TALK by SUE SERCOMBE ON THE HISTORY OF THE SEWING MACHINE

Sue entertained us with a slide show of a selection of Machines and their history – starting in 1755 – some made in Germany, France, USA and here in Manchester.

She had brought part of her own collection of machines which were fascinating to see at close hand and she started her talk by saying that although many people still have collections of machines – inherited from family members – they are usually not worth much, as there were so many made that most of them were eventually worth only scrap value!!

I have taken the following pictures from the internet being some of the variety talked about by Sue.

 The Windsor machine

  A Singer – I learnt to sew on this type (my mothers) – a hand operated model.

It was eventually adapted to become a treadle but I never really liked it as my feet and hands seemed to work in different directions and my stitching met itself coming the other way!!!

However this was the one that fascinated me the most as it was made in Colditz by the prisoners, ostensibly to make theatrical costumes, but needless to say other clothing was also being made at the same time!!
Co-incidentally I did in fact see it on a television programme earlier this week - about the making of an ‘escape aeroplane’ which showed this machine in one of the scenes.Thanks to Sue for a fascinating afternoon.