The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-12-30
SB WING MACHINES.

The following article, which is copied from the
NsW York Tribune of the 9th OF November, gives a
description Of the various Sowing Machines in exist.
cnoo, and accords to DIR, Avery's machine tho pref
orence over all others See advertisement in another
| column
"Tailors and seamstrcsses contend that the sewing
done by machinery is not substantial We think
this is an erroneous opinion. 1t seems to us, on
careful examination to be strong and durable as
is necessary; moreover, ii is done moro evenly and
regularly than by hand.
I'VE have examined six Sowing Machines, viz:
a. That Of Elias Howe, jr, patented September,
l846, sold for 1928
80 That Of l. NJ Singer, sold for Sl25.
"3 That of A. B, Wilson, patented November,
1850
~. That Of NJ Magnin--a French invention.
as. That of Morey 4 johnson, Of Massachusetts,
&c. That of DR. Otis Avery patented October,
1882 sold for s2j. sold by Charles Nettleton. 25I
Broadway, New York
Mr.. Howes is the first practical Sewing Machine
invented be considers that tho others infringe upon
his patent and threatens to sue their purchasers
accordingly. He uses two threads and an accurate
idea Of his seam will bo formed by twisting two
threads together, and imagining them disposed as
that the point whore they each other is always
in the cloth-onc Of them forming the visible portion
Of the stitch SIDE and tho other on tho other
The machines Of Singer, Wilson, and Morey d John.
ton, use noodles Of kind different from Howes. but
produce the stitch his OF these four all are
equally correct and good in respect to mechanical
principlesj but, as they differ widely in many par
ticulars - ono being vertical, and another horizon
IT,.
quiring that IT should be carried by hand - actual
trial only decide which ID tho best for practical
use and such trial We have not had the opportu.
nifty Of witnessing. We have, however, seen shirts
pantnoons, coats and Morocco shoes, made by them,
and have thoroughly tried the strength of tho seams
and havo found thcm satisfactory In most IL not all
casos tho material would give way and tear but tho
sewing would not rip. Tho perfect regularity of the
stitches mado by these machines renders them very
useful for fancy work like rt-bosoms For an inch
Of seam, three inohcs Of thread are used A person
with a machine will do from Ave 10 ton times a,
much work rs with tho needle In several large
shops they are used, and many persons wear gar.
monts mado by them, without a suspicion Of the
fact.
Magnin's machine operates with a single thread
and produces what is known as tho tambour stitch.
II may do you for embroidery, and has even boon
arranged with several needles and used for that pur
pose, but II Is worth nothing for sewing It's princ
pal defects arc, that when ono stitch Is broken the
whole seam will unravol that II requires eight
inches Of thread for every inch OF sewing and that
In fancy work 1t gives different results ON tho two
rides Of cloth.
DR.. Avery's machine. exhibited horo at tho Fair Of
the American Institute, is completely original It's
features and arrangements not being borrowed from
those Of other inventors. II operates with two nee
dies and two threads, which IL intsrlocks In some
thing like tambour stitch. We hsvo Examined It's
work with great care, and have cut ovory othcr
stitch on ono side Of the CLOTH and stiff havo found
the seam quite ss strong ms any other. having none
Of tho defects Of tho ordinary tambour stitch. 1t
uses more thread than either Of the other American
machines, but loss than the French. In respect to
rapidity OF work. We think there Ia no great differ
once The great advantages Of Avery's machine are
Its moro simple mechanism and its great ehcapnsss
For household use, these arc Of great imporsn In
respect to pricc, wo judge that tho machines nov
sold for $l25 will have ~ como down very consider
ably before they AFRO extensively adopted by tho
.-Ns~ York Trib9as.