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Singer 221K Featherweight
A Giant Step from Drudgery to Delight
During the mid-19th century, every spare minute in a woman's workday was used for sewing and mending much-needed household garments by hand. A new shirt for the husband might take 14 hours; a new calico dress, 6 1/2 hours. Needless to say, the wardrobes of many were much smaller than ours today! All of this changed, however, with the invention of the sewing machine. When the sewing machine became a mass-produced item in the late 1850s, it was hailed as a marvel. But, as with any new and expensive item, it took some ingenious marketing to be accepted. At a cost of around $125, it was a big investment at a time when a family's annual income was around $500. Not to be daunted by skepticism, sewing machine manufacturers swayed the public with several clever options. One manufacturer set up "shops" where the women could come in and sew for several hours on the new machines. Another manufacturer offered free sewing machines to the wives of ministers in small towns. He knew that these women were promoters of good taste and that others in the community soon would follow suit. To ease the expense of this highly desired item, a system of monthly installments was devised, making the purchase more manageable. Sometimes a community would pool its funds to purchase a single shared machine. Either way, the simple act of sewing, which had long been looked upon as time-consuming drudgery, could now be viewed as a source of pleasure and creativity. No longer were garments made in the simplest of form; now it was possible to add row upon row of ruffles, frills, tucks, or other embellishments. The sewing machine opened the window for inspiration. It was considered such a valued part of the home, you often see old photos of a family posing with its machine; a testament to its importance in a busy household. |
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