Sewing machine adoption and the growth of home sewing and ready-made garments (c. 1846–1890)

1. Howe secures U.S. sewing-machine patent

   Sep 10, 1846Labels: Elias Howe, Lockstitch

   • Smithsonian
   • Britannica

2. Grover and Baker patent a competing stitch

   Feb 11, 1851Labels: Grover &, Alternate stitch

   • Smithsonian
   • Britannica

3. Singer patents improved, practical sewing machine

   Aug 12, 1851Labels: Isaac Singer, Singer machine

   • History Today
   • Smithsonian

4. Early U.S. pattern publishing supports home dressmaking

   Jan 1, 1854Labels: Paper patterns, Home dressmaking

   • FIDM Museum
   • Encyclopedia com

5. Patent pool formed to end sewing-machine litigation

   Oct 24, 1856Labels: Sewing Machine, Albany Agreement

   • Smithsonian
   • Wikipedia

6. Demorest’s fashion publication expands pattern access

   Jan 1, 1860Labels: Demorest, Fashion publication

   • FIDM Museum
   • Wikipedia

7. Civil War demand expands large-scale garment production

   Apr 12, 1861Labels: Civil War, Military uniforms

   • NPS
   • Britannica

8. Butterick begins selling graded sewing patterns

   Jan 1, 1863Labels: Ebenezer Butterick, Graded patterns

   • Hagley
   • Encyclopedia com

9. Butterick launches fashion magazines tied to patterns

   Jan 1, 1867Labels: Butterick, Fashion magazines

   • Hagley
   • Wikipedia

10. McCall enters the pattern market

    Jan 1, 1870Labels: James McCall, McCall patterns

    • Wikipedia
    • Wikipedia

11. Sales surge under licensing system during the 1870s

    Jan 1, 1873Labels: Licensing system, 1870s sales

    • Mill Museum
    • Smithsonian

12. Sewing Machine Combination ends as key patents expire

    Jan 1, 1877Labels: Patent expiry, Post-combination

    • Wikipedia
    • Mill Museum

13. Ready-made clothing becomes a larger share of U.S. output

    Jan 1, 1890Labels: Ready-made clothing, Mass apparel

    • Wikipedia
    • Encyclopedia com