Black and white photograph of a section of the interior of the Handschin and Ronus factory in Switzerland (the parent company of Hanro), depicting a woman working at a machine that is winding a large number of bobbins from large skeins of yarn that are fitted onto frames above the bobbinsorganization, business, hanro, clothing manufacturing, hanro , handschin and ronus

Photograph: black and white photo of four men posing with clothes rack behind, and item of clothing in hands of two men on LH side, appears to be a mohair type jumper.unknownorganization, business, hanro, hanro, bendigo, clothing, manufacturing

Post WW2 Navy CommodoreBlack Material Waist Coat. Satin inner lining. Four Gold Buttons. Two small pockets to front. Black cotton rear to waist coat. Adjustable strap to rear with metal Buckle. Clothing manufactures lable to left hand inside. Coller. C.G.C.F. And Made in Australia. And R.A.N.Manufactures Lables.uniform royal australian navy

Photograph: black and white photo of man and woman posing in cable knit pullover. On top of photo '504 men's pullover, 0/212 ladies pullover no. 147'Hanroorganization, business, hanro, hanro, bendigo, manufacturing, clothing, samples

Wooden glove stretchers were used in the early 1900s in the production and manufacturing of leather gloves to stretch the finger inserts in gloves and gauntlets. Long wooden object, comprising two shafts joined at centre with metal ball and hinge. Both wooden shafts have decorative linework engraved at centre point. Approximately 25cm in length.glove stretcher, haberdashery, manufacturing, clothing accessory, tool, glovemaking, early 20th century

Article written by H H Bell, MMTB Chairman at the time of his retirement - Herald, 28 Sep 1949. Looks at his work on the HTT and the MMTB, achievements, workshops, manufacture of parts and equipment, work during the Second World War, clothing manufacture, Wattle Park and a clock funded by a lady who enjoyed the park. Includes a photo of SW6 883 and the Kew Horse tram. Yields information about Hector Bell MMTB ChairmanDigital image of a photocopy of a newspaper article titled 'The Story of my trams - H H Bell"h h bell, retirement, mmtb, wattle park, world war 2, tram 883

This box which once contained linen thread manufactured in Scotland and labelled "British" manufacture" was used for the repair/manufacture of clothing by professional seamstresses and those wives required to "do" repair stitching of family clothes. This box was manufactured in a period when the title "United Kingdom" was used (late 1700's early 1900's) to describe the union of Britain and Scotland. The label however can be misleading as the"British Manufacture" thread was manufactured in Scotland. The broad term "British Manufacture" was used for the benefit of those in the "colonies" of Australia and New Zealand, during a period when the "coined" phrase "best of British, or British best" was synonymous to "top quality". After World War II the need for "cheaper products" was more persuasive than the quality of the product. In rural areas this shift to cheaper "non British" goods was at a slower rate than in the cities. Goods such as clothing manufactured or altered by seamstresses were regarded as of a higher standard and therefor the use of linen thread from "Britain" was a sign of quality and reliability.This box which contained linen thread, "British" made, is very significant to the Kiewa Valley because it demonstrates the conditions under which households in the late 1800's and early 1900's evolved from a "domestic repair /replacement" of damaged clothing to a consumer of recycled and shop bought clothing and linen. The ability of semi isolated rural based families to purchase "off the rack" clothing was severely affected by weather, long distance over dirt roads(poorly serviced) to large towns(shops), horse/cart or slower driven cars. The purchasing of clothing was, on the whole, from trading house "mail order" consignment orders.This red paper covered box has a white covered lid (top) with black print detailing the manufacturer and contents. This box contained 150 yds of linen thread 2 cord. A small added note pasted on one side "USUAL TWIST (s)" describing the thread's appearance. Two semicircular "finger" holes on two sides of the lid permit easier removal of the lid from the base.On the top lid: "W.&J. KNOX'S" below this a crest with latin motive "MOVEO ET PROFICIOR" English translation "I proceed and am more prosperous" encircling an open winged falcon. below this "LINEN THREAD", "2 CORD." "WARRANTED" "150 Yds." Made from Flax." British Manufacture". On one side "DRABS SOFT FINISH" within a shield "KNOX'S TWO CORD 150 YARDS 30" next to this a trade mark "W & J KNOX below this "made in KILBIRNIE, SCOTLAND"thread, cord. flax, box container, linen thread, seamstress items, cardboard box

