For millenia, sewing was for survival. Men and women depended on sewing skills to keep warm and provide shelter. We often think of sewing as a womans domain, however, in primitive times sewing was an essential skill for everyone to survive.
Sewing skills were passed from parent to child. These were survival skills. Sewing was required for making clothes, tents, and blankets. Shelter, bodily protection, warmth, life, and survival relied on sewing.
Primitive people used needles made of bone, thorns, or wood. Later metal needles came into use. Strips of bark, plant vines, and leather strips were used as thread. Later threads were made of processed plant fibers. Animal skins and plant fibers were used as fabric.
Until 1846, virtually all sewing was done by hand. With the invention of the sewing machine by Elias Howe, and the broader industrial revolution, sewing became mechanized. Suddenly, an operator with the new sewing machine was able to produce finished projects equal to the five of the fastest hand sewers. Unlike the hand sewer, the new sewing machine is capable of working hour after hour, never growing tired.
By 1900, every home in America viewed the new sewing machine as an essential tool for the welfare of the family. Mothers taught their daughters to sew. Sewing became a required life skill taught in every school. Knowing how to sew was viewed as an essential life skill. Clothing construction and repair were viewed as vital economic necessities.
In recent years, things have changed. Most public schools have reduced or phased out sewing instruction. Women now face huge challenges at home and in the workplace. Most women find themselves having to balance a multitude of family pressures. The rise of sports for girls, has in many ways replaced opportunities to learn how to sew. The days when girls learned to sew from mother and grandmother, are rapidly fading away. The result is a fading art. Sewing and quilting could become lost arts.
Today, however, there is a huge revival taking place in sewing and quilting interest. The tide appears to be turning. More people sew and quilt today than for many years.
Sewing has changed. In the past, sewing was a necessity, a responsibility, a task to be done out of necessity. The machines were often difficult to use. Sewing was work.
Today, sewing has changed. Now sewing is fun, easy, relaxing, thrilling, creative self expression. Now sewing is easier than ever before. The tools of sewing make sewing more accurate, easier, more productive, and much more satisfying. Modern sewing machines have features that take the work out of sewing. The design of sewing machines takes advantage of the most advanced computer technologies available. Machines have hundreds and hundred of dynamic stitches, built in alphabets, needle up/needle down, easy reverse, start/stop and slide speed control, powerful pulse DC motors, automatic threading, automatic tensions, automatic thread trimmers, even elaborate machine embroidery.
The resurgence of sewing in the modern era is mind boggling. If someone had suggested in 1900 that a sewing machine like Berninas new 830 would cost $12,000, they could not have imagined it. Yet, in spite of the price tag, our stores have already sold half a dozen, and the machine has just been released. The passion of the modern sewer far exceeds the have-to mentality of ages past. Today people sew because they want to. The demand for sewing instruction has caused the creation of thousands of sewing classes, clubs, and sharing groups. Many public and private schools are to teaching sewing again.
Finding sewing resources is usually pretty easy because there are so many people who love to sew and quilt. If you are unsure how to find them, or are interested in learning more about sewing or quilting; begin your search now.
Here are a few places you can look: Yellow Pages under sewing machine dealers; local churches, library, recreation centers, schools, quilt shops, and the internet. Check out sewing and quilting books and ecourses. Sign up for classes. Remember, modern sewing is an exciting hobby that enables your personal gratification, self expression, and creativity.
Sewing skills were passed from parent to child. These were survival skills. Sewing was required for making clothes, tents, and blankets. Shelter, bodily protection, warmth, life, and survival relied on sewing.
Primitive people used needles made of bone, thorns, or wood. Later metal needles came into use. Strips of bark, plant vines, and leather strips were used as thread. Later threads were made of processed plant fibers. Animal skins and plant fibers were used as fabric.
Until 1846, virtually all sewing was done by hand. With the invention of the sewing machine by Elias Howe, and the broader industrial revolution, sewing became mechanized. Suddenly, an operator with the new sewing machine was able to produce finished projects equal to the five of the fastest hand sewers. Unlike the hand sewer, the new sewing machine is capable of working hour after hour, never growing tired.
By 1900, every home in America viewed the new sewing machine as an essential tool for the welfare of the family. Mothers taught their daughters to sew. Sewing became a required life skill taught in every school. Knowing how to sew was viewed as an essential life skill. Clothing construction and repair were viewed as vital economic necessities.
In recent years, things have changed. Most public schools have reduced or phased out sewing instruction. Women now face huge challenges at home and in the workplace. Most women find themselves having to balance a multitude of family pressures. The rise of sports for girls, has in many ways replaced opportunities to learn how to sew. The days when girls learned to sew from mother and grandmother, are rapidly fading away. The result is a fading art. Sewing and quilting could become lost arts.
Today, however, there is a huge revival taking place in sewing and quilting interest. The tide appears to be turning. More people sew and quilt today than for many years.
Sewing has changed. In the past, sewing was a necessity, a responsibility, a task to be done out of necessity. The machines were often difficult to use. Sewing was work.
Today, sewing has changed. Now sewing is fun, easy, relaxing, thrilling, creative self expression. Now sewing is easier than ever before. The tools of sewing make sewing more accurate, easier, more productive, and much more satisfying. Modern sewing machines have features that take the work out of sewing. The design of sewing machines takes advantage of the most advanced computer technologies available. Machines have hundreds and hundred of dynamic stitches, built in alphabets, needle up/needle down, easy reverse, start/stop and slide speed control, powerful pulse DC motors, automatic threading, automatic tensions, automatic thread trimmers, even elaborate machine embroidery.
The resurgence of sewing in the modern era is mind boggling. If someone had suggested in 1900 that a sewing machine like Berninas new 830 would cost $12,000, they could not have imagined it. Yet, in spite of the price tag, our stores have already sold half a dozen, and the machine has just been released. The passion of the modern sewer far exceeds the have-to mentality of ages past. Today people sew because they want to. The demand for sewing instruction has caused the creation of thousands of sewing classes, clubs, and sharing groups. Many public and private schools are to teaching sewing again.
Finding sewing resources is usually pretty easy because there are so many people who love to sew and quilt. If you are unsure how to find them, or are interested in learning more about sewing or quilting; begin your search now.
Here are a few places you can look: Yellow Pages under sewing machine dealers; local churches, library, recreation centers, schools, quilt shops, and the internet. Check out sewing and quilting books and ecourses. Sign up for classes. Remember, modern sewing is an exciting hobby that enables your personal gratification, self expression, and creativity.
About the Author:
Sewing Educator Donna Trumble teaches sewing instructions in her many ebooks, articles, and resources. Now you can get basic sewing instructions in her free ebook Top Ten Sewing Answers.
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