{"id":13365,"date":"2023-12-28T16:15:11","date_gmt":"2023-12-28T15:15:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sewingfaq.com\/?p=13365"},"modified":"2023-12-28T16:15:11","modified_gmt":"2023-12-28T15:15:11","slug":"how-much-did-the-first-sewing-machine-cost","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sewingfaq.com\/how-much-did-the-first-sewing-machine-cost\/","title":{"rendered":"How Much Did The First Sewing Machine Cost"},"content":{"rendered":"
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How Much Did The First Sewing Machine Cost?<\/h2>\n

The invention of the sewing machine was an important innovation in the world of fashion and garment-making, revolutionizing the way we sew and create garments. Prior to the invention of the sewing machine, manually sewing clothing was a time-consuming and laborious process. Today, sewing machines are ubiquitous in most households and are used for a variety of applications from basic mending to elaborate couture garments. But how much did the first sewing machine cost?<\/p>\n

The answer is that it depends on which sewing machine we are talking about as there is no definitive answer. The first sewing machine was invented in the 1790s by French tailor Barthelemy Thimonnier. This first machine was designed to sew clothing and used one single thread. Thimonnier’s invention was met with much controversy as the tailors and seamstresses of the time did not want to use the machine as they feared it would put them out of a job. However, Thimonnier was able to overcome this resistance and his invention was patented in 1830. It is unclear how much he sold his invention for, but it is thought that the cost of one of his early machines was between 250 to 300 francs.<\/p>\n

In 1846 Elias Howe, an American inventor, built upon Thimonnier’s invention and improved the design of the sewing machine. Howe patented his design in the same year and went on to found the first sewing machine company. His machines were sold for around $100 which would be equivalent to about $1800 today. Howe went on to make a fortune from his invention.<\/p>\n

As technology advanced, the cost of sewing machines declined as more designs were created and made available to the public. By the late 19th century, sewing machines had become a household staple and were available at a low cost. Wilcox & Gibbs, one of the leading sewing machine manufacturers of the time, sold machines for as little as $15 – a fraction of the original cost of Howe’s invention.<\/p>\n