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Celebrate National Sewing Machine Day!

Friday, June 13th 2025

Since the 1800s, sewing machines have been a pivotal part in society. Whether you sew yourself or have never touched a sewing machine, they support so many businesses, brands and products we love today.

To commemorate National Sewing Machine Day, travel with us through time and see just how far machines have come!

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1755 - The First Patent

In 1755, Charles Weisenthal issued a British patent for a machine designed with a needle. He wouldn’t go on to design a machine but this would spark interest from others.

1790 - The First Concept of a Machine 

Beginning as a cabinet maker, Thomas Saint designed the first ever sewing machine out of his London office. Designed with a hand crank and intended for leather, he received a patent different from Charles. No one knows if a prototype for this machine was ever made, only drawings done by Saint were found later. These drawings would serve purpose and in 1874 English engineer William Newson Wilson would create a replica based on these illustrations.

Image Source : Science Museum Group Collection

 

 Early 18th Century - Trial & Error

At the head of the 18th century, many engineers tried their hand at designing the first ever functional sewing machine. While there were a lot of good attempts, these machines either broke during first usage or the designs were unsuccessful.

Image Source : Smithsonian Magazine

1830 - The First Successful Sewing Machine

Years after Thomas Saint’s illustrations, a French tailor (Barthelemy Thimonnier) designs the very first functional sewing machine! The machine consisted of a hooked needle and one thread, creating a chain stitch.

Image Source: Contrado 

1830 - The Sewing Machine Riots

After Thimonnier’s successful design, he was employed by the French Army to make uniforms. He opened up his very first factory and began production immediately. Once other French tailors got wind of Thimonnier’'s invention, they felt threatened. A group of tailors went to Thimonnier’s factory and attempted to burn it down while he was inside! Thimonnier did live, but it caused a huge uproar in the tailoring industry while the machine sought to threaten job security.  

                         Image Source: Contrado

1845 - The First Lockstitch Machine

While many inventors from Germany and London were continuing to debate over the sewing machine, America was eager to try their hand at it. American native Elias Howe invents a sewing machine with a different process, what we now know as the lockstitch. Howe struggled to market his design to the American public, so he sailed to England in an attempt to pitch his ideas there. After his stay in England, he returned to America only to find out his design was stolen by a man named Isaac Merritt Singer.

Image Source: Custom Bag Patterns

1851 - Isaac Singer

In 1851, Isaac Singer designed the first modernized sewing machine with a foot pedal and an up/down needle. The birth of the company we all know today is born and sewing machines as they were will be forever changed. 

Image Source : History Today 

1889 - The First Electric Machine 

Singer Sewing Co. was taking the world by storm. Nearly 40 years after the invention of the foot pedal machine, Singer designs the very first electric machine.  

Image Source : Singer

1893 - Bernina is Born

The Bernina Company was created by Karl Friedrich after his invention of the first hemstitch sewing machine in Switzerland. The company was first known as Gegauf Hemstitcher and was originally going to only focus on specialized machines. By 1900, the company had grown massively and they began rolling out their household branded machines. With this, they decided to change the name to “Bernina” inspired by the “Piz Bernina”, a high mountain in the Swiss Alps.

Image Source : Bernina

 

1945 - The First Zig Zag Machine

In 1945, the company Bernina introduced the first portable zigzag stitch sewing machine! The invention of the zigzag stitch was accredited to Helen Blanchard in 1873, but wasn’t introduced to the consumer market until Bernina’s Model 117.

Image Source : Pinterest

 

1950s - Post War Prosperity 

After World War II, more people were sewing than ever before. This can be reflected in 1950's era post-war fashion. In this age, women were still at home and 85% of homes had electricity.

Image Source : Alamy

 

1980 - Embroidery & Sewing Machines

In 1980, Singer introduced a sewing machine that could embroider and sew all in one. With this follows the introduction of modern day machines.

Image Source: EBay

2025 - Modern Day Machines

After the 1980s, sewing machines would keep advancing into what we know today! Between automatic threading, LCD screens and built-in stitches, the sewing machines today are convenient and efficient.

Image Source : Bernina