As the market gardeners and new settlers became more prosperous they were able to purchase manufactured clothing. Hilton Hosiery Pty Ltd manufactured stockings and lingerie at its Fitzroy factory from 1936.Early settlers and market gardeners established their families in Moorabbin Shire and this item shows the development of the textile factories in Melbourne as population and wealth increased. Hilton Hosiery Pty Ltd commenced business in 1936 A lady’s, silk slip with embroidery on bodice and hem mid 20th CLabel ' HILTON / Size 14/ 'melbourne, clothing, brighton, moorabbin, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork, fitzroy, textiles, factories, hilton hosiery pty ltd

This pin cushion was in use when home spun "fashion" clothing was manufactured or altered. When this item was used it was in a period when distances from haberdashery stores was too far and mail ordered clothing would take weeks to arrive.The ability to make and alter clothing for families within the Kiewa Valley and its regions was a domestic requirement up until the later period(1960's onwards)This pin cushion, although rarely used in the 21st Century, with the availability of "cheap" throw away clothes, was very important to a well run rural household. The emphasis for girls to be able to sew and repair clothing was generated by mothers and continued at high schools. Part of the role of women(in this time frame) within the family was to manufacture children's clothing and adjust the growing waistline of their men folk. This item is very significant to the rural households in the Kiewa Valley because of the relative isolation of the region and the amount of wear and tear that clothes go through in a typical rural environment.This pin cushion is "home" made, circular and covered in a blue floral material, encircled with a light blue ribbon (glued on) for extra adhesion. The material encloses a padded surface(allows pins to be safely inserted for storage(future use).sewing, pin-cushion, haberdashery

Card clothing sample manufactured by Samuel Law and Sons, Cleckheaton and probably sent to the Collins Bros Mill at the same time as W621. Card clothing is defined as 'the leather or other stiff material which holds the wire staples, the points of which project outwardly and form the carding teeth which operated on the fibres.' This fits into a carding machine ("The Textile Industries" vol. 8 - William S. Murphy, 1911).Card clothing sample, comprising rows of bent wires mounted on a thick rectangular leather base. Wrapped in tissue printed with an engraving of the factory where it was made and housed in an olive green lidded cardboard box, the interior of which is printed with an image of the manufacturer's factory.SAMUEL LAW & SONS, / Manufacturers all kinds Card Clothing. / Moorland Mills. / CLECKHEATON, England. SAMPLE OF CARD CLOTHING / FROM / SAMUEL LAW & SONS, / (branch of the English Card Clothing Company, Limited). / CLECKEATON. / MOORLAND MILLSsamuel law and sons collins bros mill pty ltd, carding, card clothing

Black and white photograph of Women's Sewing Group manufacturing clothing for Boer War Military (Australian). Packages, sewing machines, chairs in foreground, ladies in middle ground, materials against panelled walls in background. Mounted on fawn board. Inscriptions: GP12 at top corners in Indian ink. In blue/black ink, on top front of board. 'Bendigo Women's Sewing Circle During the Boer War'. On back - stamped in green ink, in circle 'Royal Historical Society of Victoria, Bendigo Branch'. In Indian ink '1137'. In grey lead 'Boer War', 'Bendigo Women Making clothing for Boer Australian contingent'.person, group, women

David Fletcher Jones commenced his tailoring and hawking business in the 1920’s. The business expanded through the decades to become the main manufacturing employer in the city of Warrnambool. The business moved from Liebig Street around 1947 to a site in East Warrnambool which was once an old quarry. The factory which was built at “Pleasant Hill” manufactured quality clothing, initially men’s trousers, suits which expanded in later times to include ladies’ wear. A network of stores was opened throughout Australia to sell the garments. A common item linked to a significant business and personality of Warrnambool.Fletcher Jones Factory held a significant place in the economic development of the city. The Fletcher Jones Gardens remain a significant landmark in the cityBlack plastic coat hanger with metal hook. Fletcher Jones in gold lettering below the hook.warrnambool, fletcher jones, pleasant hill, fletcher jones gardens, coathanger

