The Connection Between Vacuums and Sewing Machiness

[rohmell]

Many, many of the small, Mom-and-Pop stores that sell and service vacuums also do the same for sewing machines, at least in my area.

What is the connection between the two?

Is it because both have motors and are used in the home?

I collect vacuums, but also have an interest in sewing machines.
I prefer the HA-1 style of imported Japanese machines.

Does anyone else have a sewing machine collection in addition to their vacuum collection?

 

[caligula]

I've wondered about this for years.

I think the connection is the Singer company who made both sewing machines and vacuum cleaners. And while I don't have a sweing machine collection, do have a non electric cabinet tredel style from 1905. It was made by the 'Home' Sewing Machine company and was my grandmothers.

 

[eurekaprince]

Yes...I have often wondered the same thing. Could it be that both sewing and cleaning were tasks that housewives had to do outside of the kitchen and laundry room? The motors were often the same size and the target market was identical for both machines. Both machines required belts and lightbulbs - in fact, some upright vacuums used the same headlight bulbs as sewing machines.

Beyond Singer Sewing Centres selling both sewing machines and vacuums, Sears department stores also paired the two Kenmore products together and even the sales teams worked to sell both products.

Other companies producing both vacuums and sewing machines: Brother of Japan, Tacony/Riccar/Simplicity of Japan, Electrolux/Husqvarna of Sweden. The Shark/EuroPro vacuum company started out in Montreal, Canada by importing lightweight European sewing machines and then spread out to making the Shark hand vac and cordless sweeper.

On the same theme, I think even General Electric attempted a sewing machine line at some point.

 

[kirbysthebest]

Usually the same target market

By having both at one location, it was easier to cross sell.  When someone came in to get something for the sewing machine, they get shown the newest vacuum.  Come in for a belt for your vacuum, look you glance at the new features on the latest sewing machines.


 


 

 

[rohmell]

Perhaps These Sewing Ideas Can be Applied To Vacuuming?

 

[louvac]

Owning a sewing machine...and our fascination with them

It was necessary to own a sewing machine in days gone past because it was customary for a housewife to make clothes for herself and the children as it was more cost effective. Store bought clothing was generally considered a luxury. Men on the other hand, went to a tailor to have a suit made, as well as dress shirts and dress trousers. At the least, if a woman wasn't a sewer, she would have a need to mend a garment rather than replace it. Money wasn't plentiful in those days and it was more affordable to repair things. So, a sewing machine was considered a necessary item much like an iron was. It was how you cared for clothes, or made them. My own mother repaired many items of clothing for everyone but yet she wasn't a sewer per se. She could mend a seam, re-attached the ribbon end on a bed blanket, shorten her dress or lengthen it, put darts in, and more.

As a kid, I was likewise fascinated with how a sewing machine operated and therefore I would sneak a try at it when no one was around. I also would watch my mother or grandmother when they were using it. It was better than TV! It had a motor, ran by electricity, had it's own sound along with smells, and had many buttons and levers. What more could a boy as for? As a result I started to learn how to mend seams on my own and the like. Now as an adult, I can hold my own as far as it is concerned with sewing. I have several machine and recently purchased a Janome electronic model. I can tailor men's dress pants including taking in and letting out the back, hemming, and tapering the leg. It was also common in those days to "turn collars" when they wore. This meant removing the collar on a men's shirt and turning it around and re-attaching it. I had learned how to make curtains and drapes, table cloths and the like. It's another hobby that I enjoy-running the machine as well as working on it or repairing one.

Sewing machines also lend themselves to those who are creative and enjoy a sense of accomplishment. I love to buy a pair of pants on the clearance rack at Kohls for often times less than $5. Usually you do not get a very wide selection of sizes or lengths. If they are long (which I do buy deliberately) all I have to so is cut the cuff off, measure and sew to the proper length that I wear. This eliminates having to rip out the hem first before you can re-measure.

Sewing machines I think along with vacuum cleaners create a sense of order for those of us who like things ordered. They make things like new again--clean the carpet, fix the pant to like new again. Or another way of looking at it, things that are mechanical in nature fascinate some minds. Vacuum cleaners and sewing machines and mixers all accomplish a task. There is a beginning (purpose) and an end result.

