Curving Seams: The Twisted History of Sewing Machines in America

Join us at the Evanston History Center for a special in-person presentation by Josh Chernoff. The domestic sewing machine, which became commercially available in the 1850s, transformed the entire textile industry and changed the way all Americans acquired clothing, and changed the way many worked. It was a vital part of the Industrial Revolution. This presentation will explore the growth of the sewing machine and its interactions with and influences on industrial design, culture, trade, technology, and gender roles.

Josh Chernoff, a long-time Evanstonian, has been a quilter and fiber artist for 35 years. For 30+ years, he was also a corporate consultant, often working in the apparel and textile sectors. He is also a passionate collector and restorer of vintage sewing machines, a hobby that began when he inherited his grandmother’s 1921 Singer Model 66 treadle-operated sewing machine. His collection of more than 25 machines includes American, German, Swiss, Italian, and Japanese sewing machines from 1920 to 1970.

This program is free and open to all. Registration is required: https://evanstonhistorycenter.org/event/curving-seams-the-twisted-history-of-sewing-machines-in-america/