This suit was made to order in 1975 for Ted Henry at a Fletcher Jones factory, probably the one in Warrnambool. The other items were obtained at the same time. David Fletcher Jones began his business by opening shops in Liebig Street Warrnambool in the 1920s. His Man's Shop sold suits and overcoats and manufactured men's clothing on site. In 1946 a Fletcher Jones shop was opened in Melbourne and a factory was opened in Warrnambool in 1948. The Fletcher Jones and Staff Company expanded and became well known throughout Australia for the quality of its men's and women's clothing. The Company ceased business in 2011. The surname "Henry" is well known in Warrnambool and district. These items are important mementoes of Fletcher Jones and Staff one of the most significant Australian businesses originating in Warrnambool..1 Carry bag, oblong shaped made of pale orange cloth with full length white zip and dark brown edging and stitching It has a maker's label on the interior. .2 Black plastic clothes hanger with suit maker's name and logo .3 Silk and cotton tie in black, beige and tan broad stripes. It has two labels attached. .4 Man's trousers. The trousers are made of wool and polyester woven pattern in brown. grey and tan. There is a metal zip, The pockets have cream cloth lining . There are two labels. There are loops for a belt. .5 Man's suit coat made of the same material as the trousers (above). It has three butttons on each sleeve and two on the front. It is fully lined with brown cloth and cream lining on the sleeves. It has a maker's label. There is some padding in the shoulders. There are two internal pockets and three on the exterior.Celsius 30 A woolblendmark fabric developed for summer 80% new wool 20% polyester Henry L. 30.6.75 654 silk 35% cotton MADE IN ENGLAND.ted henry, fletcher jones and staff company, fletcher jones factory warrnambool, men's clothing

These thread spools come from the Fletcher Jones Factory in Warrnambool. They would have been used in the sewing and manufacture of the men's and ladies' garments made at the factory. The Fletcher Jones factory was established by David Fletcher Jones in 1948. David Fletcher Jones (1895-1977) set up as a travelling hawker selling drapery in the Western District in the 1920s. In the same decade he opened a shop in Warrnambool manufacturing men's clothing, specialising in the production of men's trousers. In 1946 a Fletcher Jones shop was opened in Melbourne and a company, Fletcher Jones and Staff, was established in 1951. The company expanded to manufacturing both men's and women's clothing, opening outlets in all States and becoming well-known Australia-wide. The company was dissolved in 2011 and the Warrnambool factory was sold.These items are of interest as a memento of the Fletcher Jones Factory and the Fletcher Jones company, one of the most important businesses ever established in Warrnambool and certainly one of the most cherished by the local Warrnambool community..1 A wooden stand with upright spikes holding 11 spools containing coloured thread (various colours). The threads are on blue and black plastic reels. .2 A wooden stand with upright spikes holding 16 spools containing coloured thread (various colours). The threads are on blue and black plastic reels.fletcher jones and staff pty ltd, fletcher jones factory warrnambool

This piece of cloth came from the Fletcher Jones factory in Warrnambool. David Fletcher Jones (1895-1977) served in the First World War and in the 1920s set up as a travelling hawker selling drapery in the Western District of Victoria. In 1924 he leased three shops in Liebig Street, Warrnambool and in 1928 he moved to the Koroit/Liebig Streets intersection with his Man’s Shop. He manufactured men’s clothing on site. In 1931 he moved the business into a new two-storeyed building on the site. He opened a Fletcher Jones shop in Melbourne in 1946 and in 1948 a factory was established in Warrnambool. In 1951 the business of Fletcher Jones and Staff was established. The company expanded and became known Australia- wide, firstly for the production of men’s trousers and later both men’s and women’s clothing. By 2011 the Warrnambool factory was sold and the company was dissolved. This piece of material is of interest as an example of the cloth used in the Fletcher Jones factory in Warrnambool. The Fletcher Jones clothing company, known Australia-wide, was one of the important industries based in Warrnambool in the 20th and early 21st centuryThis is a bolt of check corded material in grey and blue tonings. It is stained in various places.fletcher jones clothing stores, warrnambool, history of warrnambool

