The evolution of sewing

Sewing is a precision-oriented task that many may misconstrue as one that requires little skill.

However, a closer look into the task is, indeed, an eye opener for many.

All over the world, sewing is a universal practice that dates back to prehistoric times, beginning from the time our prehistoric ancestors made use of animal fur to warm their bodies from freezing cold temperatures at nighttime and the stifling heat of the sun during the daytime.

They mended animal skin by using crude and sharp materials to cut, shape and sew the animal fur to cover their skin from the elements.

As time passed and the world gradually progressed, so did sewing, which evolved to constant changes in processes, methods, designs and equipment.

From what started only as needle and thread, it slowly progressed to one of complex machinery and mass production that not only revolutionized the concept of sewing.

Today, the application and the various methods of sewing is an integral part of a multi-billion industry that has shaped the lives of many, with millions of stories to tell of sweet success and devastating failures.

But let us first try to define and know the basics of sewing.

Sewing is basically the process of stitching fabric, furs, bark, leather, as well as other flexible materials with the use of a needle and thread, which is intended to mend together multiple pieces of these materials to form a particular pattern.

One of the basic sewing practices is hand-sewing, which is primarily done to create or repair garments and clothing, either for home use or for decorative purposes.

More complex sewing jobs like making clothes is done using a sewing machine, which can provide speed and ease of the stitching process.

There are two traditional sewing machines, one is the much older and traditional foot-driven sewing machine, which is run by using a foot pedal that controls and facilitates the rotation of a series of wheels that drive the movements of a needle that is thread-fed.

Another one is the more convenient electric sewing machine, which is today one of the most common ones used and is run by an electric motor with variable speeds.

There are also portable or hand-controlled battery-powered sewing and stitching machines available on the market.
Although sewing can be a bit more similar with the other, specific techniques for one particular method varies differently on how it is done.

There are methods that may not be appropriate for some applications, like when working on an embroidery stitch called the French knot can be very easy if the hand is used, but is impossible when using a sewing machine, also in the same way with patterns that can be done or made by a machine but impossible when done by hand.