AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 109 



REPORT ON SEWING MACHINES. 



We, the undersigned, judsccs on Sewing Machines, appointed by the Managers of 

 the Thirty-first j/nnunl Fair of the American Institute, held at the Palace 

 Garden, in the city of New York, October, 1859, beg leave to report: 



That "we have carefully examined the articles submitted to our inspection, con- 

 sisting mainly of machines for the purpose of sewing; and in the case of these 

 machines, with especial reference to qualities of construction and working, and the 

 character of the work done by them severally. 



That, apart from the minor differences which help to give individuality to each 

 of these machines, we find other wide and essential differences between them, in 

 some or all the particulars above referred to, and to such an extent, as, for most 

 practical purposes, to warrant our grouping them in a certain number of classes. 



That, therefore, in our opinion, any award as to the merits of these machines, 

 taken promiscuously, and without reference to their leading features of agreement 

 or difference, must not only fail to convey any really useful information to the pur- 

 chasers of sewing machines, who are, in reality, the parties most interested in our 

 decision, bu" could hardly do justice to the exhibiters, whose several claims could 

 not thus be properly respected. 



That, being convinced that the features of prime importance in any machine of 

 this kind, are those directly connected with the method of making the stitch, and 

 the elasticity, permanence, beauty, and general desirableness of the stitching 

 when done; and that the purposes of purchasing make it desirable also, that we 

 should discriminate in regard to the kinds of fabric for which the several machines 

 are intended ; we have, therefore, classified those submitted to our examination 

 under the four following heads : 



1. Shuttle or lock-stitch machines, for family and light manufacturing purposes. 



2. Shuttle or lock-stitch machines, for heavy and general manufacturing pur- 

 poses. 



3. Double chain-stitch machines, for family and light or heavy manufacturing 

 purposes, according to size. 



4. Single thread, or tambour-stitch machine, for family and light work generally. 

 That, having thus classified these machines, we have been guided in coming to a 



decision upon their comparative merits, by observing the degree in which they 

 severally receive, or fail to receive the good qualities of the stitch above named, 

 and also by considering the simplicity, strength, quietness and accuracy of work- 

 ing of the machinery; the ease of working, and especially the practicable speed, 

 which, when combined in the highest degree, give the greatest economy of the 

 power, i. e., of the strength of the operator; the number of kinds of thread used, 

 and the facility of using them; the kin]s of work done, and of fabric successfully 

 worked; and, so far as that came within our province, the general good quality of 

 the work done; together with some other points entering into the conception of a 

 perfect se .\ ing machine, which our space does not suffice to mention. 



That, along with certainty of working, variety of kinds of work done, and 

 facility of passing from one of these to another, we have estimated two points to 

 be of especial importance, whether for family or manufacturing works, namely: 

 1. j4 high practicable speed, enabling the operator to turn off work with rapidity, 

 if desirable; 2. Freedom oi^ the stitching, when finished, from projecting on either 

 side of the fabric — a result that, where it occurs, must, in our opinion, usually 



