Finger-operated Stitching Machine

[WestTN_reb]

I was recently shown a diagram of a "sewing machine" with 1850's provenance. It appeared to be a piece of thin metal bent on the end to hold a sewing machine needle. The operation of the device is with the finger (kinda like a telegraph), producing a chain stitch, and the pressure of pushing the thing down is what moves the cloth through it. Unfortunately, it will be some time before I am able to get a copy of the diagram because the owner lives two states away and I don't have his contact info.

This intrigued me, and I wondered if anyone else had seen or heard about this type of device. Many thanks for your time.

[Rev]

My grandmother had a little sewing machine called the Little Mother. (It is now my daughter's.) It operated in the same fashion, except that the motion was generated by a wheel turned by hand. The total length of the machine was about eight inches. My grandmother said that he mother owned a machine that they used to call the 'telegraph'. Perhaps it is the same type you are mentioning.

[WestTN_reb]

Quite possibly. The next time I see Dan, I'm going to see if I can get a copy of the diagram and instructions. I'll also see if he'll let me post them here.

[Rev]

And, Dyersburg is not far from where they lived!