To Sew Collection

3671316

3671398

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)

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

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)

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)

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

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)

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)

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

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)

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

For sale as Licensed Images

Choose your image, Select your licence and Download the media

In the early 20th century, women found solace and purpose in the art of sewing. As depicted in these captivating artworks, it was a skill that transcended time and brought communities together. In "Woman in front of her house, 1914, " an oil on canvas masterpiece, we witness a serene scene where a woman sits outside her humble abode engrossed in needlework. The delicate strokes capture her concentration as she meticulously sews, perhaps mending clothes or creating something new for her loved ones. Moving forward to the 1920s, we encounter another glimpse into this timeless craft with "Women Sewing. " A black and white photograph freezes moments of camaraderie among women gathered around their sewing machines. Their determined expressions reveal not only their dedication but also the bond they share through this shared passion. The series of numbers - 3671485, 3671490, 3671489 - hint at more hidden treasures within these works. Each number unlocks a different image showcasing various aspects of sewing: from tools like needles and threads (3671393) to intricate patterns being traced onto fabric (3671383). These glimpses offer us insight into the meticulous process behind every stitch. But sewing wasn't limited to domestic settings alone; it extended beyond homes and spilled into public spaces like workshops. In "Sewing Workshop, " captured circa 1920 in another striking black and white photo, we see rows upon rows of women hunched over tables filled with fabrics. The room buzzes with creativity as ideas are exchanged amidst laughter and conversation – truly an inspiring sight. Not all depictions are photographs or paintings; some artists chose pencil on paper to convey their admiration for this age-old craft. One such example is "A Woman Sewing (Femme cousant), " which showcases the simplicity yet elegance that can be achieved through minimalistic lines on paper. Through these captivating images spanning decades, we are reminded of the power of sewing.