric sewing machine. Engraving, New York, 1890
2602855 Woman using an electric sewing machine. Engraving, New York, 1890.; (add.info.: Woman using an electric sewing machine. Engraving, New York, 1890.); Universal History Archive/UIG

A sewing kit, 1881
3479063 A sewing kit, 1881; (add.info.: Woodcut illustration of a sewing kit, including scissors, needles and small hooking devices. Dated 1881.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Needlework at the dining table, 1849
3479056 Needlework at the dining table, 1849; (add.info.: Illustration shows a female, seated at a dining table, sewing a piece of material under candle light)

Female seated with her sewing case on the table, 1882
3479036 Female seated with her sewing case on the table, 1882; (add.info.: Illustration shows female seated with her sewing case on the table. Dated 13th May 1882.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Woman darns a sock by hand, 1850
3479023 Woman darns a sock by hand, 1850; (add.info.: Man watching with a sinister expression as a woman darns a sock by hand. 19th century illustration.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Advertisement for Wilcox & Gibbs, 1880
3479112 Advertisement for Wilcox & Gibbs, 1880; (add.info.: Advertisement for Wilcox & Gibbs sewing machines. Birmingham, dated the 15th January 1880.); Universal History Archive/UIG

WG Wilson's sewing machine attachments, 1880
3479102 WG Wilson's sewing machine attachments, 1880; (add.info.: W.G Wilson's sewing machine attachments: the plaiter or tucker)

JJ Greenough's sewing machine of 1842, 1842
3479089 JJ Greenough's sewing machine of 1842, 1842; (add.info.: J.J. Greenough's sewing machine of 1842.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Thomas saint's sewing machine, 1880
3479087 Thomas saint's sewing machine, 1880; (add.info.: Thomas saint's sewing machine, patented 17th July 1790. This machine had a horizontal cloth plate, an overhanging arm)

Knitting and sewing in London, 1850
3479042 Knitting and sewing in London, 1850; (add.info.: Two elderly women living in the East end of London making up the stockings and mittens they knitted and sold to make a few pence)

Female seated with her sewing case on the table, 1882
3479038 Female seated with her sewing case on the table, 1882; (add.info.: Illustration shows female seated with her sewing case on the table. Dated 13th May 1882.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Sewing behind a bush, 1871
3479034 Sewing behind a bush, 1871; (add.info.: Two females hiding behind a bush sewing, while a male silhouette is shown waiting behind the bush. Dated 1871.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Repairing an item of clothing, 1882
3479032 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

Work table, 1891
3479028 Work table, 1891; (add.info.: Illustration advertising a Work Table that contains a range of crafting materials such as cotton, sewing needles, scissors and knitting needles)

The daycare center of the Social House in Popincourt, Paris, 1903 (photo)
8672357 The daycare center of the Social House in Popincourt, Paris, 1903 (photo); Private Collection; (add.info.: The daycare center at the Maison Sociale in the working-class neighborhood of)

French agriculture. Sowing seed broadcast. Late 18th century (engraving from edition of La Fontaine Fables)
532325 French agriculture. Sowing seed broadcast. Late 18th century (engraving from edition of La Fontaine Fables); Universal History Archive/UIG

Home and family transformed into models of comfort and smartness by the housewife's industry with the help of
530590 Home and family transformed into models of comfort and smartness by the housewife's industry with the help of the Singer sewing machine (engraving); (add.info)

Helping Grannie (colour litho)
8641609 Helping Grannie (colour litho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Helping Grannie. Illustration for The Prize, 1888.); © Look and Learn

8628881

8628879

8626923

Lighting in a sitting room, mid 1930s (b/w photo)
8634926 Lighting in a sitting room, mid 1930s (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Lighting in a sitting room, mid 1930s)

An engraving depicting the drilling of needle eyes: in this operation, the punched eye was drilled smooth so that it
5311326 An engraving depicting the drilling of needle eyes: in this operation, the punched eye was drilled smooth so that it did not cut the thread

An engraving depicting a young girl learning to sew in a cottage kitchen, 19th century
5311134 An engraving depicting a young girl learning to sew in a cottage kitchen, 19th century; (add.info.: Date: 1879); Universal History Archive/UIG

Cartoon commenting on the teething problems in the development of the sewing machine, 19th century
5308961 Cartoon commenting on the teething problems in the development of the sewing machine, 19th century; (add.info.: Cartoon commenting on the teething problems in the development of the sewing)

