Hemming bird
19th century
Acrylic, ink and paper on linen
18 x 18.2 x 2.7 cm / 7 1/8 x 7 1/8 x 1 1/8 in
This attractive and ingenious object would act as a ‘third hand’ when sewing a hem. Before the invention of the sewing machine all sewing was done by hand which was a long and laborious task. This object helped by keeping fabric taught in its mouth while hems were sewn. The clamp would attach to a table and the birds tail pressed to open its mouth to insert the fabric. This left both hands free to sew the hem. There was even a handy pincushion incorporated.
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