“One of the Few Useful Things Ever Invented”

Kathy Keyi Jia-Jones

Does this machine look familiar to you? Have you ever used a sewing machine?

It’s worth noting that today, back in 1851, Isaac Singer patented his version of the sewing machine—a device so impactful that Gandhi called it “one of the few useful things ever invented.” Although Singer built on an earlier French design, his version changed how people worked with fabric at the time.

I can vouch for its usefulness. As a teenager, I had the pleasure of learning to sew—both by hand and machine—with my grandma in China. Our sewing machine was reliable; it was much faster at zipping through straight lines and finishing a pair of pants, but nothing beat the artistry of my grandma’s hand-sewn and embroidered pieces.

Still, I applaud all inventions that make life easier—sewing machines, dishwashers, and washing machines, to name a few. These conveniences weren’t widely available in China until the country opened up in the late ’70s. Interestingly, today, many Singer machines are manufactured in China and Vietnam.

You might wonder, with so many ready-made clothes available, who is still sewing these days? You may be surprised to learn that the global sewing machine market was valued at a whopping $6.8 billion in 2023! In today’s climate, where budgets are tight, sewing is a great way to combine creativity, craftsmanship, and economical spending.