What is a sewing machine and how does it work?

The joining of two softs through a seam is called sewing. A sewing machine takes over this process and connects the individual parts to a finished product. It is used industrially, but can also be purchased at home. The desired properties can be achieved by choosing the right sewing thread and the right stitch pattern. It can also combine different materials, such as inelastic and elastic or leather and fabric. The seams are very durable and stable. For making a seam connects the sewing machine one or more threads of a yarn together. During this process, the so-called upper thread is pushed through the fabric together with a needle. After that takes the graba part of the upper thread and devoured him using a bobbin with the bobbin thread. Now the transporter pushes the material on for the next stitch.

The first sewing machine

From the 14th century to 1830, everything was sewn by hand and Schneider was a respected profession. The first idea for sewing with the machine came in the middle of the 18th century. The British-based German Charles Frederick Wiesenthal experimented in 1755 for the first time with the production of a seam. In 1790, the Englishman Thomas Saint invented the first sewing machine for the shoemakers. After that, many more tried but in 1839 Elias Howe managed to develop a machine that made 300 passes a minute. After offering these two manufacturers, which they rejected, he went from the US to England. Since there was no success there, he returned two years later back to the US, where meanwhile Isaac Merrit Singer has managed what he had dreamed. Singer had built and patented the „Singer 1“ in eleven days and with only 40 borrowed dollars. The purchase price was $ 100. Howe challenged the patent and achieved only a partial success. The sales profit had to be shared with him and Howe got Howe until his death at 48 years weekly $ 4,000.

buying criteria

When choosing the right sewing machine, it must be taken into account whether it should be for a beginner or advanced. As an advanced or professional you know best what you need and what to look for. But just beginners are often overwhelmed with the variety of features and equipment of the machines. First, a sewing machine must be solid and secure. The presser foot must be of high quality and can be lifted so far that the desired fabric fits underneath. The machine should have at least 4 different stitch types. This should be a zigzag stitch, buttonhole stitch, straight stitch and lockstitch. So the hem can be attached at the beginning and end. A programmable needle stop is not essential, but very convenient. This feature makes it possible to determine whether the needle stops in or above the fabric. If the needle is still in the fabric, the fabric can be rotated better. Also helpful is the free arm. That is, a part of the sewing machine can be removed to pull tight sleeves or trouser legs like a tube onto the sewing surface and sew on. The new machine should definitely have a lighting and a foot pedal, which controls the speed. The automatic thread tension, which can also be adjusted manually, is perfect if you yourself are not so experienced in adjusting. All symbols and their functions, on the sewing machine or on the monitor, should be easy to understand and recognize. Should it be transported more often, a carrying handle is very helpful.