Sisters
5616041 Sisters; (add.info.: Illustration titled Sisters depicting sisters sat beside the fireplace. Dated 19th Century. 01/01/1872); Universal History Archive/UIG

Godey's ladies home fashions, 1880s
NWI4956339 Godey's ladies home fashions, 1880s.; (add.info.: Godey's ladies home fashions, 1880s.); Photo © North Wind Pictures

Couturier. Image belonging to the series " Collection of suits of Spain" (18th c.). Engraving. SPAIN
CUL4872464 Couturier. Image belonging to the series " Collection of suits of Spain" (18th c.). Engraving. SPAIN. MADRID (AUTONOMOUS COMMUNITY). Madrid

Mimi Pinson. (Illustration, ca. 1910)
5975875 Mimi Pinson. (Illustration, ca. 1910); Private Collection; (add.info.: Company. -... morals. Mimi Pinson (grisette et couturiere in Paris) in the sewing workshop

Advertisement for a Wilcox & Gibbs sewing machine, 19th century
5308821 Advertisement for a Wilcox & Gibbs sewing machine, 19th century; (add.info.: Advertisement for a Wilcox & Gibbs sewing machine. Dated 19th century 01/02/1870); Universal History Archive/UIG

Cartoon depicting an old lady having difficulty threading a sewing needle, 19th century
5308811 Cartoon depicting an old lady having difficulty threading a sewing needle, 19th century; (add.info.: Cartoon depicting an old lady having difficulty threading a sewing needle)

Weed sewing machine, 1880
3479111 Weed sewing machine, 1880; (add.info.: Weed sewing machine, as improved by G.A. Fairfield. This made lock-stich with a straight eye-pointed needle and a reciprocating shuttle)

Seated female sewing material, 1888
3479053 Seated female sewing material, 1888; (add.info.: Illustration shows female seated, sewing a piece of material. Dated 1888.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Easily threaded needle, 1888
3479027 Easily threaded needle, 1888; (add.info.: Easily threaded needle. Once pulled down the thread did not slip out easily as the slit sprang close)

WG Wilson's sewing machine attachments, 1880
3479099 WG Wilson's sewing machine attachments, 1880; (add.info.: W.G Wilson's sewing machine attachments: the plaiter or tucker)

HA Bonneville's sewing machine, 1864
3479093 HA Bonneville's sewing machine, 1864; (add.info.: H.A Bonneville's sewing machine. London, dated 1864.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Women embroidering sarongs, 1880
3479190 Women embroidering sarongs, 1880; (add.info.: Women embroidering sarongs, Sumatra, 1880.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Dinner table needlework, 1893
3479055 Dinner table needlework, 1893; (add.info.: Women and daughter sitting at the dinner table, practicing their needlework. Dated 1893.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Wife and Husband are shown on the balcony, 1883
3479050 Wife and Husband are shown on the balcony, 1883; (add.info.: Wife and Husband are shown on the balcony, the wife is sewing a piece of clothing, with her portable workbasket beside her)

Family Life, 1865
3479041 Family Life, 1865; (add.info.: Family life. Mother and one daughter are shown sewing, while another pours the tea. London, dated 1865.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Threading a sewing needle, 1849
3479040 Threading a sewing needle, 1849; (add.info.: Illustration shows an old lady having difficulty threading a sewing needle. Dated 1849.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Travelling salesman
2602703 Travelling salesman; (add.info.: Travelling salesman showing strong check material made of hemp to a housewife. Once a speciality of Wigan)

Willcox & Gibbs Letter G sewing machine, sewing machine by Wheeler & Wilson
2602856 Willcox & Gibbs Letter G sewing machine, sewing machine by Wheeler & Wilson, and various stitches available on machines

Pupils from a school in the German fashion
3569338 Pupils from a school in the German fashion; (add.info.: Germany 1880-1890 Photographer: Blumberg); Alinari Archives, Florence

Young woman, sewing, 1884
3478874 Young woman, sewing, 1884; (add.info.: For English 19th century, young women, sewing needlework was considered a suitable remunerative employment)

Village School
864813 Village School; (add.info.: Village School. A Dame School, showing the teacher spinning while supervising the children as they learn to read and sew)

Russo-Japanese War 1904-1905: Workroom in the Winter Palace, St Petersburg, supervised by the Tsarina, 1904 (print)
538068 Russo-Japanese War 1904-1905: Workroom in the Winter Palace, St Petersburg, supervised by the Tsarina, 1904 (print); (add.info.: Russo-Japanese War 1904-1905: Workroom in the Winter Palace)

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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.