This pair of jeans comes from the Fletcher Jones factory in Warrnambool. David Fletcher Jones (1895-1977) served in World War One and in the 1920s set up as a travelling hawker selling drapery in the Western District of Victoria. In 1924 he leased three shops in Liebig Street Warrnambool and in 1928 he moved the business to the corner of Koroit and Liebig Streets with his Man’s Shop. He manufactured men’s clothing on site. In 1931 a new set of buildings was erected on the site and Fletcher Jones moved into the new building. In 1946 a Fletcher Jones shop was opened in Melbourne and in 1948 a factory was opened in Warrnambool with a new company Fletcher Jones and Staff established in 1951. This company became known Australia-wide, firstly for the production of men’s trousers and later for both men’s and women’s clothing. By 2011 the factory was sold and the company dissolved. These jeans are retained as an example of the clothing made at the Warrnambool Fletcher Jones factory. The Fletcher Jones clothing company was one of the most important businesses in Warrnambool in the 20th century. This is a pair of blue cotton jeans pants with yellow stitching and a metal zip The garment has four pockets. The back pocket has the maker’s label and there are two labels attached to the inside. The front inside top section is lined with white material. ‘Fletcher Jones Australia’fletcher jones clothing company, history of warrnambool

This sports coat was made at a Fletcher Jones factory about the 1970s. David Fletcher Jones (1895-1977) served in World War One and in the 1920s set up as a travelling hawker selling drapery in Western Victoria. In 1924 he leased three shops in Liebig Street, Warrnambool and in 1928 opened his Man's Shop at the intersection of Koroit/Liebig Streets. He manufactured men's clothing on site in a new building erected in 1931. In 1946 a Fletcher Jones shop was opened in Melbourne and in 1948 a factory was established in Warrnambool with a new company Fletcher Jones and Staff established in 1951.This company then operated in other States and known Australia-wide firstly for its production of men's trousers and later for men's and women's clothing. By 2011 the Warrnambool factory was closed and the company dissolved. This coat was bought by Lew Officer, a member of a family with pastoral interests in the Western District.This item is of considerable historical interest as an example of the high quality work produced by the Fletcher Jones and Staff Clothing Stores. This company was a key industry in Warrnambool in the 20th centuryThis is a man's sports coat made of Harris tweed hand woven in the Outer Hebrides made from Scottish-grown wool. The checked material is in brown tonings. The coat has a brown material lining and there are two brown buttons down the front and two on each sleeve. The collar has a grey felt lining.fletcher jones clothing stores, warrnambool, harris tweed jacket, lew officer

These shorts come from the Fletcher Jones clothing factory in Warrnambool. They have never been worn. David Fletcher Jones (1895-1977) served in World War One and in the 1920s set up as a travelling hawker selling drapery in the Western District of Victoria. In 1924 he leased three shops in Liebig Street Warrnambool and in 1928 he moved his business to the corner of Koroit and Liebig Streets. He manufactured men’s clothing on site with the business known as the Men’s Shop. In 1931 he moved into a newly-erected two-storeyed building on the site. In 1946 he opened a store in Melbourne and in 1948 he established a clothing factory in Warrnambool with a new company set up in 1951 – Fletcher Jones and Staff. This company became known Australia-wide with its production, firstly of men’s trousers and later both men’s and women’s clothing. By 2011 the factory was closed and the company dissolved. These shorts are of interest as an example of an item made at the Fletcher Jones factory in Warrnambool. The Fletcher Jones Clothing Company, known throughout Australia, was one of the most important industries in Warrnambool in the 20th century. These men’s shorts are made of polyester and viscose and are light brown in colour. They have an elasticised waist band with five buttons and a corded lining, three pockets and a nylon zip front opening with a metal fastener. The shorts have two labels stitched into the inside of the garment and one paper label attached to the shorts by a nylon clip. ‘Fletcher Jones Australia’fletcher jones factory, history of warrnambool