 

[louvac]

Owning a sewing machine...and our fascination with them

It was necessary to own a sewing machine in days gone past because it was customary for a housewife to make clothes for herself and the children as it was more cost effective. Store bought clothing was generally considered a luxury. Men on the other hand, went to a tailor to have a suit made, as well as dress shirts and dress trousers. At the least, if a woman wasn't a sewer, she would have a need to mend a garment rather than replace it. Money wasn't plentiful in those days and it was more affordable to repair things. So, a sewing machine was considered a necessary item much like an iron was. It was how you cared for clothes, or made them. My own mother repaired many items of clothing for everyone but yet she wasn't a sewer per se. She could mend a seam, re-attached the ribbon end on a bed blanket, shorten her dress or lengthen it, put darts in, and more.

As a kid, I was likewise fascinated with how a sewing machine operated and therefore I would sneak a try at it when no one was around. I also would watch my mother or grandmother when they were using it. It was better than TV! It had a motor, ran by electricity, had it's own sound along with smells, and had many buttons and levers. What more could a boy as for? As a result I started to learn how to mend seams on my own and the like. Now as an adult, I can hold my own as far as it is concerned with sewing. I have several machine and recently purchased a Janome electronic model. I can tailor men's dress pants including taking in and letting out the back, hemming, and tapering the leg. It was also common in those days to "turn collars" when they wore. This meant removing the collar on a men's shirt and turning it around and re-attaching it. I had learned how to make curtains and drapes, table cloths and the like. It's another hobby that I enjoy-running the machine as well as working on it or repairing one.

Sewing machines also lend themselves to those who are creative and enjoy a sense of accomplishment. I love to buy a pair of pants on the clearance rack at Kohls for often times less than $5. Usually you do not get a very wide selection of sizes or lengths. If they are long (which I do buy deliberately) all I have to so is cut the cuff off, measure and sew to the proper length that I wear. This eliminates having to rip out the hem first before you can re-measure.

Sewing machines I think along with vacuum cleaners create a sense of order for those of us who like things ordered. They make things like new again--clean the carpet, fix the pant to like new again. Or another way of looking at it, things that are mechanical in nature fascinate some minds. Vacuum cleaners and sewing machines and mixers all accomplish a task. There is a beginning (purpose) and an end result.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

In college, one of my majors was Theatre.

WE HAD to learn to do everything from sets to lights, to costumes. WE were taught by a tailor. Then, I worked for a tailor. I have a friend, (she can do almost anything), who really taught me what to do. It helped me make NUMEROUS costumes for my students, (Christmas elves, etc). I've made curtains for my home, tablecloths, etc. I'd love to work on men's clothes, but am not quite that brave, yet. The good thing is that I;m not really afraid to 'tackle anything'. .. well, most things.
I bought a Singer machine. It's fine for me. I appreciate those who can really sew well. I always found it odd,as a child,how cleaners and sewing machines were linked. But, it DOES make sense.
My late brother was in the Navy. He was 'borrowed' to make parachutes. When he and his wife built a home in Colts Neck, NJ, he thought: "If I can make a parachute, I sure as heck can make a drape". So, he made drapes for the entire house.

I admire all of that.

 

[vacerator]

Well,

once, long ago, in another life, I knew a male seamstress who sewed gowns for cross dresser shows.

 

[eurekaprince]

Another angle: many of the young men and women who immigrated to New York and Montreal from Eastern Europe at the beginning of the 1900's ended up spending long days in garment factories to earn a living. My grandparents' generation knew their way around a sewing machine for sure!

Grandma Molly always shortened my new pants and jeans on her old sewing machine, and even with her aging eyesight, she was still able to get thread through the small eye of a needle. Arthritis did not stop her...

