I had read about this book somewhere ( probably while searching online for sewing/ history books I would guess!) so I ordered a second hand copy from World Of Books. It arrived last week and I read it yesterday, then got up & finished it before breakfast today. That makes 4 books read in the last 5 days!
The book tells the story of “ One Sewing Machine. Two families. Three secrets. Four generations. Millions of stitches” - and begins in 1911 at the Singer Sewing Machine factory in Clydebank, Scotland. It was a lovely story, and in the Acknowledgements the author Natalie Fergie references a film of the Singer Factory in the National Library of Scotland, entitled “ Birth of a Sewing Machine”.
Wow, the film is spectacular, absolutely fascinating. And even more amazing to think that my 201K was made in a similar factory nearby in Kilbowie. Here is the link to the film - Birth of a Sewing Machine
Every part of the manufacturing process was done on site, from casting the metal body, enamelling the machine body and adding the transfers ( which were also made at the factory) to making the needles, the cabinets, and shipping the machines off all over the world. They even had their own printing press for the manuals!
Of course it was all done by hand - there was an amazing array of specialist equipment, tools and machines involved, but still …to watch the film and see all the pieces assembled together by hand, tested and polished ( each needle was hand tested, mind blowing!) it is utterly fascinating to watch. To think that someone built my Singer, put the decals on, the drive shaft and crank wheel, the bentwood cover ( which I really must oil & take more care off!), polished it and wrapped it up ready to be shipped off… the stories it could tell!
I just had it serviced last week, because the bobbin wheel was playing up. I have not had a chance to try it out yet - today is the day! I just bought a piece of fabric with a lovely vintage-y looking print, I think I will make it into a dress -and sew it up on my vintage Singer machine!
Here is a great website - Singer - for some history of the Singer Factories, as well as lots of info about the different machines.
I've read that! it really is a great story. Thanks for all the links. Well done on reading so many books - I just finished one in 2 days, stayed up till after 12 last night to finish, made going to work today a little tough though. The Dress Thief by Natalie Evans. I have several more waiting to read including the latest in the Outlander series. Gave my grandmothers singer a run over Christmas to mend some boat covers for my in-laws. Amazing I can't remember it ever being serviced - it too needs so love and attention. Can't wait to see what you create.
ReplyDelete“Go Tell a the Bees” is on my list too - I got about a third of the way through but got tired of trying to remember who was who, so I ordered the Outlandish Companion Volume 2- going to read the summaries of the last 3 books to get up to speed!
DeleteI borrowed that book from the library a few years ago, and enjoyed reading it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link to the film - I'll have to check it out when I have some time.
I must admit I watched the film in 15 second jumps ( there were slow bits with the written info) but I will watch it again, the whole hands on process it absolutely fascinating.
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