The Textile Artist's Studio Handbook

(RAY)

(Fogra 39) Job:02-28051 Title:RP-Textile Artist Handbook

#175 DTP:225 Page:138

138-151_28051.indd 138 3/6/12 8:54 PM

(RAY)

(Fogra 39) Job:02-28051 Title:RP-Textile Artist Handbook

#175 DTP:225 Page:139

138-151_28051.indd 139 3/6/12 8:54 PM

(Text)

The TexT ile ArT isT 's sTudio hAndbook

138

A Brief History of Sewing

Like most textile media, it is difficult to say exactly

when the techniques originated, but archeologists be-

lieve sewing developed in its simplest stages during

the prehistoric Paleolithic era. Needles were formed

from bone and animal sinew, while veins and intestine

were used for thread.

Hand sewing is worked with a needle and thread

and employs several basic stitches, such as the run-

ning stitch, basting stitch, whipstitch, and backstitch.

Hand sewing can be a painstaking and laborious prac-

tice, but it is a very useful skill, especially for mend-

ing and tailoring. Prior to the invention of the sewing

machine in the nineteenth century, clothing and home

décor goods were sewn by hand. Today, hand sewing

and tailoring is the mark of high quality goods.

Fundamentally, sewing is a technique that binds

materials together for construction and decora-

tion. It is the basis for many textile processes,

such as quilting, embroidery, appliqué, beading,

and tapestry. Before you can quilt or appliqué, you

need to know the basics of hand sewing, and of

course, for speed and ease it’s nice to know how

to sew by machine. Sewing is a difficult topic to

cover in only one chapter, but we’re happy to get

you started and interested in one of the oldest and

easiest of the textile media.

The tools for sewing, quilting and

applique are many and are small (and

inexpensive), so this is where good

organization and storage comes in

handy.

Sewing, Quilting,

and Appliqué

8

chapter

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(Fogra 39) Job:02-28051 Title:RP-Textile Artist Handbook

#175 DTP:225 Page:138

138-151_28051.indd 138 3/6/12 7:32 PM

(Text)

The TexT ile ArT isT 's sTudio hAndbook

139

Machine sewing is definitely faster than hand

sewing and a quality sewing machine is a good invest-

ment and relatively inexpensive. With the invention of

the sewing machine during the Industrial Revolution,

the garment and textile industry changed dramati-

cally, allowing for the mass production of clothing and

other goods. Sewing machines also became a staple

in many households. The first sewing machine pat-

ent was issued to Thomas Saint in 1790, but it is not

known whether a prototype was ever created. Many

other patents were awarded, but nothing was truly

successful until Isaac Singer’s lockstitch machine.

Although Singer is the name associated with the in-

vention of the sewing machine, Walter Hunt was the

first inventor of the lockstitch machine, but he never

patented the idea because he believed the machine

would lead to unemployment! Elias Howe was the

first to patent the machine, and he later got into “pat-

ent wars” with Isaac Singer. Howe earned several

million dollars from patent royalties after winning his

case against Singer. Today there are many types of

sewing machines, including computerized models

that stitch beautiful embroidery and several novelty

construction stitches.

Again, sewing is worthy of its own book, but in

this chapter, you’ll learn basic hand stitches and how

to sew a seam on a sewing machine. From there, gar-

ment construction, quilt work, and appliqué are only

a step away.

Equipping Your Studio

Whether you sew now and again to finish other forms

of textile media or it is your main process, we recom-

mend equipping your studio with the following items:

Home Sewing Machine

• Machine, sewing, and embroidery needles

in different sizes

• Bobbins

• Iron and ironing board

• Variety of sewing thread

• Dressmaker straight pins (lots of them!)

• Pin Cushion

• Fabric scissors (that you use for fabric ONLY)

• Seam ripper

• Tape measure

• Tailor’s chalk or fabric marking pens

• Yardstick

For Quilting:

• Rotary cutter

• Clear rulers

• Cutting mat

Optional, but nice to have:

• Serger

• Thread stand or other good thread storage

• Dress form (for garment construction)

• Quilting frame

If you plan to quilt or construct clothing, you will need

ample table space, preferably with a padded surface

(see project page 26). Whether you use commercial

sewing patterns or a dress form to drape and create

your own patterns, you’ll need room! Sewing is really

the transformation of two-dimensional fabric into a

three-dimensional garment, toy, drapery, or just about

anything made from textiles.

(RAY)

(Fogra 39) Job:02-28051 Title:RP-Textile Artist Handbook

#175 DTP:225 Page:139

138-151_28051.indd 139 3/6/12 7:32 PM