 

[tolivac]

I have a small collection of sewing machines I bought from the Sew&Vac place-trade ins for newer machines.also a Singer complete with its desk-a "Rocket" model in perfect condition from a yard sale.Works GREAT!!!Mike and I fixed it up.Needed only minor cleaning and lube.Learned a lot on how these machines work-and "timing" the needle meeting the "hook" on the shuttle at the right time.Haven't had any sewing lessons-do make drapes and such on occasion-but not clothes.Sometime would like lessons.Mike is not a "sewer" but a repair tech-and great one at that.

 

[vacerator]

Yes Brian,

children did work in mills and textile sweatshops before labor laws. Whatever work for whatever ages at what ever very low wages.

 

[mjm0424]

Sewing machines

I remember the Sears store on 62nd & Western Ave. in Chicago,having the vacuums, & sewing machines together,on the first floor .The patterns,& the material,however where on the third floor. My mom was an excellent seamstress. There wasn't anything she couldn't do. She made all of her clothes,drapes,& kitchen curtains,as well as her nurse's uniforms.The store sizes didn't fit right,as she was buxom with an hourglass figure. She was a size 10,but she'd have to get a 16, & alter it,so it was easier to make it on the sewing machine.She also altered all of the clothes,that my aunt gave me after my cousin outgrew them.We had a Kenmore sewing machine from 1966. I bought her a new one for christmas in 1978. I still have it.

 

[suckomatic]

I do!

I "accidentally" started collecting sewing machines about 4yrs ago.
I already had a gorgeous 60s Japanese machine for which I had a secret unnatural love. It runs like a Rolls Royce built by Swiss angels. (You know what I'm talking about.)
I wanted to try my hand at auto upholstery, and I didn't want to spend the money on an industrial machine. As you know, those beautiful old iron beasts can sew thru a 2X4.
Of course I didn't want to hurt my pride & joy sewing vinyl, so I needed another one.
While I was looking, I figured I might as well get one with style, right?
Three machines later, in a near panic that I might have been losing my mind,I had to force myself to stop buying them! They're all so cool!
They're like the love-child of a classic car and a fine old clock.
...that can hem your pants, make curtains, and restore upholstery.
I collect old clocks too.
And old cars, come to think of it.
Perhaps we're just drawn to the marriage of fine vintage styling and precision machinery.

 

[tolivac]

I have one of those Singer "Rocket" machines shown in picture#3.It came with the desk.Found it at a yard sale.Works GREAT!!!
For sewing vinyl and similar things a "walking foot" machine is the best-Vinyl is hard for the regular feed dogs on a machine to "grab" because the vinyl is sort of slippery.Yes,besides vacuums-like sewing machines and other appliances.I would like mechanical clocks,too-but those are getting so expensive.But what is greatabout them-esp weight powered ones---no batteries to replace!!!

 

[hygiene903]

Sew/Vac Connections

I had always wondered about this myself. Besides Singer, several other companies sold and serviced both vacuum cleaners and sewing machines, including Electro-Hygiene, where I worked in 1974 and again in 1976. Although I never sold sewing machines myself, I was often asked to pick up or deliver a sewing machine while I was out selling vacuum cleaners. I also had some training in the service department on both vacs and sewing machines. The Electro-Hygiene sewing machine was made by Brother, and was offered in two models: a low priced basic model, and a deluxe model that had an automatic buttonholer, design cams, and many other features.
Another store about 3 blocks away from us sold Royal vacuums and White sewing machines. And as others have mentioned here, I have also noticed that department stores such as Sears, Wards, O'Neil's, and J.C. Penney usually have their vacuum cleaners and sewing machines side by side, and mail order catalogs such as Aldens, Spiegel, and Wards always had the vacuum cleaners on the pages immediately before or after the sewing machines. But I still don't quite get why they paired them up.
Jeff

 

[rugsucker]

Vacuums & Sewing Machines

Don't forget Atlas.

 

[chad]

Well, not trying to stereotype, but.... If you have the ladies in the shop anyhow, why not try to make another sale? You can only sell so many vacuum cleaners to one person. That's why I always figured they were paired.

 

[eurekaprince]

It just dawned on me! Now I know why vacmakers offered little sewing kits and tape measures in the shape of some of their canisters! Hoover and GE offered these cute little promo items....