This waistcoat was made for Mr Alan Vinnell by the Fletcher Jones Man’s Shop in 1946 and was worn by Mr Vinnell at his wedding in Lang Lang on 27/4/1946 to Miss Madge Ridgway. Alan was the son of Albert Vinnell and Ada Rose Wood. He attended school in Macarthur about 40 kilometres northwest of Warrnambool. The Fletcher Jones Man’s Shop was located at the corner of Liebig and Koroit Streets in Warrnambool. David Fletcher Jones (1895-1977) served in World War One and in the 1920s set up as a travelling hawker selling drapery in Western Victoria. In 1924 he leased three shops in Liebig Street and in 1928 he moved to the Koroit/Liebig Streets intersection with his Man’s Shop. He manufactured men’s clothing on site. In 1931 a new set of two-storeyed buildings was erected on the site and Fletcher Jones moved into the building. In 1946 a Fletcher Jones shop was opened in Melbourne and in 1948 a factory was established in Raglan Parade, Warrnambool with a new company, Fletcher Jones and Staff established in 1951. This company became known Australia-wide, firstly for the production of men’s trousers, and later men’s and women’s clothing. By 2011 the Warrnambool factory was sold and the company dissolved. This waistcoat is of historical interest as an example of the high quality work produced at the Fletcher Jones Man’s Shop in Warrnambool in the mid 1940s. The Fletcher Jones business became one of the most important ones in Warrnambool in the 20th century and the early 21st century.This is a sleeveless woollen waistcoat made of blue striped material with a black cotton backing. The back has two black cotton flaps with a metal buckle to allow for the tightening of the coat across the back. The inside is lined with a cream, yellow and grey striped cotton material. The waistcoat has one inside pocket with a button enclosure and four outside pockets. The waistcoat has six black buttons on the outside and a maker’s label stitched on the inside. ‘Fletcher Jones The Man’s Shop Warrnambool Mr A. Vinnell Date 15/2/46’fletcher jones man’s shop warrnambool, history of warrnambool, albert vinnell, vinnell

This cabin trunk was sold by Foy & Gibson, one of Australia's earliest department store chains. Foy & Gibson manufactured and sold clothing, manchester, leather goods, soft furnishings, hardware and food.A rectangular tin travelling trunk which was painted brown. It has rounded corners and a hinged lid which is dented. The front latch is missing. Inside the trunk it is painted red.Inside lid : ENTERPRISE Foy & Gibson COLLINGWOOD MELBOURNEluggage travel storage cabin-trunk

This item was bought by George Henry Douglas Russell when he married Hilda Raymond, a parson's daughter, in 1920. This galvanised metal wash tub was manufactured for domestic use prior to household plumbing, running water or waste removal in Australian homes. On farms in the late 19th / early 20th centuries there were no built-in coppers and concrete troughs with reticulated water. Thus the washing for the family of five daughters was done with this tub. .Tubs of this type vary in size and were used for washing dishes (It was the “ kitchen sink”) or for washing smaller items of clothing “the delicates”. This tub could also have been used to bathe the children. The water was heated on a wood fired stove, then carried to the tub. This could be a lengthy and physically demanding exercise. Much more labor intensive than loading the dishwasher. After use the water may have been “recycled”by being poured onto vegetable gardens and fruit trees. Later at harvesting this tub held maize and beans to top up the three bushel bags of the threshing machines. This was before the hand sewing of the top of the bags with needle and twine.This tub is an indication that items for domestic use in the early 20th century were “made to last” and not manufactured for planned obsolescence.A large galvanized iron was tub, circular with the sides tapering slightly to the flat base. It is seamed on both sides, made from two shets of iron. The base has been soldered on. and the top rim is folded. On either side handles are rivetted on.domestic laundry was-tub galvanized-iron

