| Initially, sewing machines were manufactured for | | | | Industrial sewing machines, like their domestic |
| garment factory production lines, allowing for clothing to | | | | counterparts for the home, were created to simplify |
| become uniformly mass-produced. It was French tailor | | | | and speed up the otherwise labor-intensive hand |
| Barthelemy Thimonnier who invented the first | | | | stitching. The domestic sewing machine is |
| functioning sewing machine in 1830 for use in his | | | | manufactured to perform many tasks from sewing |
| garment factory. | | | | straight or zigzag stitches and the creation of |
| This original machine used only one thread and a | | | | buttonholes, as well as stitching buttons on to the piece |
| hooked needle for a chain stitch. His factory was burnt | | | | of clothing. Sewing machines were adapted for use in |
| down and he was nearly killed by an angry mob of | | | | industrial settings, allowing for clothing to become |
| French tailors who were afraid his machines would | | | | uniformly mass-produced. The industrial sewing |
| leave them unemployed. A few years later in America, | | | | machines are generally designed to perform a specific |
| Walter Hunt shared the same fears, and abandoned | | | | sewing function such as embroidery or applying |
| the work to patent his own version of a straight-seam | | | | buttonholes. Companies from all over the world |
| sewing machine. The fears were unfounded, as | | | | manufacture industrial sewing machines with very |
| industrial sewing machines created multiple job | | | | basic features as well as higher-end computer |
| opportunities worldwide. | | | | operated models. |
| Modern garment factories incorporate the same mass | | | | A variety of machines with different functions are |
| production techniques as other industries, with each | | | | operated to complete clothing items in a production line. |
| workstation completing one part of the overall job. | | | | A few examples would be a Bag Closer sewing |
| Industrial sewing machines are generally designed to | | | | machine which is used for sewing a single thread |
| perform one specific sewing function such as | | | | chain-stitch, a high-speed plain sewer is used for |
| embroidery. Machines with different functions are | | | | stitching seems and double needle machines are used |
| operated to complete clothing items in a production line. | | | | for adding top stitching details to items like jeans. |
| Marketing to individuals didn't begin until 1889, allowing | | | | Walking foot machines are invaluable for quilting and |
| for women to have the means to create clothing for | | | | sewing coats, as it keeps the fabric moving along |
| their family without the labor-intensive hand stitching. | | | | without bunching and making for a smoother and |
| The domestic sewing machine used in the home is | | | | faster production. Overlock serger sewing machines, |
| manufactured to perform many tasks from sewing | | | | which are also available in smaller versions for the |
| straight or zigzag stitches and the creation of | | | | home, create the whipped V stitch along the edge of |
| buttonholes, as well as stitching buttons on to the piece | | | | a seam of T-shirts and other stretchable fabrics. |
| of clothing. | | | | |