<P> James Edward Allen Gibbs (1829--1902), a farmer from Raphine in Rockbridge County, Virginia patented the first chain stitch single - thread sewing machine on June 2, 1857 . In partnership with James Willcox, Gibbs became a principal partner in Willcox & Gibbs Sewing Machine Company . Willcox & Gibbs commercial sewing machines are still used in the 21st century . </P> <P> William Jones started making sewing machines in 1859 and in 1860 formed a partnership with Thomas Chadwick . As Chadwick & Jones, they manufactured sewing machines at Ashton - under - Lyne, England until 1863 . Their machines used designs from Howe and Wilson produced under licence . Thomas Chadwick later joined Bradbury & Co . William Jones opened a factory in Guide Bridge, Manchester in 1869 . In 1893 a Jones advertising sheet claimed that this factory was the "Largest Factory in England Exclusively Making First Class Sewing Machines". The firm was renamed as the Jones Sewing Machine Co. Ltd and was later acquired by Brother Industries of Japan, in 1968 . </P> <P> Clothing manufacturers were the first sewing machine customers, and used them to produce the first ready - to - wear clothing and shoes . In the 1860s consumers began purchasing them, and the machines--ranging in price from £ 6 to £ 15 in Britain depending on features--became very common in middle - class homes . Owners were much more likely to spend free time with their machines to make and mend clothing for their families than to visit friends, and women's magazines and household guides such as Mrs Beeton's offered dress patterns and instructions . A sewing machine could produce a man's shirt in about one hour, compared to 14 1 / 2 hours by hand . </P> <P> In 1877 the world's first crochet machine was invented and patented by Joseph M. Merrow, then - president of what had started in the 1840s as a machine shop to develop specialized machinery for the knitting operations . This crochet machine was the first production overlock sewing machine . The Merrow Machine Company went on to become one of the largest American Manufacturers of overlock sewing machines and continues to be a global presence in the 21st century as the last American over-lock sewing machine manufacturer . </P>

When were sewing machines first used in the home