This item was worn by Marjorie Burton. Marjorie Burton ( nee Whiteman), born 12 June, in Birmingham, England came to Orbost in 1995. In England she did office work – typing, shorthand and secretarial work - in accountants’ offices and also trained as a comptometrist with Burroughs in London. She came from a middle-class, working, church-going family. Her mother was a milliner who made manyof Marjorie’s clothes, hats and outfits. Marjorie was married in 1938 to a salesman who later became a mechanic in the R.A.F. during WW11. Nylon is a thermoplastic silky material, first used commercially in a nylon-bristled toothbrush (1938), followed more famously by women's stockings ("nylons"; 1940) after being introduced as a fabric at the 1939 New York World's Fair. It was the world's first totally man-made fibre. Nylon fabric became important as a synthetic substitute for silk in the manufacture of parachutes when silk became scarce during WWII.This item is an example of one of the first pieces of women's clothing to be made commercially using nylon fabric.A white nylon slip with lace trim at the hemline, straps and middle front. It has yellow ribbons wheer straps attach at the front and at the bottom front opening.Label sewn to inside - Made from 100% B NYLON S 1272women's-clothing underwear nylon burton-marjorie

The Speedweve is a tiny darning loom advertised as ‘Lancashire’s smallest loom’. It was manufactured by E & A Chesstok Ltd of Rusholme, Manchester in 1947/48. It is basically a little loom for mending socks and holes in clothing. - This item was a common household item used a time when people still felt it worth the effort to darn socks.A metal Speedweve - a small darning tool.The slide at the top pushes back and forth making the 10 copper hooks rotate one way then the other. There would have been a wooden disc for keeping the fabric flat. top - SPEEDWEVEdomestic weaving loom

Stuart Hats commenced manufacturing hats in about 1948 and closed their factory in Orbost around 1953 probably because of the high transport costs. The company's head factory was in Melbourne. The hats made in Orbost were sold all over Australia as well as in Melbourne at Myers and David Jones. Orme Andrews Ladies' Wear was the only store in Orbost to stock the locally produced Stuart Hats. The building became first a Dry Cleaners and then a private home.Stuart Hats was a significant manufacturing business in Orbost in the 1950's employing nearly 20 local people.A woven straw hat with a wide brim. It is a natural colour with braid as a hat band. Inside are two sewn on pieces for a pink tie.millinery stuart-hats clothing accessories hats

A washboard is a tool designed for hand washing clothing that are soaked in hot soapy water in a wash tub or sink, then squeezed and rubbed against the ridged surface of the washboard to force the cleaning fluid through the cloth to carry away dirt. With the invent of mechanized cleaning of clothing becoming more common by with the use of washing machines by the end of the 20th century the washboard was soon discontinued. The traditional washboard is usually constructed with a rectangular wooden frame in which are mounted a series of ridges or corrugations for the clothing to be rubbed upon. For 19th-century washboards, the ridges were often of wood, sometimes glass and by the 20th century, ridges of metal became common The first "fluted" metal washboard was patented in the United States by Stephen Rust in 1833 and Zinc washboards were predominantly manufactured in the United States from the middle of the 19th century. A significant item for cleaning clothes still in use today in many countries giving a snapshot into the domestic life of a housewife into the 20th century.Washboard wooden frame with a ribbed glass sectionNonewarrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, washboard, glass ripples, clothes cleaning, washing, laundry

In 1867 the Singer Company decided that the demand for their sewing machines in the UK was sufficiently high to open a local factory. Glasgow was selected for its iron-making industries, cheap labour, and possibly because at the time the General Manager of the US Singer Sewing Machine Company was George McKenzie, who was of Scottish descent. The company obtained a lease on land near Queen Street Station and machinery and machine parts were shipped over from the US. Demand for sewing machines outstripped production at the new plant and by 1873 a new larger factory was completed near Bridgeton Cross. By now Singer employed over 2,000 people in Scotland but still, they could not produce enough machines. In 1882 George McKenzie, the soon to become President of the Singer Sewing Machine Company undertook the ground breaking ceremony on 46 acres of farmland at Kilbowie, Clydebank and the largest Singer factory in the world started to be built. Originally two main buildings were constructed. Built above the middle wing of the factory was a huge clock tower with the 'Singer' name displayed for all to see from miles around. Many miles of railway lines were laid throughout the factory to connect the different departments and to aid in the shipping of their goods. Railway lines from the factory connected Glasgow, Dumbarton, and Helensburgh stations. The factory was regarded as the most modern facility in Europe at that time. As different departments in the factory were completed, the workers moved from the old sites to the new one at Kilbowie and the factory was finally finished in 1885. With nearly a million square feet of space and almost 7,000 employees producing on average 13,000 machines a week, making it the largest sewing machine factory in the world. The Clydebank factory was so productive that in 1905 the US Singer Company set up the Singer Manufacturing Company Ltd. as a UK registered company. The invention of the sewing machine had several very significant impacts on the lives of many people. It changed the domestic life of many women as more households began to own sewing machines, women as the ones who traditionally stayed home to do chores including making and repairing clothing, found themselves with more free time. Previously several days a week would be dedicated to sewing clothing for herself and her family, a housewife could now complete her sewing in merely several hours, allowing for more free time to pursue hobbies and attain new skills. Sewing and clothing production, in general, became more industrialized activities, taking place less in the home and more in large factories. Industrial sewing machines, in combination with the cotton gin, the spinning jenny, and the steam engine, made clothing production much easier and much cheaper. Sewing machine, treadle operated, "Branded Premier" 5-7-9-2-0-0-" Serial Number Y6243048 (denotes 1922 year of manufacture) flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, sewing machine, hand operated, dressmaking, textile machinery, portable, premier sewing machine, premier, singer treadle sewing machine

In 1867 the Singer Company decided that the demand for their sewing machines in the UK was sufficiently high to open a local factory. Glasgow was selected for its iron-making industries, cheap labour, and possibly because at the time the General Manager of the US Singer Sewing Machine Company was George McKenzie, who was of Scottish descent. The company obtained a lease on land near Queen Street Station and machinery and machine parts were shipped over from the US. Demand for sewing machines outstripped production at the new plant and by 1873 a new larger factory was completed near Bridgeton Cross. By now Singer employed over 2,000 people in Scotland but still, they could not produce enough machines. In 1882 George McKenzie, the soon to become President of the Singer Sewing Machine Company undertook the ground breaking ceremony on 46 acres of farmland at Kilbowie, Clydebank and the largest Singer factory in the world started to be built. Originally two main buildings were constructed. Built above the middle wing of the factory was a huge clock tower with the 'Singer' name displayed for all to see from miles around. Many miles of railway lines were laid throughout the factory to connect the different departments and to aid in the shipping of their goods. Railway lines from the factory connected Glasgow, Dumbarton, and Helensburgh stations. The factory was regarded as the most modern facility in Europe at that time. As different departments in the factory were completed, the workers moved from the old sites to the new one at Kilbowie and the factory was finally finished in 1885. With nearly a million square feet of space and almost 7,000 employees producing on average 13,000 machines a week, making it the largest sewing machine factory in the world. The Clydebank factory was so productive that in 1905 the US Singer Company set up the Singer Manufacturing Company Ltd. as a UK registered company. The invention of the sewing machine had several very significant impacts on the lives of many people. It changed the domestic life of many women as more households began to own sewing machines, women as the ones who traditionally stayed home to do chores including making and repairing clothing, found themselves with more free time. Previously several days a week would be dedicated to sewing clothing for herself and her family, a housewife could now complete her sewing in merely several hours, allowing for more free time to pursue hobbies and attain new skills. Sewing and clothing production, in general, became more industrialized activities, taking place less in the home and more in large factories. Industrial sewing machines, in combination with the cotton gin, the spinning jenny, and the steam engine, made clothing production much easier and much cheaper. Singer sewing machine treadle type wooden stand with six drawers plus instruction manual Lotus decoration to machinewarrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, sewing-machine, clothes repair, singer sewing machine